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135 Urdu ash'ar / shaayari (shers, couplets) on the theme:

Friends, Family, & Community

apni taraf to main bhinaheen huun abhi talak

aur us taraf tamaam

zamaana usi ka hai

until now, even i wasn’t

on my own side

and on that side

the whole world was her’s

Ameer Imam (1)

2018: Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar

zamaana (m) (7)

world, age, days

talak (m) (4)

till

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2

3.0K


to kya, tum mere dil ke

aur bhi kareeb ho gaye ho

even though you are

far away from my sight

so what, you have come

even closer to my heart

1999: Sahitya Akademi

1999: Padma Shri

agarche (m) (2)

although

nazron (m) (2)

sight

kareeb (m) (1)

closer

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3.5K


khuda shaahid hai…ThanDak

aaj tak hum dil mein paate hain

that day you placed your

henna-ed hand on my chest

god as my witness, to this day

i find the comfort in my heart

hinaai (1)

henna-ed hand

haath (m) (10)

hand

seene (m) (7)

heart, chest

khuda (m) (31)

god

shaahid (m) (3)

witness

dil (m) (106)

heart

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0

2

3.0K


kaise kaise log thay beemaar

achchhe ho gaye

just the rumour of your arrival

had such an effect

all sorts of sick people

got cured instantly

afvaah (m) (1)

rumor

asar (m) (7)

effect, impact

log (m) (9)

people

beemaar (m) (2)

sick

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39


mujh se dekha na gaya

us ka pashemaan hona

how regretful i am

after complaining to someone

i couldn't bear to

seem them be repentant

naadim (m) (1)

sorry, regretful

shakhs (m) (16)

person, individual

shikwa (m) (3)

complaint

pashemaan (m) (1)

repentant, remorseful

0

0

0

75


kuchh log mere hisse ka

sooraj bhi kha gaye

my house got trapped

among tall towers

they consumed even

the share of my sunlight

2007: Padma Bhushan

2013: Sahitya Akademi Award

oonchi (f) (1)

tall, lofty

imaaraton (m) (1)

buildings

makaan (m) (5)

house

ghir (m) (1)

enclosed, trapped

log (m) (9)

people

hisse (m) (3)

accounts

sooraj (m) (4)

sun

0

0

1

0


sochta hun teri

himaayat mein

there are arguments

made against you, but

i think

in your defense

dalilen (m) (1)

evidence, argument

khilaaf (m) (2)

against, opposed

magar (25)

yet, but

sochta (4)

think

himaayat (f) (1)

defense, support

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0

1

3.6K


tum ne achcha kiya

nibaah na ki

my faithfulness

brought me no joy

you did well

by not keeping faith

khush (9)

happy

wafaa (m) (5)

faithfulness

nibaah (m) (1)

sustaining, fulfilling

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0

0

1


khud ko ghar se

nikaal rakkha hai

for the well-being

of the house

i have kept myself

out of it

salaamti (f) (1)

well-being, safety, peace

khud (23)

myself

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0

0

3


kuchh hum se kaha hota

kuchh hum se suna hota

you spoke to strangers,

you lent them a patient ear

wish you had a word with me,

heard me out too

ghairon (m) (1)

strangers

suna (9)

hear

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0

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3.8K


dost hota nahin

har haath milaane waala

you mistake a gesture of formality

for sincere affection, 'faraz'

not every one who shakes your hand

is a friend

takalluf (m) (3)

formality

ikhlaas (m) (1)

sincerity

understand, deem

dost (m) (9)

friend

haath (m) (10)

hand

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0

1

5.0K


pehchaanta naheen hoon abhi

rahbar ko main

i go searching for a short while

with whoever is whizzing past

i am yet to find someone

a guide to show the way

talaash (f) (9)

quest, search

tez (4)

fast, speed, quick

rau (m) (2)

gallop, rhythm

pehchaanta (m) (1)

spot, identify

rahbar (m) (7)

guide, leader, ruler

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0

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2.9K


masroof hum bahut hain

magar bekhabar naheen

it is wrong to assume

i am not paying attention to you

i am quite busy, but yet

i am not unaware

ghalat (3)

wrong, mistake

par (m) (17)

wings, feathers / upon

nazar (m) (30)

perspective, sight

busy

bahut (20)

too much or many

magar (25)

yet, but

ignorant, clueless

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0

1

41


jab yaad ham aa jaayen,

milne ki dua karna

as you leave, goodbye, but

a small request of you

when i come to your mind

do pray for us to meet again

khuda (m) (31)

god

haafiz (m) (1)

guardian, memorizer

guzaarish (f) (1)

request

yaad (m) (35)

memory, remember

dua (m) (11)

blessing, prayer

0

0

0

2.3K


woh tijaarat hai

dosti hi naheen

a friendship animated

by personal gain

is a transaction

not friendship at all

dosti (f) (4)

friendship

gharaz (m) (4)

