Pagal Piyaar! Do piyari piyari larkiyon ke naam!

Woh ek pagal si larki,
Chali hai piyaar dhoondne.
Is jehane faani mein
Is bewafa si dunya mein.
Aur woh doosri pagal si larki
Samajhtee hai paa liya usne piyaar
Is misle bulbula dunya mein
Is lamha-e mutalzal mein.
Dono pagal larkiyaan
Dhoondne chali hein piyaar!

Aisa napeid jazba
Jo aaj kal hai dastyaab
Kabhi bhadday laal laal qumqumon mein
Kabhi sastey valentine cardon mein
Aur kabhi kabhi us sajan ki aankhon mein
Woh sajan jo shayad mein ne khud banaya hai
Ek but
Mere dil-e Aazari ki tarash
Shayad yehi hai piyaar
Ek khayal, ek shumaar.

Aur mein sochtee rehtee hoon
Kiya hoga anjaam in dono ka
Ek bari, samajhdar aur parhee
Doosri pagal, pagal se.

Jaise azal se larkiyan
Sochtee ayee hain
Bhagtee, khailtee
Titliyaan pakarti 
Kiya yahee hai piyaar?
Is hee tara chamkta, machalta
Jugnagoon
Lamiya
Bas na ho yeh ustarha
Jo bana gaya Anarkali ko
Nawishta -e deewaar!


Aur sab larkiyaan
Kiya dhoondtee hain titliyaan
Ek khwaab zada weerane mein
Jahan bhoolke bhi naam na lo
Is lafz ka jo hai piyaar!

Do Raastey Juda Juda, Yuk Jaan...Two Choices Yet One Life!

A poem by Meherzaidi.

دو الگ راستے 

دو جدا راستے 

ایک خاردار پتھریلا 

رواں دواں 

بجانب منزل بے نماں 

چٹیل میدان درمیان 

نمایاں عیان 

اور باز بےنشاں 

بےنشاں گھروندون کے درمیان 

زیست  بیکرا ں 

گزر گیی ڈھال گیی 

دوسر خراماں معتر خرا ماں 

فروزاں سرمگیں 

زیر ساۓ زر فشاں 

پاسباں

 رواں دواں

بے نشاں 

میں سوچتی ہوں 

اب یہاں کہاں 

گزر گیئ 

یہ زندگی 

یہ بحر بے کراں 

رواں دواں 

رواں دواں  

Roman Script (Urdu):
Do  Alag Alag Raastey
Do Juda Juda Raastey

Aik Khardar , Pathreela
Rawan Dawan,
Bajanib Manzil-e- be Numaan
Chatyal Maidaan Darmiyaan
Numayan, Ayaan
Aur Baaz Benishaan!

Benishan, Gharondon Ke Darmiyaan
Zeest-e-Be Kiraan
Guzar Gayee,
Dhal Gayee!

Doosra Kharaaman, Mu'attar, Kharaaman,
Farozaan, Surmageen,
Zair-e Saya-e Zarfishaan,
Pasbaan
Rawaan Dawaan
Benishaan!
Mein Sochtee Hoon
Ab Yahaan
Kahaan
Guzar Gayee
Yeh Zindagee
Yeh Beher Baikaraan
Rawaan Dawaan
Rawaan Dawaan!

English Translation.

Two roads, two paths,
Choices
Separate, yet joined!
My Life,
One stony,thorn shorned,
Striving,
Struggling
Towards
An Unclear Destination!

Betwixt,
Stony, barren spaces
Some prominent, some plain.
Some totally undiscernable!
Betwixt,
Some mudhouses,temporary, unsafe
This life
So vast like an ocean
Spent!
Washed away!

The other choice
 A path, seperate
Perfumed, surreal, beautiful
Soft,safe,rich
Eternally flowing!
Yet Unmarked
Unrecognised
Unacknowledged,

As I stand by the sea, I think
Where has my life gone by
Gone by!
Passes by!

A passage of life by the sea at Karachi. On my 52nd birthday!

Modern Art Feast ...Pakistan.

The Three Graces.Sophiya Khwaja.Immigration In An Envelope.

The Viewers' Joy!

