Likh diya is dwar pe!!
This one is by the Pakistani poet Qateel Shifai from the previous century who started his career, of all things, as an unsuccessful businessperson in sporting goods đŸ™‚
This poem (actually I have quoted only part of the poem) can be interpreted as complaining about the then puritan society or the lady herself. I came across this poem because of the adoption of the same as a qawwali by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
“Likh Diya Apne Dwar Pe Kisi Ne
Is Jagah Pyaar Karna Manaa Hai
Pyaar Agar Ho Bhi Jaaye Kisi Ko
Iska Izhaar Karna Manaa Hai
… … …
Hum Ne Ki Arz Ay Banda Parwar
Kyun Sitam Dhaa Rahay Ho Yeh Hum Par
Baat Sun Kar Hamari Woh Boley
Humse Taqraar Karna Mana Hai”
I have tried the translation here assuming the complaint is about the lady herself.
It is as if somebody has inscribed on my door that,
Falling in love here is strictly prohibited
And, should one fall in love in spite of that
Expression of that is surely completely forbidden
… … …
When I question for the sake of humanity
Why inflict so much torture on me?
After listening to me patiently, she replies
“Protesting against me is also forbidden”
From the bartender’s corner – Italian Soda
From the bartender’s corner – Opal
From the bartender’s corner – Opal
And on the seventh day, he rested!
From the bartender’s corner – Yellow Daisy
One more cloudy and rainy morning.
Saqiya Aur Pila
Not sure of the original poet. There are many renditions of this but my favorite is the one by the Sabri Brothers.
“Yay mai ishq hai, pila-ey jah
Do piyale bhar ke de
Saqi mein gulfaam ke, ek apni naam ke
Aur ek Allah ke naam ke
Mita de poori tamanna is dil-e-nakaam ke
Dey dey dey dey dard do mein soorat koi araam ke
Ek ghoont hi pilwaa, magar, josh-e-tamanna daal kar
Ek katra dey, magar katray mein daryia daal kar
Ey saqi tere kher, tere maikade ke kher
Aisi pila ke jish ka nashaa, umr bhar rahey”
My transliterations are not as good as my translations. Urdu, is certainly not my forte. But here is a shot… First, let me explain a few words –
“Saqi” is the lady who serves the “mai” (wine) and often accompanies the customer for a drink in the “maikade” (wine bar)
……..
“This drink is that of love, keep on serving
Fill me up two glasses, if you please
One in your name, O rose-cheeked “Saqi”
And one in the Almighty’s name
(And in that way) Wipe out all the desires of this unfulfilled heart.
Give me some more pain in the guise of comfort
Give me even one sip to drink – but put in it some strong desire
Give me just one drop, but pour a river in that drop
O “Saqi” you be blessed, your “maikade” be blessed
Get me drunk tonight in a way that the intoxication will last me a lifetime”