self-interest, purpose

tijaarat (f) (1)

transaction, trade

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0

0

27


kaise naadaan hain

shoalon ko hawa dete hain

people punish me

for my crime of love

how naive they are…

stoking the flames more

1971: Padma Shri

2013: Commemorative Stamp India

jurm (m) (4)

crime

ulfat (f) (7)

love, friendship, affection

saza (m) (4)

punishment

naadaan (m) (2)

naive, foolish, witless

1

0

2

5.0K


lub oopar oopar hanste hain

dil andar andar rota hai

what use complaining of friends, when

what’s visible and hidden are different

their lips seem to smile

while they are weeping inside

shikwa (m) (3)

complaint

ahbaab (m) (1)

dear ones, darling

zaahir (m) (2)

evident, visible

baatin (m) (1)

hidden, concealed

lub (m) (1)

lip

hanste (1)

smile

0

0

1

2.6K


ke woh bhi uTh ke gayaa

jis ka ghar na thaa koyi

strange is the etiquette

of leaving a gathering

even those got up and left

who had no home to go to

ajeeb (m) (7)

strange, weird

adaab (m) (1)

etiquette

rukhsat (f) (3)

departure (esp. of bride)

mehfil (m) (17)

gathering, concert

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0

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5.1K


is shahr ka har rahne vaala

kyun doosre shahr mein rahta hai

the sadness of the streets asks

the silence of the house says

why do all people of this city

live in some other city

galiyon (f) (2)

streets

udaasi (f) (4)

sadness

sannaaTa (m) (1)

silence

shahr (m) (13)

city

0

0

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2.2K


kya khabar thi jaate jaate

woh dua de jaayega

how regretful i am

for criticizing him harshly

who knew, that while leaving

he would bless me and go

Anonymous

qadar (m) (8)

amount of, degree

nadim (1)

regretful

bura (3)

bad

khabar (f) (11)

news, awareness

dua (m) (11)

blessing, prayer

0

0

0

2.4K


tum ko to etiraaz hi

karne ka shauq tha

we may have done good or bad

at least we did something

you, however, were only

fond of raising objections

bura (3)

bad

bhala (2)

good

kaam (m) (13)

work

etiraaz (m) (1)

objection

shauq (m) (14)

passion, zeal

1

0

0

50


mujhe gilaas baDe de

sharaab kam kar de

here people respect the apparel

not the man

give me a bigger glass

you can reduce the wine

1999: Sahitya Akademi

1999: Padma Shri

sharaab (m) (14)

wine, liquor, drink

libaas (m) (1)

dress, apparel, attire

qeemat (f) (1)

price, esteem

1

0

3

3.6K


basthi ka har charaagh

bujhana pada hamein

for me to shine my lamp

as the moon

i had to snuff out

all the other lamps in the city

charaagh (m) (15)

lamp, light, flame

waaste (m) (2)

inorderto

basthi (f) (1)

city

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2.0K


koyi dushman bhi tera

hai ki naheen?

your friends always

hide all your faults

do you have enemies

or no?

dost (m) (9)

friend

aib (m) (2)

fault, flaw, vice

chhupa (m) (1)

hide, conceal

dushman (m) (7)

enemy

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0

0

47


dhoop roke hai

mera chahne wala kaisa

who has provided a shade

for me in this desert

how are my dear ones able to

protect me from this searing heat

2005: Sitara-i-Imtiaz

sahraa (m) (5)

wilderness, desert

waaste (m) (2)

inorderto

chaanv (m) (3)

shade

dhoop (m) (10)

heat from sun

roke (2)

stop

0

0

0

2.6K


vo kya karen jo tum se

khafa ho nahin sakte

please, at least tell us this

before you get angry

what do those people do

who can't get angry with you?

pahle (m) (7)

before

bata (9)

speak, tell

khafa (m) (6)

angry, upset

0

0

1

4.5K


qadr kho deta hai

har roz ka aana jaana

it is better to meet

on occasion, 'ameer'

frequent visits

make one lose value

gaahe (1)

sometimes, often

mulaaqaat (f) (5)

meeting

qadr (m) (4)

value, worth

kho (4)

lose

roz (m) (12)

day, every day

0

0

0

0


jo shakhs bhool gaya

usko yaad kya rakhna

cast off

the pretense of false delusions

why remember those

who have forgotten you?

