Date: Thu, 21 Dec 95 12:21:56 EST
From: "Lalit Koul"
Subject: Ghazal !!!

Here is another Classic one penned by Great Ghalib and sung by almost all
Ghazal singers......

Aah ko chahiyey, ik umar asar honay tak,
Kaun jeeta hai, teri zulf kay sar honey tak !

[A curse needs a life-time to have its effect,
Who is going to live until your hair-locks get untangled !]
('hair-locks getting untangled' also means 'love having success')

Aashqi sabr talab, aur tamanna betaab,
Dil ka kya rang karoon, khoon-e-jigr honay tak !
Aah ko chahiyey ik umar....................

[Romance is satisfied, and wishes are anxious,
What is going to be my condition till love succeeds !]

Hamnay maana, ki tagaful na karogay lekin,
Khaak ho jaayengay hum, tumko khabar honay tak !
Aah ko chahiyey ik umar....................

[I agree that you won't hesitate/delay but,
I will be destroyed till you get the news about my condition !]

Gam-e-hasti ka 'Asad' kis-say ho, juzz-marg ilaaj
Shama har rang mein jalti hai, sahar honay tak !
Aah ko chahiyey ik umar....................

[What is the cure for life except the death, 'Asad',
In all conditions, candle keeps on burning till dawn !]

Aah ko chahiyey, ik umar asar honay tak,
Kaun jeeta hai, teri zulf kay sar honey tak !!!

- Mirza Ghalib

Ghalib's original name was 'Mirza Asadullah Khan' and that's why you will
see that he has used either 'Ghalib' or 'Asad' as his pen-name in most of
his ghazals...

Lalit.