The feast of modern art abstract  paintings by Sophiya Khwaja at the 'Peace Niche Art Gallery' on the T2 F (http://www.peaceniche.org/)  shows the excellent expressionism adopted by the Pakistani painter. From painting to painting, from etching, gouache, collage, to mixed media, the artist uses very well defined, concepts and lines, cubes, coloured spaces, interjecting with pastels, nuetrals, to express the sentiments of "the social biengs, humans" in a strong and clear social comment. The male and female figures, falling, climbing, standing, looking and dancing come alive, almost as if on a live television screen. One is left with no choice but to interact and feel, be inside the subject's mind and  be totally 'affected'.
should this expression be used as a therapy into the soul, or a mere experience in the social milue it is describing I do not know, but the effect on the viewer is profound. figurative work by the artist is very delicate, well defined, outlined and the movement as if walking, climbing, jumping , falling and dancing is almost real and realtime. The artist makes you aware of the  urban, modern dwellers dilemma. It is almost as if one is experiencing the day to day mundanities and yet the excitement of modern urban living with it's taboos, dilemmas, 'Forced Gridlock' as the artist labels her exhibition. The relationships in between humans, individual and society, small communities or larger social groups , men and women is 'Expressioned" in a most charming way. I feel the artist is a great painter from Pakistan but 'Universal' and 'Global' in her  reach.

Gustav Klint, A modern Master par excellence.

My Thought Process.. Faraz And Ali Wasif !

Faraz Writes :

Raateein Hain Udaas Din Karde Hain
Aye Dil tere Hausle Bare Hain!

Aye Yaade Habib Saath Dena
Kuch Marhale Sakht Aapare Hain !

Rukna Ho Agar Tau Sau Bahane
Janaa Ho Tau Raaste Bare Hain!

Ab Kaise Bataen Wajhe Girya
Jab Aap Bhi Saath Ro Pare Hain!

Ab Jane Kahan Naseeb Le Jaen
Ghar Se Tau Faraz Chal Pare Hain!

Translation:

Oh, how does my heart endure
These sad nights' pain,
These tough days' toil?

Only the  passion of my beloved's love
Gives me the strength to face with fortitude
The tough and undesired decisions!

Stay and find a hundred reasons
Go away if you want
The door is open!

My laments have lost it's meaning
Whence we both weep together!

Let's see where our destiny takes us
Now that I have abandoned my home!

Sukoot- e  Sham-e Khizaan Hai Qareeb Aajao
Bara Udaas Samaa Hai Qareeb Aajao!

Na Tum Ko Khud Pe Bharosa Na Hum Ko Zome Wafa
Na Eitabare Jahan Hai Qareeb Aajao!

Rahe Talab Mein Kisee Ko Kisee Ka Dhiyan Naheen
Hujoome Hamsafaran Hai Qareeb Aajao!

Jo Dashte Ishq Mein Bichre Woh Umr Bhar Na Mile
Yahan Dhuan Hi Dhuan Hai Qareeb Aajao!

Yeh Aandhiyan Hain Tau Shehre Wafa Ki Khair Naheen
Zamaana Khaak fishan Hai Qareeb Aajao!

Faqeehe Shehr Ki Majlis Naheen Ke Door Raho
Yeh Bazme Pire Mughan Hai Qareeb Aajao!

Faraz Door Ke Suraj Ghuroob Samjhe Gaye
Yeh Daure Kam Nazaran Hai Qareeb Aajao!

Translation:

The night is still, sad evening engulfs
Come near to me! For solace!


I do not pledge my love, neither you trust yourself
Nor do we trust this world,
Come near to me! For trust!

In this worldy selfishness no one cares for nobody
Every one is but a fellow traveller,
 Come near to me! for companionship!

All the beloveds lost in love's way
Never found!
All is but a lost memory, hazy
Come near to me! In memories!

My  lovable, loving city is not immune to disaster
Till such time that this destructive wind blows
These spread only dust!
Come near to me! For comfort!

This is not a place for the sermon giver
Come near to me,
This is but a lamenter's abode!

O, these times are but of darkness eternal
All the  Sun's of knowledge set!
Come near to me ! For sight!

Syed Ali  Wasif presented some pensive paintings in his 'Pakistanis are not terrorists ' Series.When I see his paintings I thought of these poems of Faraz.

Self Portrait.

An aged face of a woman.

Meherzaidi, translator.

Ahmed Faraz....Rahnawarde Shauq!

Ahmed Faraz, a poet par excellence!

