Dhoondo Ge Agar Mulkon Mulkon - A Translation

This originally appeared on Zulm.net

Dhoondo Ge Agar Mulkon Mulkon
Milne Ke Nahin Nayaab Hain Hum
Tabeer Hai Jiski Hasrat-0-Gham
Aye Humnafaso Woh Khwaab Hain Hum

Aye Dard Bata Kuch Tu Hi Pata
Ab Tak Yeh Mu’ammya Hal Na Hua
Hum Mein Hain Dil-E-Betaab Nihan
Yah Aap Dil-E-Betaab Hain Hum

Main Hairat-O-Hasrat Ka Maara
Khamosh Khada Hoon Sahil Par
Dariya-E-Mohabbat Kehta Hai
“Aa Kuch Bhi Nahin Payaab Hain Hum”

Lakhon Hi Musafir Chalte Hain
Manzil pohunchte Hain Do Ik
Aye Ahl-E-Zamana Qadr Karo
Nayaab Na Hon Kamyaab Hain Hum

Murghan-E-Qafas Ko Phoolon Ne
Aye Shaad Ye Kahla Bheja Hai
Aa Jao Jo Tum Ko Aana Ho
Aise Mein Abhi Shadaab Hain Hum


Set forth a search party, village, county, nation-wide,
Without a yield returned, thus rare an entity,
Found but within desire and grief,
My companions, I am but a dream.

Sweet agony pray show me the way,
This muddle of a riddle, lies unsolved,
Does inside me beat a restless heart?
Or is my entire being simply restive?

Worn down by grief, here I am so glum,
On the quietened shores of love,
Beckoning encouragement, simply,
‘Come swim with me, where ‘tis yet shallow’.

Millions of travellers set out,
An odd couple make their destiny,
Hark upon my very being,
Not yet extinct, just a rarefied kind.

Even to birds in captivity,
O Shaad, this message the blossoms send,
Come along if you will,
Find freshness galore.