phenk (m) (2)

throw

delusions, false hopes

ghilaaf (m) (1)

covering, mask

shakhs (m) (16)

person, individual

bhool (f) (15)

forget, mistake

yaad (m) (35)

memory, remember

0

0

0

56


aur phir umr bhar

na jaaye kahin

my wish is

for you to come

and then

you don’t leave ever

lifelong

aarzoo (m) (17)

desire

0

0

4

2.7K


aaj ka din

guzar na jaye kahin

have seen you

after so long

hope the day

doesn't end

guzar (m) (13)

pass through, spent

0

0

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1.9K


teri rahmat ke sahaare ne

gunahgaar kiyaa

it was faith in your pardon

that led me to err

leaning on your mercy,

i turned a sinner

bakshish (f) (1)

gratuity, alms, gift

khataaen (m) (2)

mistakes, crimes

rahmat (f) (4)

mercy

sahaare (m) (1)

support, refuge

gunahgaar (m) (1)

sinner, offender

0

0

1

0


main ek shaam chura luun

agar bura na lage

the weather of your city

is so pleasant

may i steal an evening

if you don’t mind

shahr (m) (13)

city

shaam (m) (20)

evening

mausam (m) (6)

weather, season

pleasant

chura (1)

steal

0

0

0

3.0K


kahte hain aap Theek hain

rahte hain beqaraar se

whatever is in your heart

please tell me openly

you say you're fine

but seem so restless

dil (m) (106)

heart

aap (12)

respectful 'you'

khul (4)

open

Theek (2)

right, fine

restless

1

0

4

52


saare jahaan ka dard

hamaare jigar mein hai

dagger plunges into someone

and i am the one to suffer, ameer

the pain of the whole world

is gathered in my heart

khanjar (m) (5)

dagger

jahaan (m) (16)

world, universe

dard (m) (20)

pain

jigar (m) (8)

heart

0

0

0

4.1K


tum se to itna ho sakta hai

poochho haal bechaaron ka

they won’t open their mouths

those who love you will say nothing

if it is possible for you, at least

ask the condition of the poor souls

zabaan (m) (10)

language, tongue

chup (m) (8)

silent, quiet

aashiq (m) (5)

lover, fan

log (m) (9)

people

haal (m) (17)

plight, condition

0

0

1

4.2K


sar itna mat jhukaao ki

dastaar gir pade

what harm is there

in bowing respectfully, but

don’t bend so much

that your hat falls off

jhuk (m) (2)

bow

salaam (m) (5)

greeting, farewell

harj (m) (1)

harm, objection

magar (25)

yet, but

sar (m) (7)

front, top, head

dastaar (m) (1)

turban, head-dress

0

0

2

3.3K


tamanna raqs karti hai

takhayyul gungunaata hai

when this someone called to

wish me a new year on the phone

desire dances around me

my imagination stars to sing

1997: Jnanpith Award

1967: Padma Shri

tamanna (m) (13)

wish, desire

raqs (m) (3)

dance

tahneeyat (f) (1)

wishes, greetings

takhayyul (m) (1)

imagination

0

0

1

3.2K


ghar kahi gum ho gaya

deewar-o-dar ki darmiyaan

how many walls have arisen

within a home

the home is now lost somewhere

within these walls and doors

darmiyaan (f) (5)

between

gum (m) (2)

lost

deewar (m) (1)

wall

dar (m) (8)

window, door, gate

0

0

0

2.3K


qurbaton mein bhi

faasla nikla

in love too

politics arose

in even closeness

distances emerged

ishq (m) (34)

love

siyaasaten (f) (1)

politics

qurbaton (m) (2)

closeness, proximity

faasla (m) (6)

distance

nikla (12)

turned out, came out

0

0

0

4.1K


'jaun' yaaron ke

yaar the hum to

my friends now

don’t even remember me

though ‘juan’ was

a dear friend of theirs

yaad (m) (35)

memory, remember

yaaron (m) (3)

friends

0

0

0

3.0K


jo ajnabi mila

wahi apna laga mujhe

wounded by my loved ones

when i left the city

the strangers i met

felt like my own

zakhm (m) (15)

wound, injury

nikla (12)

turned out, came out

shahr (m) (13)

city

ajnabi (f) (5)

stranger

0

0

1

56


gar aap khud khush ho to

sab ko khush kar sakte hain

by grace, kindness is

found in the heart

if you are happy yourself…

you can make others happy

Anonymous

kindness

karam (m) (9)

kindness, grace, favor

dil (m) (106)

heart

aap (12)

respectful 'you'

khud (23)

myself

khush (9)

happy

sab (13)

all

1

0

1

4.0K


jo tumhen bhulaa chuka hai

use tum bhi bhool jaao

for how long this obsession over the

unfaithfulness of someone, ‘faraz’

the one who has forgotten you

you should forget them too

bewafa (m) (5)

unfaithful, disloyal

khaatir (m) (5)

caring

junoon (m) (10)

passion, madness

bhool (f) (15)

forget, mistake

2

0

1

3.3K


mere naseeb ki har ek

khushi mile tum ko

may i take all the sorrows

that are meant for you

and may all the happiness

destined for me...be yours

hisse (m) (3)

accounts

gham (m) (19)

sorrow, sadness

naseeb (m) (4)

fate, destiny

khushi (f) (8)

happiness

0

0

0

52


saza ko jaante hain hum

khuda jaane khataa kya hai

we are counted among the sinners

yet, unaware of our sins

we know the punishment,

god only knows what the crime is

gunahgaaron (m) (2)