On this birth anniversary of the great contemporary poet of Pakistan,  my eyes are tearful. He was so popular amongst women and especially the expat community of Pakistanis in the Middle East and Gulf states. My first memory of Faraz is from his well sung ghazal " Ranjish hi sahee, Dil he dukhane ke liye aa"!, so beautifully and originally sung by Habib Wali Muhammad. His many ghazals became popular after bieng sung by the good artists at the time. His poetry is simple with a style that is both modern, contemporary yet gives the finesse and taste of mastery in  Urdu poetry like Ghalib and Shauq. People started loving his style which was full of romance, a hidden, desirable sexuality representing the unfulfilled, quiet love of lovers in the East.  This newer expression which became so popular with the educated generation, especially the Pakistani expats was what was noticed by the television and art promoters in Pakistan and abroad. As art also thrives by patonage, the "Mushairas" or poetry sittings started featuring the great poet more and more. Then Faraz is also such an expressive and prolific writer. He is also "Doston Ka Dost", so loving and sincere! This "Waalehana" (unbridled) expression of love and sincerity is reflected, eloquently in his poetry.His poetry is lyrical, so sungable! May we enjoy and honor all our great poets.

Says he;
Zakhm Ko Phool Sar Sar Ko Saba Kehte Hain
Jaane Kiya Daur Hai Kiya, Kiya Log Hain Kiya Kehte Hain!

Kiya Qiyamat Hai Ke Jin Ke Liye Ruk Ruk Ke Chale
Ab Wohi Log Hamen Aabla Pa Kehte Hain!

Koi Batlao Ke Ek Umr Ka Bichra Mehboob
Ittefaqan Kaheen Miljaye To Kiya Kehte Hain!

Yeh Bhi Andaze Sukhan Hai Ke Jafa Ko Teri
Ghamza Wa Ishwa Wa Andaaz Wa Ada Kehte Hain!

Jab Talak Dur Hai To Teri Parastish Karlen
Ham Jise Choo Na Saken Us Ko Khuda Kehte Hain!

Kiya Ta'ajub Hai Ke Hum Ahle Tammana Ko Faraz
Woh Jo Mehrum -E Tamanna Hain Bura Kehte Hain!

Translation :

Ah, Lament those who call my wounds in the path of love, a wound!
Oh, these crazy times, these strange people! Know they not!

I feel devastated,
Tehe same companions for whom I paced slowly, caringly treaded
The path of love!
Those same beloved companions call me disabled, wasted!

Oh, tell me, please tell me
What do I say when my most beloved  sees me after I had lost all hope of
Meeting him ever!

Oh, How do I describe thine beautiful heart reaching style,
Like a look of the eye,  Curve of your sweet mouth, style of the way you turn your head away
 From  mine  , O beloved!

Let me worship thee in all abandon,
Till such time I cannot touch,
Lest I touch and' No longer you are divine, untouchable,
Like  a god!

Well, Why are you surprised O Faraz ?
Whence  the unfulfilled in desire and the way of love call you a lover!

Yeh Aalam Shauq Ka Dekha Na Jaye
Woh But Hai Ya Khuda
Dekha Na Jaye!

Yeh Kin Nazron Se Toone Aaj Dekha?
Keh Tera Dekhna, Dekha Na Jaye!

Hamesha Ke Liye Mujh Se Bichar Ja,
Yeh Manzar Barha Dekha Na Jaye!

Ghalat Hai Jo Suna Par Aazma Kar
Tujhe Ai Be Wafa Dekha Na Jaye!

Yeh Mehrumi Naheen Paas-E Wafa Hai
Koyee Tere siwa Dekha Na Jai!

Yehi To Aashna Bante Hain Aakhir
Koi Na Aashna Dekha Na Jaye!

Faraz Apne Siwa Hai Kaun Tera
Tujhe Tujh Se Juda Dekha Na Jaye!

Translation:

Oh the intensity of passion,
My eyes cannot bear to look
At your celestial bieng!
Nor my heart  touch thine divine beauty!
But in a dream!

O, my beloved how do you see towards me
I cannot bear the intensity of thine eyes!

Please, please leave my heart forever
 I cannot but bear your parting once!

I cannot believe the false tales they spread
I cannot test you and find you unfaithful!

I am but eternally faithful to you
This is, my unbound, faithful love!

