Gazals
I LOVE gazals. The first time I was really intrigued by a gazal was when I heard Jagjit Singh sing "Kal chaudhavin ki raat thi". I was struck by the sheer helplessness of the writer with respect to the beauty of his beloved. Of course what followed was listening to my dad's collection of tapes by the usual Gulam Ali and Mehdi Hassan.
Sung in the more popular style with a chorus that is repeated after every couplet to keep the audience going and the couplets sung a tad faster than normal and the language tended to be more hindi than urdu.
Then one day my father put on a CD that I think he bought. The artiste was Begum Akhtar. I was stunned. What was she doing? She hardly had a chorus to repeat and wait she took her time with the verses. She knew her power lay in the delivery of the essential couplet and she NEVER rushed through. What drew me in further was that I couldn't understand a lot of the language she used.
Urdu sounds sooooo beautiful, especially when you don't understand it. Makes you want to say words like, uzr, ibtela or ahzaan.
Anyway so finally a few days ago I decided that it was time I understood 100% of what the Begum was trying to say to me. One of my favourite gazals sung by her is called "Unki berukhi mein bhi" . So I hit the urdu-english dictionary to figure what was going on. Heres what I found
आज कल मेरी हालत, देखने के काबिल है
क़त्ल हो तो मेरा सा, मौत हो तो मेरी सी
मेरे सोग्वारों में, आज मीरा कातिल है
If one were to be murdered it should be like me, if one should die it should be like me
For amongst my mourners sits my murderer
मुज्तिर्ब हैं मौजें क्यूं, उठ रहे हैं तूफ़ान क्यों
क्या किसी सफीनी को, आरजू -- ऐ - साहिल है
When in the routes to the destination the guide is also involved?
PPS: WTF do all my "इ's" appear after the consonant they are supposed to be attached to.
Sung in the more popular style with a chorus that is repeated after every couplet to keep the audience going and the couplets sung a tad faster than normal and the language tended to be more hindi than urdu.
Then one day my father put on a CD that I think he bought. The artiste was Begum Akhtar. I was stunned. What was she doing? She hardly had a chorus to repeat and wait she took her time with the verses. She knew her power lay in the delivery of the essential couplet and she NEVER rushed through. What drew me in further was that I couldn't understand a lot of the language she used.
Urdu sounds sooooo beautiful, especially when you don't understand it. Makes you want to say words like, uzr, ibtela or ahzaan.
Anyway so finally a few days ago I decided that it was time I understood 100% of what the Begum was trying to say to me. One of my favourite gazals sung by her is called "Unki berukhi mein bhi" . So I hit the urdu-english dictionary to figure what was going on. Heres what I found
उनकी बेरुखी में भी-(Ameer)
आज कल मेरी हालत, देखने के काबिल है
Even in his indifference, there is mercy (Iltefaat actually also means kindness and friendship, so I'm not sure but I think the word mercy fits best here)
My situation these days is worth seeing
My situation these days is worth seeing
मेरे सोग्वारों में, आज मीरा कातिल है
If one were to be murdered it should be like me, if one should die it should be like me
For amongst my mourners sits my murderer
मुज्तिर्ब हैं मौजें क्यूं, उठ रहे हैं तूफ़ान क्यों
क्या किसी सफीनी को, आरजू -- ऐ - साहिल है
Why are the waves (ecstasy) impatient? Why are storms brewing?
Is there a boat out there that desires the shore?
Is there a boat out there that desires the shore?
सिर्फ़ राह्ज़ंही से, क्यूँ अमीर * शिकवा हो
मंजिलों की राहों में राह्बर भी शामिल है
मंजिलों की राहों में राह्बर भी शामिल है
When in the routes to the destination the guide is also involved?
If you get a chance listen to it here
PS : This stuff doesn't translate very well into englishPPS: WTF do all my "इ's" appear after the consonant they are supposed to be attached to.
1 comment:
Hi there,
Before starting with Ghazals I had a notion that Ghazals are meant for people who are under depression. but then 6-7 years back one of my friends introduced me to this divine melody & since then there is no looking back.
As you mentioned about Kal chaudhavin ki raat thi. I also started with the same Ghazal and was literally hooked by it.
I often wonder about the poet behind any Ghazal.
Never heard Ghazals of Begum Akhtar, but after reading these couplets I'm craving to search for more of Begum's Ghazals.
Your recommendations are most welcome.
Thank you.
Have a nice time. :)
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