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For those who have joined
now, let me say few words about this Ghalib series.
Ghalib, his Ghazals, his
poems, his genius, and his wits have always fascinated millions of Urdu
lovers including myself. Those who want to read my previous work please
Ctrl + click or copy and paste in internet address window, the
following link:
http://www.mirza-ghalib.org or, if you choose, you may send
me an email request; I will email back my previous explanations just for
asking.
This
is my 29th installment. I have received excellent response from
lot of friends; both Urdu and non-Urdu speakers. Please know that this
is my own, Asghar Vasanwala’s, work and not a forwarding of someone
else’s work as some you thought. Please forward this to your friends.
Also please send me your comments/complements. I
will appreciate if you forward me emails of your Urdu/non-Urdu friends.
Here is today’s verse
(she'r) & its explanation in
Urdu, Gujarati, and English
To listen to this Ghazal sung
by Lata, please click here:
http://lists.elistx.com/archives/blank/200507/mp3EITZJjRNcv.mp3
HuN tere
va’da na karne meiN bhi razi ke kabhi
I always concur, even when you do not promise me (a date), because of
that
Gosh mannat-kash-e-gulbaNg-e-tassalli na huaa
My ears never get obliged by the
comfort of your rosy promise
Va’da = promise razi=concur
gosh=ear(s) mannat
= obligation Kashidan=to
draw, to pull; its imperative is Kash and Mannat-kash becomes a noun
meaning one who pulls obligation
-e-=of gul=flower bang=a
shout, a call
Gul-baNg=a rosy call, a rosy promise
tassalli=a solace, a comfort
This
is the 5th verse of Ghalib’s 9th ghazal.
This ghazal is a popular ghazal. It has 7 verses and all of them are
beautiful and are bursting with great thoughts. It has been sung by many
artists including Lata. For audio, please click here
http://lists.elistx.com/archives/blank/200507/mp3EITZJjRNcv.mp3
Meaning:
When a
beloved, a friend, a relation, or a leader makes a promise to us, our
hearts get comfort and we dance with joy. However, many times the
word-giver excuses him/her self or totally disregards his/her word.
Ghalib says, “Though my sweetheart didn’t promise me (a date or a kiss),
I still concur with her decision; by practicing that, my ears never get
burdened by the obligation of (listening to) her rosy promise.”
When someone
promises, just to solace us at the moment of our need or despair, the
same false promise at a later date becomes a heart sore. It is better to
remain without a promise rather then have a false one.
Finer
aspects of this verse:
In this verse
Ghalib, as an answer to his sweetheart’s promise-breaking habit,
comforts his own heart in a masterful way. The story is same as “Grapes
are sour”; but, look how our spin doctor Ghalib puts it. This verse
could be a satire for Ghalib’s sweetheart’s promises-breaking habit.
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