sinners

shaamil (m) (3)

tobepresent

waaqif (m) (3)

aware of, familiar

saza (m) (4)

punishment

jaante (2)

know

khuda (m) (31)

god

khataa (m) (1)

mistake

0

0

0

68


aap se phir tum hue

phir tu ka unwaan ho gaye

when love grew beyond a point

it erased all formality

addressing as aap became a tum

which affectionately turned into tu

pyaar (m) (6)

love

had (f) (2)

boundary

takalluf (m) (3)

formality

aap (12)

respectful 'you'

unwaan (m) (1)

title, address, preface

0

0

1

2.3K


ek musaafir bhi

qaafila hai mujhe

need a companion

not a crowd

one such person

is a caravan for me

humsafar (m) (4)

companion

hujuum (m) (4)

crowd, throng

musaafir (m) (7)

fellow traveler

qaafila (m) (4)

caravan

2

0

3

1.7K


mujhe raahzanon se gila naheen

teri rahbari ka savaal hai

don’t talk about irrelevant stuff

first tell us how the caravan got looted

i have no complaint against the robbers

i have questions about your leadership

qaafila (m) (4)

caravan

luTaa (m) (1)

loot

raahzan (m) (4)

robber, looter

gila (m) (9)

fault, complaint

rahbari (f) (1)

guidance, leadership

savaal (m) (2)

question

1

0

4

3.5K


kaisaa tilism TuuTa hai

apne gumaan kaa

there is no one left

that i can call truly my own

how the spell has shattered

woven by my own assumptions

tilism (m) (4)

spell, magic

TuuTa (2)

broken

gumaan (m) (5)

suspicion, doubt

0

0

1

0


phir tasavvur ne liya

us bazm me jaane ka naam

flowers bloomed in sight again

and, again, my heart lit up

when i imagined again

going to the joyful gathering

1987: Sahitya Akademi

2008: Jnanpith

nazar (m) (30)

perspective, sight

phool (m) (14)

flowers, flower

shamein (m) (2)

lights

tasavvur (m) (6)

imagination

bazm (m) (11)

assembly, gathering

1

0

2

3.8K


main samajhta tha

mere yaar samajhte hain mujhe

even my friends consider me

an obstruction in their path

i used to believe

my friends understood me

yaar (m) (19)

friend, beloved

raah (m) (23)

street, path

deewaar (m) (4)

wall

understand, deem

0

0

0

48


kahiye jalti rahe ya

shama bujhaa di jaaye

you have come and the

house is filled with light

tell me, should i keep them lit

or turn these lamps off

ujaala (m) (3)

light

shama (m) (5)

lamp, candle, wax

bujhaa (2)

turn off

0

0

0

2.9K


lekin shaheed ho gaye

biwi ki nauj se

akbar was not subdued by

the army of an emperor

but he was martyred

by the lament of his wife

dabe (1)

vanquished, subdued

sultan (m) (2)

emperor

fauj (1)

army

shaheed (m) (1)

martyr

nauj (m) (1)

lament

0

0

0

2.2K


ik hosh ki saa'at kya kahiye

kuch yaad rahi kuch bhool gaye

when the wine-pourer handed me the cup

when the drinks were flowing freely

what to say of that moment of awareness

some things remembered, some forgotten

jaam (m) (10)

wine cup, goblet

saaqi (f) (9)

wine-pourer, bartender

daur (m) (3)

age, era, period

mehfil (m) (17)

gathering, concert

hosh (f) (7)

consciousness

saa'at (f) (1)

moment, time

yaad (m) (35)

memory, remember

0

0

0

54


meraa dushman

akela rah gayaa thaa

when i walked away

from the field

my enemy

was left alone

maidaan (m) (2)

field, ground

khaali (4)

empty

dushman (m) (7)

enemy

akela (m) (5)

alone, by oneself

0

0

1

0


sab ki nazron mein

aa gaye hain hum

she ignored me to

such extent

that i have now come

into everyone's sight

nazar-andaaz (m) (1)

ignored, overlooked

nazron (m) (2)

sight

0

0

0

48


to yeh rishta nibhaana

kis qadar aasaan ho jaaye

try giving up

all expectations of someone

hen notice how effortless it is

to keep the bond alive

ummeed (m) (10)

hope, expectation

chhoD (6)

leave

rishta (m) (5)

relationship

qadar (m) (8)

amount of, degree

aasaan (5)

easy

0

0

1

0


dekhna hai kheenchta hai

mujh pe pehla teer kaun

my friends too

like my enemies…are free

i have to see who

shoots the first arrow at me

aazaad (5)

free, freed

teer (m) (5)

arrow

0

0

5

4.5K


aqrabaa mere

karen qatl ka daavaa kis par

he's the murderer, the martyr

and he the judge remains

oh kinsmen of mine,

who shall we accuse of the murder?

