Saturday, January 13, 2007

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.

7 comments:

smilekapoor said...

very good transalation dear!
"Even to birds in captivity,
O Shaad, this message the blossoms send,
Come along if you will,
Find freshness galore..."

Aarkayne said...

Thanks smilekapoor. Appreciate your visiting.

A

Streebo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Shairani said...

Nice translation - though I believe that translations hardly do justice to poetry!

aarkayne said...

Thanks much. While I agree translations fall short of doing justice, its a way to doff one's hat to the creator in an attempt to bring his/her works to those that can't follow the original. Without the original there cannot be a translation and is not meant to be understoodas otherwise.

Thanks for taking the time to visit.

A

Unknown said...

Thank you for this wonderful translation and transliteration which for the likes of me who cant read or write Urdu and understanding of the language is limited. It is very beautiful and spiritual. I salute you sir. I also have a request if you can post with translation another of Abida's Gazal "Mujhe Bekhudhi ye tune" I shall be much oblighed.
May Allah bless you.
Amir

aarkayne said...

Thanks much Amir. Appreciate ur visit. I shall endeavor.

A.