O my beloved is eternally jealous
If I find any new glance!

O Faraz ,
Who is your best friend but yourself!

Meherzaidi, translator.

Mosques Of Punjab...Sequel To Mosques Of Lahore.

Maryam Zamani Masjid (Lahore).

This is also known as Masjid Begum Shahi. This was built in the year 1023 A.H. by emperor Jehangir for his mother maryam Zamani , who was the daughter of Raja Behari Mal and was married to emperor Akbar (Aieen-e Akbari).
It is located close to the eastern gate of the Lahore Fort, opposite the Eastern Wall. This gate was originally known as Masiti gate,meaning masjid gate, but is now falsely known as Masti gate.
This mosque has three domes. The central dome is the larger one. There are heavy arches which represent the Pathan architectural style.
It's gateways, the balconies and the flanking rooms are built in the Mughal architectural style.
' Built in bare brick using mortar, the building carries five double domes, the central one bieng supported by a 2.75m high neck. all the four corners of the building have square burj surmounted by cupolas, in place of usual minarets. They rise  to the height of about 4.5 m, though lower than the pinnacle of the central dome."
 the mosque is built in the square style of the Jami masjid.there is a  rectangular  courtyard, with a central ablution tank.
There were three entrances to the mosque, two of which have been blocked to provide room accomodation.

The interior.

The third gate  is on the eastern side and is still open to provide entrance.

The mosque   was converted by Ranjit Singh into a gun powder factory but was restored to a mosque  by muslims in 1850. It is also, therefore known as  a Barud Khana Wali  Masjid.

The work of fine filigree on Dome .

The magnificient domes.

(Reference; Historic Mosques Of Lahore; Ihsan H. Nadiem, Google Images).

Noha Ba Kunan....Karachi, December 2009!

Meherzaidi..The Poet.

(I write this poem in the genre of Noha, lamenting poem, for all those who lost their lives in Karachi, Muzaffarabad and other areas of Pakistan,especially the children and young people! and yesterday on the holy Ashura e Muharram).

یہ کیسی گذری ہے اس سال میری شب عاشور 

تمام زخم پسماند گان ہوے تازہ 

تمام فصل  بہاراں جو خون خون ہوئی 

وہ آج نوحہ کناں ہیں میرے جلے گھر پر 

یہ میرے بند دل زنداں کے اسیر 

کھلیں تو میں تجھ سے ایک بات کہہوں 

ابھی تو چلنا شروع ہوا تھا حسین 

ابھی تو مقتل دل میں فاصلہ تھا ضرور 

ابھی علی اصغر تھا کھڑا رہ دل پر 

ادا تھی اس کی معصو میت  ہی ضرور 

امڈ رہیں تھیں غم شام سے آنکھیں 

محو بہ جام شہادت پر امید و سرور 

ابھی ابھی تو چلا تھا یہ قافلہ دل 

یہ کس طرح  سے صیاد نے کیا ہے یہ وار 

کہ میرا محل بن گیا ہے اک پل میں 

صولی دام از پنجرہ دار 

کہاں سے لاؤں وہ سویرا  وہ آسمان حسین 

جو میرے پاک وطن کا مقدّر بننا تھا 

جو چل کے اس صحرا را شاہرہ پر 

دیار ارم ازل کو جاتا تھا 

کہاں کھڑی ہوں سکینہ 

کہاں ہوں میں حیران 

یہیں جلا تھا میرا خوابناک خیمہ 

یہ کیسا گزرا ہے اس سال میرا عاشور 

کہ تیری یاد سے ہے نہ جدا میرا نوحہ 

میں خاک سر میں آبلہ پا تیری رہ میں 

یہ رہگزر تو نہیں جہاں پی جانا تھا 

تمام دل یہ سوچتے ہونگے 

تمام آنکھیں یونہی اشکبار ہوئیں 

کہ یہ کس کی نظر لگی تجھ کو 

اس شب عاشور 

اے میرے چمن لالہ و یاقوت و نور 

میں تیرے دشت  میں یونہی پا بہ سلاسل بھی چلوں 

میں تیرے عشق میں کٹا و ں  یونہی پا و سر 

یہ میرا عہد متزلزل ہے اس سال 

میں تیری آزادی دل کا یہ الم

 یونہی کرتی رہوں بلند 

با پاے اکبر و حسین 

میں یونہی ہر سال 

بعد مہ و سال 

Yeh Kaisee Guzree Hai Is Saal Mere Shabe Ashur
Tamam Zakhm Pas Mandagan Huwaey taaza
Tamaam Fasle Baharn Jo Khoon Khoon Huwee
Woh aaj Noha Kunaan Hain
Mere jale Ghar Par!

