There
is one bird that I hear quite often is Scimitar Babbler, its call is rather
fine tuned Caucal. They have curved bills almost like a Scimitar, hence the
name. It is rarely seen in the open so difficult to spot. Like all Babblers
they are seen foraging the undergrowth mostly in mixed feeding flocks.
Kaifi Azmi:
the pinnacle of Urdu poetry
Kar chale hum fida jan-o-tan
sathionab tumhare hawale watan sathio
These
lines are so much etched in the collective memory of Indians that it is difficult
to think of any song that defines patriotism. Kaifi Azmi happens to be one of
my favorite poets, his lines are straight from heart, and carry much subtlety
and nuance. It is such an experience to read his lines…
Many
years back I used to keep away two weeks for one poet, so that I took lot of
time to read each and every line, and then ruminate over, re read so on. It was
an amazing experience to enter poet’s world at its own pace. Kaifi Azmi is one
the poets whom I have spend substantial amount of time. Apart from being a poet he was an amazing human
being. His concerns were always well articulated, it was a treat to listen him
talk. Few months back I happen to see a documentary on him in DD. It is amazing
that his close friends included some very common people in the village. We have,
as a society, lost that inclusive and innocent world, it is a terrible loss. I also
think that his presence in movie Naseem was one of the most endearing.
Many
of his poems are available on the Net, also I had one book by Pavan Verma translation
(there is much to be desired), I am here taking two poems (one an incredibly popular
song from a movie) from the Net….let’s not spoil it by translating!!
वक्त ने
किया क्या हंसी
सितम
तुम रहे न तुम, हम रहे न हम ।
बेक़रार दिल इस तरह मिले
जिस तरह कभी हम जुदा न थे
तुम भी खो गए, हम भी खो गए
इक राह पर चल के दो कदम ।
जायेंगे कहाँ सूझता नहीं
चल पड़े मगर रास्ता नहीं
क्या तलाश है, कुछ पता नहीं
बुन रहे क्यूँ ख़्वाब दम-ब-दम ।
तुम रहे न तुम, हम रहे न हम ।
बेक़रार दिल इस तरह मिले
जिस तरह कभी हम जुदा न थे
तुम भी खो गए, हम भी खो गए
इक राह पर चल के दो कदम ।
जायेंगे कहाँ सूझता नहीं
चल पड़े मगर रास्ता नहीं
क्या तलाश है, कुछ पता नहीं
बुन रहे क्यूँ ख़्वाब दम-ब-दम ।
Another one,
that is my favorite…
मैं ढूँढ़ता
हूँ जिसे वह
जहाँ नहीं मिलता
।
नई ज़मीन नया आसमाँ नहीं मिलता ।
नई ज़मीन नया आसमाँ भी मिल जाए
नए-बशर का कहीं कुछ निशाँ नहीं मिलता ।
वह तेग मिल गई जिससे हुआ है क़त्ल मेरा
किसी के हाथ का उस पर निशाँ नहीं मिलता ।
वह मेरा गाँव है वो मेरे गाँव के चूल्हे
कि जिनमें शोले तो शोले, धुआँ नहीं मिलता ।
जो इक ख़ुदा नहीं मिलता तो इतना मातम क्यों
यहाँ तो कोई मेरा हमज़बाँ नहीं मिलता ।
खड़ा हूँ कबसे मैं चेहरों के एक जंगल में
तुम्हारे चेहरे का कुछ भी यहाँ नहीं मिलता ।
नई ज़मीन नया आसमाँ नहीं मिलता ।
नई ज़मीन नया आसमाँ भी मिल जाए
नए-बशर का कहीं कुछ निशाँ नहीं मिलता ।
वह तेग मिल गई जिससे हुआ है क़त्ल मेरा
किसी के हाथ का उस पर निशाँ नहीं मिलता ।
वह मेरा गाँव है वो मेरे गाँव के चूल्हे
कि जिनमें शोले तो शोले, धुआँ नहीं मिलता ।
जो इक ख़ुदा नहीं मिलता तो इतना मातम क्यों
यहाँ तो कोई मेरा हमज़बाँ नहीं मिलता ।
खड़ा हूँ कबसे मैं चेहरों के एक जंगल में
तुम्हारे चेहरे का कुछ भी यहाँ नहीं मिलता ।
From my scribble pad
Martyr
Truth
is a house
without
any occupant.
Innocent
idealism stays as tenant
till
existential realities knock the door off.
Later
it’s a hideout
from
remorse and chastening.
Occasionally
someone is locked in
and called
a martyr
