Date: Mon, 28 Oct 96 09:47:00 PST
From: Ramesh Hariharan (rameshh@tp.ac.sg)
Subject: Ghalib: haiN aur bhi duniya meiN...

Another who-else-but Ghalib ghazal, which has become immortal for its
"maqta"(the last sher in a ghazal, where the poet would normally leave
his takkallus - alias). Enjoy!

1. hai bas ki har ek unke ishaare meiN nishaaN aur
karte haiN muhobbat to guzarata hai gumaaN aur

[In her every indication/expression, the aim is something else
If she is in love(with me), then the feeling that (I) get is something else]

2. tum shaher meiN ho to hameiN kya GHam ? jab uTHeNge
le aayenge baazaar se jaakar dil-o-jaaN aur

[If you are in the city, then what sorrows do I have? when I get up
(I) will go to the bazaar and get a different beloved for myself]

Ghalib's lover seems to have left him and gone off to another place, and
he has not got up from the place where he has been sitting, waiting for
her. Now, when she is back in the city, Ghalib, just like a upset kid, is
trying to taunt his beloved by saying "So what if you are back! I am or
was never upset in you absence or in your presence. I will get another
beloved for myself. You just wait and see."

3. leta, na agar dil tumhe deta, koee dam cheiNn
karta, jo na marta koee din, aah-o-fuGHaaN aur

[If I had not given you my heart, I would have breathed easily for some more time
If I had not died every day, I would have clamoured and cried for some more time]

So well known for his play of words, Ghalib here puts himself in a
catch-22 situation, and confuses us. He says "Look! Since I gave you my
heart, I have lost my peace of mind, since I am apprehensive, whether you
will reciprocate or not, etc, etc. At the same time, I would like to say
that If I had done so(giving your heart to someone means that you
symbolically no longer live, as your heart is not with you), I would have
clamoured and cried for you to recognize my love". Ghalib will have no
peace of mind, no matter what!

4. haiN aur bhee duniya meiN suKHanwar bohot achche
kehte haiN ki 'GHalib' ka hai andaaz-e-bayaaN aur

[There are a lot more very good poets in the world, but
They say that "Ghalib" has a style of poetry different from the others]

If a man praises himself, we say that he is boasting. However, when poets
attain the fame and status, as did Ghalib, such shers were allowed
because, no body could deny their greatness. This sher by Ghalib, is a
self-praising one.

Dictionary : gumaaN = doubt/suspicion; Khursheed = sun; taab = power/courage;
nihaaN = hidden; fuGHaaN = clamour; suKHanwar = poet