Date: Mon, 3 Feb 1997 12:03:12 +0800
From: Ramesh Hariharan (rameshh@tp.ac.sg)
Subject: Majaz : tasqeen-e-dil mahzooN na hui...

If anyone has seen the movie "Pyaasa", directed by Guru Dutt, it is
about a shayer and his life. There is a party scene in this movie where
a publisher and some great poets are sitting together and reciting
their 'qalam.' To make it realistic Guru Dutt got the real Shaayers,
like Kaifi Azmi, Majrooh Sultanpuri and Asraauul Haq 'Majaz'. So
'Majaz' himself recite the shairs of this ghazal in this scene. Ghazal
was posted on RMIM by Sandeep Bajwa.

1. tasqeen-e-dil mahzooN na hui, vo sai-e-qaram farma bhi gaye
is sai-e-qaram ko kya kahiye, bahla bhi gaye tarpa bhi gaye

(Before my heart felt completely satisfied, she did a favor and went off
What can I say about this favor, it pleased as well as tortured me]

sai-e-qaram - qaram ke sai/saaye - a blessed favor or some wonderful
gesture. The poet's beloved has, by one of her gestures/actions left him
unsatisfied, bcos this action of hers has partially pleased him as well
as left him wanting for more.

2. ik arz-e-wafa bhi kar na sake, kucch keh na sake, kucch sun na sake
yahan hamne jabaN hi khole thi, vahan aankh jhuki sharma bhi gaye

[I could not even start to express my love, I could not say anything, I could not hear anything
By the time I had just opened my mouth, she had lowered her eyes in shyness]

3. aashuftage-e-vahshat ki qasam, hairat ki qasam, hasrat ki asam
ab aap kahen kucch ya na kahen, hum raaz-e-tabassum pa bhi gaye

[By the heights of my madness, my getting stunned and my unfulfilled desires, I promise that
Now whether you say something or not, I have found the secret of your smile]

4. roodad-e-gham-e-ulfat unse hum kya kahte, kyon kar kahte
ik harf na nikla hothoN se aur aaNkh maiN aansoN aa bhi gaye

[What depressing love stories shall I tell her, and why should I tell her?
One word/alphabet also did not come out of my lips, and tears appeared in her eyes]

Dictionary : tasqeen-e-dil - peace of heart; aashuftage -
degree/heights; vahshat - madness; hairat - confused/stunned; hasrat -
unfulfilled desires; tabassum - smile; roodad - story;

Ramesh Hariharan