qaatil (m) (10)

murderer, assassin

shaahid (m) (3)

witness

munsif (m) (2)

judge, arbitrator

aqrabaa (m) (1)

relatives, kinsmen

qatl (m) (3)

murder

daavaa (m) (1)

plaint, writ, accusation

1

0

0

3.9K


maine kis kis ko zamaane mein

khafa rakha hai

don't you know

for the sake of your pleasure

how many in this world

have i upset and alienated

ilm (m) (5)

knowledge, learning

razaa (m) (1)

pleasure, wish

khaatir (m) (5)

caring

zamaane (m) (9)

in the world

khafa (m) (6)

angry, upset

0

0

0

46


shama ka jism pighalne

ke baad aayi

this light hasn’t come into

your room all by itself

it has come after burning

the body of a candle

roshni (f) (5)

light, brightness

khud (23)

myself

shama (m) (5)

lamp, candle, wax

jism (m) (6)

body

0

0

0

3.9K


kal phir mashhoor ho jaaun toh

koyi rishta nikaal lena

i am an unknown today

so keep some distance

tomorrow when i become famous

you can find a relationship with me

Anonymous

gumnaam (m) (1)

anonymous, unknown

faasla (m) (6)

distance

famous, well-known

rishta (m) (5)

relationship

1

0

1

4.8K


mere safeene ko

gharqaab dekhne ke liye

such a strange rival

he drowned along with me

just to witness

my boat go under

ajab (m) (9)

strange, odd, unique

hareef (m) (1)

rival

Doob (m) (4)

sink, drown

safeene (m) (1)

boat, ship

gharqaab (m) (1)

sinking, drowning

0

0

1

0


ye betarteeb yaaraane

haseen maloom hote hain

frequent meetings make

the heart lose its thrill

these scattered encounters

are charming and delightful

mulaaqatein (f) (1)

meetings, encounters

musalsal (m) (3)

continuous, always, constant

dilchaspi (f) (1)

interest, fascination

betarteeb (m) (1)

scattered, disorderly

yaaraane (m) (1)

friendships

haseen (10)

beautiful

maloom (4)

to know

0

0

1

0


tera aansu mere

rumaal mein aa jata hai

my eyes are aware

of your weeping

and your tears find

their way into my handkerchief

khabar (f) (11)

news, awareness

aankhen (m) (7)

eyes

aansu (m) (6)

tears

rumaal (m) (1)

handkerchief

0

0

1

4.2K


sab kuch allah ne de rakkha hai

shawhar ke siva

who indeed is luckier

than gauhar at this moment?

god has given her everything

except a husband

khush (9)

happy

naseeb (m) (4)

fate, destiny

bhala (2)

good

gauhar (m) (1)

pearl, gem

allah (m) (5)

god

shawhar (m) (1)

husband

0

0

0

1


aur tabeeb bankar

khudi marham lagaate hai

(s)he hurts me, piercing

arrows into my heart

and then (s)he heals it,

applying the balm

Anonymous

khaleja (m) (1)

courage, heart (lit. liver)

teer (m) (5)

arrow

bismil (3)

injured, victim, slain

tabeeb (m) (2)

doctor

marham (m) (2)

balm, healing ointment

0

0

0

2.4K


mehroom rehte hain jo

shafiq-e-deedaar se

they wilt and they scatter

those sad relationships

that are deprived of the

compassionate sight of the beloved

Anonymous

murjha (m) (2)

wilt

bikhar (m) (3)

scatter, disperse

mayoos (m) (2)

sad, hopeless

rishte (m) (3)

relationships

mehroom (m) (1)

deprived

shafiq (m) (1)

compassionate

deedaar (m) (2)

glimpse, sight, vision

0

0

0

3.5K


ik zara aaina

dikhaane mein

how angry

friends became

when just shown

the mirror

naaraaz (m) (3)

angry, anger

aaina (m) (6)

mirror

dikhaane (m) (3)

shown

0

0

0

2.9K


chaahat ki is had par, yaarab,

hum to deewaane lagte hain

why do new acquaintances

seem like old friends to us

affection to this extent, oh god,

makes us look a little mad

dost (m) (9)

friend

old

chaahat (f) (3)

longing, desire

deewaane (m) (3)

crazy, mad people

0

0

10

1.9K


tum se raushan

ye konaa konaa hai

pray do not leave

the gathering just yet

your presence lights up

every nook and corner

mehfil (m) (17)

gathering, concert

raushan (m) (5)

brightness, light up

konaa (m) (1)

corner, nook

0

0

0

0


itna to ghar se mere

kuchh naheen ghar duur tera

these are all excuses

for not visting, my friend

my home, after all,

is not that far from yours

bahaane (m) (1)

excuses

varna (m) (6)

or else

miyaan (f) (2)

my friend

duur (m) (7)

distant, far away

0

0

0

10


khuda ki rahmat hai

khuda ki inaayat hai

this tiny life

this hint of a smile

is god's mercy

and the gift of providence

Anonymous

nanhi (f) (1)

tiny, small, miniscule

jaan (m) (15)

life, strength / beloved

khuda (m) (31)

god

rahmat (f) (4)

mercy

inaayat (f) (1)

blessing, courtesy

0

0

0

2.7K


tu ne vaada kiya tha

yaad to kar

your constraints

are understandable, but...

