Meg Index | March 2001 Index

Date: 30-Mar-2001
Poet: Mirza Ghalib


Here is a qataa by Ghalib on Calcutta, whcih just happens to 
be my birthplace ;-)


kal_katte kaa jo zikr kiyaa tuune ham_nashii.n
ik tiir mere siine me.n maaraa ke haaye haaye

[zikr = mention]


vo sabzaa zaar haaye mutarraa ke hai Gazab
vo naazanii.n butaan-e-Khud_aaraa ke haaye haaye

[sabzaa zaar = a place abounding in greenery]
[butaan-e-Khud_aaraa = self decorated beloved]


sabr_aazmaa vo un kii nigaahe.n ke haf nazar
taaqat_ruubaa vo un kaa ishaaraa ke haaye haaye

[sabr_aazmaa = that which tests one's patience/endurance]
[haf nazar = benevolent eye; taaqat_rubaa = that which saps/drains the strength]


vo mevaa haaye taazaa-e-shiirii.n ke vaah vaah
vo baadaa haaye naab-e-gavaaraa ke haaye haaye

[mevaa = fruit; taazaa-e-shiirii.n = fresh and sweet]
[baadaa = wine; naab = unadulterated; gavaaraa = tasteful]