Ruing the loss of a dear friend…

I first heard this ghazal some twenty years ago. I loved it instantly. The composition is in a rarely performed raag called Ahiri Todi. This raag has been used by the Shehenshah-e-ghazal a number of times in his rich repertoire of divine Hindustani Classical Music based ghazals.

The ghazal deals with the pain of separation of a dear friend/lover over a relatively minor misunderstanding. Beautifully rendered by the maestro himself as only he can. https://youtu.be/eqGE-MaEl8I

Khansaheb is accompanied by Abdul Sattar Khan on the tabla (nicknamed Tari Khan by the doting legions of his faithful fans) who adds a different dimension to the performance. He reminds me of Ustad Zakir Hussain, who to me is the reigning deity of the tabla-nawazes, and who came to our college several times in the mid 70s.

Let’s go thru the lyrics by Khatir Ghaznavi , savour them while I go about interpreting them for those who may be less conversant with the language. Those of you who know better can feel free to add their thoughts or correct me. I would be happy to learn from your wisdom

गो ज़रा सी बात पर बरसों के याराने गए………. खातिर गझनवी

गो ज़रा सी बात पर बरसों के याराने गए

लेकिन इतना तो हुआ कुछ लोग पहचाने गए

गर्मी-ए-महफ़िल फ़क़त इक नारा-ए-मस्ताना है

और वो ख़ुश हैं कि इस महफ़िल से दीवाने गए

मैं इसे शोहरत कहूँ या अपनी रुस्वाई कहूँ

मुझ से पहले उस गली में मेरे अफ़्साने गए

वहशतें कुछ इस तरह अपना मुक़द्दर बन गईं

हम जहाँ पहुँचे हमारे साथ वीराने गए

यूँ तो वो मेरी रग-ए-जाँ से भी थे नज़दीक-तर

आँसुओं की धुँद में लेकिन न पहचाने गए

अब भी उन यादों की ख़ुश्बू ज़ेहन में महफ़ूज़ है

बार-हा हम जिन से गुलज़ारों को महकाने गए

क्या क़यामत है कि ‘ख़ातिर’ कुश्ता-ए-शब थे भी हम

सुब्ह भी आई तो मुजरिम हम ही गर्दाने गए

Let me try to give you my interpretation: Ash’aar by ash’aar.

गो ज़रा सी बात पर बरसों के याराने गए

लेकिन इतना तो हुआ कुछ लोग पहचाने गए

Notwithstanding the loss of a friendship that had lasted many a year, I did uncover the reality for some people.

गर्मी-ए-महफ़िल फ़क़त इक नारा-ए-मस्ताना है

और वो ख़ुश हैं कि इस महफ़िल से दीवाने गए

The passion of the gathering is but a call of an inebriated person, and they are happy that the lovers have left the gathering.

मैं इसे शोहरत कहूँ या अपनी रुस्वाई कहूँ

मुझ से पहले उस गली में मेरे अफ़्साने गए

I don’t know if this is meant to be my good luck or is it an insult, my fame (stories) reached their ears before I did .

वहशतें कुछ इस तरह अपना मुक़द्दर बन गईं

हम जहाँ पहुँचे हमारे साथ वीराने गए

Solitude and loneliness has somehow become my fate , I was always accompanied by dreary wastelands wherever I reached.

यूँ तो वो मेरी रग-ए-जाँ से भी थे नज़दीक-तर

आँसुओं की धुँद में लेकिन न पहचाने गए

Although s/he was closer to me than the very vein of my life, I couldn’t recognise that due to tears clouding my vision.

अब भी उन यादों की ख़ुश्बू ज़ेहन में महफ़ूज़ है

बार-हा हम जिन से गुलज़ारों को महकाने गए

I still cherish the fragrant memories in my very soul, with which I often made many a garden in bloom redolent

क्या क़यामत है कि ‘ख़ातिर’ कुश्ता-ए-शब थे भी हम

सुब्ह भी आई तो मुजरिम हम ही गर्दाने गए

What a dilemma this, o “Khatir”, here we were destined to be slaughtered for the night, and cometh the dawn and we were held guilty for it as well. (The poet bemoans that despite his misfortune of an unrequited love, the world unfairly blames him for his woe and losses )

Every time I have heard this amazing piece of poetic wizardry it has left me overcome emotionally and drained of base emotions, to the brink of tears. For sheer poignancy, there are very few verses written better and rendered more soulfully. As is Khansaheb’s wont, he is so thoughtful and measured in his stage performance that it adds a delightful aura to the ghazal. https://youtu.be/1s8_we1Ckxo

Have a wonderful day ahead folks, as Messi’s troops dismantled Modric’s men in a clinical and facile win that was both emphatic and surprising in its ease. A brutal reality check for the Croats. Have a wonderful week as I will breeze through the day and prepare for a mouthwatering second semifinal. Stay healthy

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