you made a promise

please remember that

majbooriyan (f) (1)

constraints

durust (1)

accurate, proper, just

vaada (m) (5)

promise

yaad (m) (35)

memory, remember

0

0

4

2.3K


mere bachche mujhe

buDha nahi hone dete

the mountain of needs

won’t let me get tired

my children

won’t let me grow old

zaroorat (f) (4)

need, necessity

pahaad (m) (1)

mountain

bachche (m) (3)

kids

0

0

1

3.3K


jo waqt aane par

waqt dete hai

beautiful

are those

who, when times are tough,

give us their time

Anonymous

beautiful

log (m) (9)

people

waqt (m) (20)

time

1

0

0

4.1K


na muD ke dekhaa kabhii

saahilon ko dariyaa ne

in a voyage, no one

waits for the other for long

the flowing river never

looks back at the shores behind

safar (m) (24)

journey, travel

dariyaa (m) (13)

river

0

0

2

2


dushman bhi mere haal pe

ab aab-deeda hai

if you can’t pity me,

my friend, what can i do?

for even the enemy weeps,

listening to my fate

dost (m) (9)

friend

rahm (m) (1)

mercy, pity, compassion

dushman (m) (7)

enemy

haal (m) (17)

plight, condition

aab (m) (3)

water

deeda (m) (4)

eyes, sight

0

0

0

4.1K


honTon pe latife hain

awaaz mein chaale hain

in this city,

the style of living is so strange

wit and smile on the lips

but sharp edges in the voice

2007: Padma Bhushan

2013: Sahitya Akademi Award

shahar (m) (1)

city

andaaz (m) (10)

mannerism, style

niraale (m) (2)

unique, strange, quaint

honTon (m) (2)

lips

awaaz (m) (2)

voice

chaale (m) (1)

blisters, sores

0

0

1

4.8K


ke tere marz ka ilaaj

mehfil hai doston ki

feeling my pulse

my doctor smiled and said

the cure for your illness

is a party with friends

Anonymous

ilaaj (m) (5)

cure, treatment

nabj (m) (1)

pulse

hans (m) (6)

swans / smile, laugh

hakeem (m) (2)

healer, physician

marz (m) (1)

illness

mehfil (m) (17)

gathering, concert

0

0

0

3.0K


ghar mein humsaaye ke

faaqaa naheen hone dete

even today in villages,

those living in some mud houses

do not let their neigbors

ever go hungry

gaanv (m) (3)

village

makaanon (m) (1)

houses

humsaaye (m) (1)

neighbor

faaqaa (m) (1)

impoverished, hungry

0

0

0

0


jab bure waqt pe dekha to

koyi yaar na tha

who wasn't i friends with?

who didn't i love dearly?

in my days of misfortune,

i didn't have a single friend

dosti (f) (4)

friendship

pyaar (m) (6)

love

waqt (m) (20)

time

yaar (m) (19)

friend, beloved

0

0

0

2.8K


kitna aasaan tha

ilaaj mera

if only they had asked

how i am doing

how easy would

my cure have been

mizaaj (m) (4)

temperament, disposition

aasaan (5)

easy

ilaaj (m) (5)

cure, treatment

2

0

2

1.9K


mumkin hi nahi lagta

ai dost, tujhe paanaa

arriving like a dream, and

leaving with fragrance behind

it seems impossible, my friend,

to find someone like you

khwaabon (m) (2)

dreams

tarah (f) (15)

type, like, similar to

khushbu (m) (10)

fragrance

mumkin (8)

possible

0

0

1

3.0K


milengi khamiyaan apne hi

shah-kaaron mein

if i would see myself

through the eyes of others

i’d surely see the flaws indeed

in my own reasons and actions

aankhon (m) (11)

eyes

khamiyaan (f) (1)

shortcomings

shah-kaaron (m) (1)

deeds, masterpieces

0

0

0

1.8K


be-matlab baaton

se achchhi khaamoshi

better than pointless get-togethers

is solitude

better than meaningless talk

is silence

maqsad (m) (2)

goal

mehfil (m) (17)

gathering, concert

behtar (5)

better

tanhaai (f) (11)

solitude, loneliness

matlab (m) (2)

meaning / concern

khaamoshi (f) (4)

silence

0

0

0

3.5K


main chaahtaa huun

khafa ho to woh khafa hi lage

what a strange man

who smiles though upset inside

i wish he looks angry

when he is angry within

1999: Sahitya Akademi

1999: Padma Shri

shakhs (m) (16)

