Amir Khusrau, the disciple

Listening to the stories and anectodes of Mehboob-e-Ilahi( Beloved of God) was a norm as kids. A Mamoo, an ardent follower of Sufism, who lived in Jaipur was the source. If he ever happened to pass by Delhi, visit to the ‘Dargah’ was a mandatory.  And when in Delhi, he had to visit his sister too [...]

Ghalib ka pata ( Ghalib’s address)

Who could’ve described Ghalib better than he himself. Hai aur bhi duniya mein sukhanwar bahut ache Kehte hain ke ghalib ka hai andaaz-e-bayaan aur. (There are many good poets in the world, but they say Ghalib’s style (( of poetry) is different)  And in humour narrates his notoriety : Ho goya koi aisa bhi jo [...]

In love with Ghalib , the witty.

Recently I grabbed a book called Yadgar-e-Ghalib, by Altaf Hussain Haali in Urdu, and read bits from it. This has rekindled my fancy for him all the more. Mirza Ghalib the humourist , is awe inspiring. Leave aside his superb poetry , his wit with which he lived and laughed off the troubles of his [...]

Times Change, so do the Tastes…

Old Memories…PINAZ MASANI A favourite of yesteryears. Does not seem to move as much any more. Blogged for keep sake of past memories…

Nahin Aisa Nahin Hone Dena–Ahmed Faraz

Ab mere dosray bazoo pe wo shamsheer hai jo Is se pehle bhi mera nisf badan kaat chuki Usi bandooq ki goli/nali hai meri samt ke jo Is se pehle bhi meri shah rag ka lahu chaat chuki Phir wohi aag dhar aye hai meri galyuun mein Phir mere sehn mein barood ki boo pheli [...]

A Chhaap Tilak & other Collection of verses ~ by Farid Ayaz & Co.

This beautiful rendition of Chaap Tilak with magic spilled by Farid Ayaz, includes verses from Hazrat Sultan Bahu, Moalana Rumi and Kabir Das that were appropriate to the mood and common thought. Amir Khusro: Chhap tilak sab cheeni ray mosay naina milaikay Chhap tilak sab cheeni ray mosay naina milaikay Prem bhatee ka madhva pilaikay [...]

Amir Khusrau, the playful

Amīr Khusrou Dehlawī, a Sufi mystic and a spiritual disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya of Delhi, was not only a notable poet but also a prolific scholar and a seminal musician. He wrote poetry primarily in Persian for the court and Hindvi for the common man. Amir Khusrau  had a special connection with the common folk [...]

Chonani Dar Nazar Nazaar-e-Gaaran~ Amir Khusro~ sung by Shobha Mudgul & Mahsa Vahdat

Shobha Mudgal sings verses of Khusraw beautifully in Farsi and Urdu and is accompanied by Mahsa Vahdat who partly sings in the style of the throat singers from Iran. Of the many magical pieces of music created at the Khusrau Festival. Chonani dar Nazar Nazar e garan Ke Raunaq Ishq mi Mahpaar gaaran Ishq hai [...]

Yahan bhi, Wahan bhi ~by Nida Fazili

Nida Fazili is a renowned Indian Urdu poet. The following lines were written by him after a visit to Pakistan: Insaan mein haiwaan yahan bhi hain wahan bhi Allah nigehbaan yahan bhi hai wahan bhi Khoonkhar darindon ke faqat naam alag hain Shehron mein bayabaan yahan bhi hain wahan bhi Rehman ki qudrat ho ya [...]

Main Naara-E-Mastaana…!!!

Main nara-e-mastana, main shouqi- e- rindana Main tashna kahan jaaon, pee kar bhi kahan jana Slogan of Inebriation am I, drunkard mercurialness am I drink may I , may I not hardly does it make a difference Main souz-e-mohabbat hoon, main aik qayamat hoon Main ashk-e-nadaamat hoon, main gouhar-e-yakdana A burning heat of love am [...]