This is a Ghazal written by Kaifi Azmi sahab in form of a tribute to
Guru Dutt. Guru Dutt (supposedly) committed suicide in 1964. Kaifi saahab wrote this and recited in an unreleased interview (sometime in early 80s).
I was lucky enough to obtain an audio copy of it. For those who love and/or understand Urdu Poetry will feel cherished listening to this small recording.
Rahne Ko Sadaa:
Rahne ko sadaa dahar me aata nahi koi
Tum jaise gaye aise bhi jaata nahi koi
Ik baar to khud maut bhi ghabra gayi hogi
Yun maut ko seene se lagata nahi koi
Darta hoon kahin khushq na ho jaaye samundar
Raakh apni kabhi aap bahata nahi koi
Saaqi se gila tha tumhe, maikhaane se shikvaa
Ab zahar se bhi pyaas bujhata nahi koi
Maana ki ujaalon ne tumhe daag diye the
Beraat dhale shamma bujhata nahi koi
hey gautam
nice work man
Do you by any chance have the audio book ‘Kaifiyat’???
Yes, I do.
i have tears i my eyes… may be its a great great honour for anyone,s work. thank u brother..thank u very much
Dear Gautam
Great work! Tears flooded in my eyes.
While surfing, by chance i visited this site…… you are doing a great job……..keep it up. Kaifi Saheb’s tribute touched me a lot. After reading i became very emotional.
A great tribute to a great artist by a great poet. Thanks for sharing with us. Hats off to you.
Thanks for stopping by Jitendra.
Pritish Nandy’s translation of the above poem follows:
“The Suicide”
No one comes to stay on this earth forever
Yet no one goes the way you did
Even Death must have been taken aback
For no one embraces her the way you did
The startled Sea may dry up soon
For no one’s ever offered her his own ashes
Your Messiah and Nemesis are both uncertain
For neither knows how to conceal your wounds
You complained about the Tavern and the Saqi
Yet none quenched thirst with venom your way
I concede sunlight scarred you
Yet the flame should have burned till night gave way
I wonder why you smile in your death
Everyone knows but no one will say
Countless complaints, futile charges
yet no one dare look into your eyes today
Every morning there was a knock on your door
Yet no one disturbs your slumber today
Everyone raises your bier so effortlessly
Yet no one suffered your tenderness this way