Yeh Mere Band Dil-e Zindan Ke Aseer,
Khulain To Mein Tujh Se Ek Baat Kahoon,
Abhi To Chalna Shuru Huwa Tha Hussain,
Abhi To Maqtale Dil Mein Fasla Tha Zaroor,
Abhi Ali Asghar Tha Khara Rahe Dil Par,
Ada Thi Us Ki Masoomiyat Hi Zaroor!
Umad raheen Theen ghame shaam se Aakhein
Mehv Ba Jaame Shahadat, Pur Umeed Wa Suroor!

Abhi Abhi To Chala Tha Yeh Qafila -e Dil,
Yeh Kis Tarah Se Sayyad Ne Kiya Hai Yeh Waar?
Ke Mera Mahal Ban Gaya He Ek Paal Mein
Suli-e-Dam , Az Pinjra-e  Daar!

Kahan Se Laoon Woh Sawera, Woh Aasmaan hussain?
Jo Mere Paak Watan Ka Muqaddar Ban'na Tha!
Jo Chal Ke Is Sehra Ra Shahrah Par,
Diyare Irm-e Azal ko Jaata Tha!

Kahan Kharee Hoon Sakeena
Kahan Hoon Mein Hairaan?
Yaheen Jala Tha Mere Khuwabnak  Khema!

Yeh Kaisa Guzra Hai Is Saal Mera Ashur?
Keh teri Yaad Se Hai Na Juda Mera Noha!
mein Khak sar, Mein Abla Pa Teri Rah Mein,
Yeh rehguzar To Woh Naheen,
Jahan Pe Jaana Tha!

Tamam Dil Yeh Sochtay Hongey?
Tamam Aankhein Younhi Ashkbar Huween,
Keh Yeh Kis Ki Nazar Lagi Tujhko,
Is Shabe  Ashur!
Aye Mere Chamane Lala Wa Yaqoot Wa Noor!
Mein Tere Dasht Mein Younhi Pa Ba Salasil Bhi Chaloon,
Mein Tere Ishq Mein Kataoon Yuonhi Khakpa Wa Sar!
Yeh Mera Ehde Mutalzal Hai Is Saal
Mein Teri Azaadi-e-Dil Ka Yeh Alam,
Youheen Karti Rahoon Buland
Ba Pae Akbar Wa Hussain!
Mein Younhee Har Saal, Baad, Ma -o -Saal!

Translation:
Oh, how I lament this year shabe Ashur?
All my healed wounds have opened up!
All my spring time, is splattered with blood.
Those that are lamenting my burnt abode,
I shall open my heart to you when,
This enslaved  tongue of mine  is  set free!
Only  thence had Hussain started his journey
Only thence had this journey of the heart started!

Oh, how has the entrapper attacked?
That my palace has become but a prison!
Where do I bring the light of Dawn?
Oh, where do I bring that enlightened sky,
Oh Hussain!
That was to be the destiny of my  holy land!
That which was to be treaded , this desert like  path
Was to reach the Eternal Garden of Erum!

Wail, where do I stand O, my Sakeena!
Where do I stand stupified!
This is the place ! oh, this is the place,
Where my dreamlike tent is burnt!

Oh, how has been this year my Ashur!
That my noha(lament) is not seperated,
Nor parted from your memory!
I am with dust on my head, boils on my feet,
In your way, path of love!
Oh this was not the path that was to be treaded to reach you!

All the hearts would be thinking!
All the eyes would be tearing,
Who has usurped the joys of love?
Who has cast the evil eye?
On this Shab-e -Ashur!

Oh my Garden of Roses, yaqoot,and light!
I should always walk even if my feet are enchained ,
In your way.
I should be beheaded in your Love, my dust adorned head, my bleeding feet!
This is my unshakeable pledge this year,
That I should hold high the Flag of your freedom,
In the feet of  Akbar, the flag bearer, and Hussain!
That I do this deed this year, and year after year!