person, individual

ajeeb (m) (7)

strange, weird

naaraaz (m) (3)

angry, anger

smile

khafa (m) (6)

angry, upset

0

0

0

4.7K


is takalluf se karam ho to

sitam hota hai

this inquiry of my condition

is so that i can’t say anything

kindness with such formality

becomes cruelty indeed

sitam (m) (12)

tyranny, cruelty

takalluf (m) (3)

formality

purseesh (f) (1)

inquiry

haal (m) (17)

plight, condition

karam (m) (9)

kindness, grace, favor

0

0

0

4.4K


khud ko

be-etibaar karte ho

why do you make promises

again and again

you only make

yourself untrustworthy

vaada (m) (5)

promise

khud (23)

myself

etibaar (m) (2)

trust

0

0

0

29


jo kho gaye hain

un ka pata mat kiya karo

not valuing those

who are with you

do not go searching

for those who are lost

mil (7)

meet

tavaazo (m) (3)

humility, modesty

chhod (2)

left

kho (4)

lose

pata (m) (5)

address, whereabouts

0

0

1

4


aye jaane wafa

yeh zulm na kar

tyranny for loved ones

kindness for strangers

o faithful one

be not so cruel

1971: Padma Shri

2013: Commemorative Stamp India

karam (m) (9)

kindness, grace, favor

gairon (m) (1)

strangers

apno (m) (2)

lovedones

sitam (m) (12)

tyranny, cruelty

zulm (m) (12)

cruelty, tyranny

1

0

1

4.8K


tu dost hai to naseehat

na kar khuda ke liye

my conscience is enough

for my punishment

if you are my friend,

for god’s sake, don’t give me advice

zameer (m) (1)

conscience

bahut (20)

too much or many

sazaa (m) (1)

punishment

dost (m) (9)

friend

naseehat (f) (3)

advice, counsel

khuda (m) (31)

god

1

0

0

4.8K


rang dekho

ghareeb khane ka

my beloved made a promise

to come

just look at how this humble abode

has turned so colorful

vaada (m) (5)

promise

rang (m) (11)

color, colors

home of the poor

0

0

1

3.6K


ab milte hain

jab bhi fursat hoti hai

once, we stole time

to be with each other

now, we only meet

only if leisure permits

2007: Padma Bhushan

2013: Sahitya Akademi Award

tab (3)

pain, shining

donon (m) (4)

both

waqt (m) (20)

time

fursat (f) (5)

leisure, freedom

0

0

0

0


tajmahal duniya dekhi

mumtaj nahi

give time for

your relationships

world has seen taj mahal

mumtaj did not

Anonymous

waqt (m) (20)

time

rishte (m) (3)

relationships

0

0

0

3.1K


qurbaton mein bhi

faasla hai yahaan

people here are cautious

in their behaviors

even in closeness

there is a distance

faasla (m) (6)

distance

mohtaat (f) (1)

cautious, careful

ravayyon (m) (1)

behavior, mannerisms

qurbaton (m) (2)

closeness, proximity

0

0

1

2.5K


saaya bhi juda ho gaya

jab waqt pada hai

for ages

it has been this way

even your shadow leaves

when bad times fall

sadiyon (f) (4)

ages, centuries

waqt (m) (20)

time

saaya (m) (5)

shadow

andaaz (m) (10)

mannerism, style

juda (m) (1)

separate, leave

0

0

0

2.5K


maana ki yaar kam hain

par itne to kam nahin

why are strangers allowed

in our gathering of joy

yes, our friends are few

but not so few

aghyaar (m) (1)

strangers

daakhil (m) (1)

allowed, permitted

bazm (m) (11)

assembly, gathering

suroor (m) (3)

delight, joy

maana (5)

agreed, listen to

yaar (m) (19)

friend, beloved

par (m) (17)

wings, feathers / upon

2

0

2

3.7K


wafaa jafaa ka

puraana hisaab rahne do

let us start anew

let us make new vows

leave the old accounts

of faith and betrayal alone

sire (m) (1)

beginning, starting point

ahd (m) (3)

vow, promise

wafaa (m) (5)

faithfulness

jafaa (m) (4)

injustice, cruelty

old

hisaab (m) (3)

count, account

0

0

1

71


dushmanon se koi khatra nahi

bas apne par nazar rakhna

having arrived in this world

figure out the art of living

there is no danger from enemies

just keep a watch on your dear ones

Anonymous

hunar (m) (4)

skill, art

khatra (m) (1)

danger

par (m) (17)

wings, feathers / upon

nazar (m) (30)

perspective, sight

1

0

10

3.4K


gila na kar jo kabhi

tera humnava na hua

my entire life, i struggled

and fought with myself

so, don’t complain that

i couldn’t be there for you

lifelong

tamaam (7)

entire, all, whole

ikhtilaaf (m) (1)

in opposition, difference

gila (m) (9)

fault, complaint

kabhi (26)

on occasion

humnava (m) (2)

fellow songster, friend

0

0

0

4.4K


khushk mausam tha

magar TuuT ke barsaat hui

eyes welled with the

reunion of the loved one

after a long season of drought

the sky broke to rain down

aankh (m) (11)

eyes, eye

bhar (m) (10)

fill

mulaaqaat (f) (5)

meeting

khushk (m) (2)

dry, drought

mausam (m) (6)

weather, season

magar (25)

yet, but

TuuT (m) (3)

break

barsaat (f) (3)

rain

0

0

3

2.7K


ab suna hai ki vahi shakhs

khafa hai mujh se

the one for whom i have

turned my back on all bonds

i hear that very person

now resents me

khaatir (m) (5)

caring

munkir (m) (1)

denier, disavower

suna (9)

hear

shakhs (m) (16)

person, individual

khafa (m) (6)

angry, upset

0

0

1

59


vagarna afv ke qaabil

mere gunaah nahin

it is only by your mercy

that i expect absolution

else, my sins are beyond

any claim for pardon

faqat (6)

only, just, simply

ummeed (m) (10)

hope, expectation

rahmat (f) (4)

mercy

vagarna (m) (2)

otherwise

afv (m) (1)

pardon, forgiveness

qaabil (m) (4)

worthy, deserving

gunaah (m) (2)

sins, crimes

0

0

0

0


muaaf kar ke mujhe

inteqaam us ne liya

i had fallen wounded

when he picked and held me

forgiving me

he took his revenge

zakhm (m) (15)

wound, injury

thaam (4)

hold, grasp

muaaf (1)

forgive

inteqaam (m) (2)

revenge, reprisal

0

0

0

4.4K


apne hi ghar mein

ajnabi ki tarah

the tragedy is that

people stay

in their own homes

as strangers

haadse (m) (1)

calamities, accidents

log (m) (9)

people

ajnabi (f) (5)

stranger

tarah (f) (15)

type, like, similar to

1

0

2

3.1K


tera haath haath mein aa gaya ke

charaagh raah mein jal gaye

achieving my goals has become easier

winds have changed direction in my favor

when your hand did join my hand

bright lamps lit up my entire path

1993: Dadasaheb Phalke Award

2013: India Commemorative Stamp

charaagh (m) (15)

lamp, light, flame

rukh (m) (13)

face, direction

sahal (1)

easy

manzilen (m) (2)

goals, destinations

hawa (m) (5)

breeze, wind

1

0

2

3.8K


be-naqaab

hote hain

people

don’t change, ghalib

they become

unmasked

Anonymous

unveiled, unmasked

0

0

0

1.7K


kahne ko

ghamkhwaar hai duniya

who truly shares

anyone else's sorrow?

the world only

pretends to care

gham (m) (19)

sorrow, sadness

ghamkhwaar (m) (1)

sympathizer

duniya (m) (25)

world

0

0

1

12


tu samajhta hai mujhe

tujh se gila kuchh bhi naheen

i remain silent for this reason:

to not create a scene

but you conclude (mistakenly)

i have no complaints against you

chup (m) (8)

silent, quiet

tamaasha (m) (3)

spectacle, drama, show

gila (m) (9)

fault, complaint

0

0

0

2.9K


jo dil pe lagaa aa kar

ik dost ne maaraa hai

i endured countless stones

thrown at me

but the one that struck my heart

is the one thrown by a friend

patthar (m) (4)

stone

hazaaron (m) (4)

thousands

dil (m) (106)

heart

dost (m) (9)

friend

0

0

1

0


tu ne kabhi dushman se

lipaT kar nahi dekha

you have only been waving

this dagger of hate

you haven't tried ever

embracing your enemy

sirf (4)

only

dashna (m) (1)

dagger

nafrat (f) (1)

hate

kabhi (26)

on occasion

dushman (m) (7)

enemy

0

0

0

2.5K


jab kisi shahr mein

kuchh yaar puraane se mile

received a new wound

and found a new life

when in the new city

found some old friends

Anonymous

zakhm (m) (15)

wound, injury

nayi (5)

new

umr (m) (15)

life

shahr (m) (13)

city

yaar (m) (19)

friend, beloved

old

0

0

0

2.8K


ek rishta jise

ta-umr nibhaaye rakkha

a relationship to which

i could give no name

a relationship that

i upheld for a lifetime

rishta (m) (5)

relationship

ta-umr (m) (1)

lifetime

nibhaaye (m) (1)

fulfill, uphold

0

0

0

2.4K


wahi andaaz hai

zaalim ka zamaane wala

though being my friend

he does not stand by me

just like the way

the heartless world always behaves

dost (m) (9)

friend

andaaz (m) (10)

mannerism, style

zaalim (m) (8)

oppressor, tyrant

zamaane (m) (9)

in the world

1

0

0

65


aksar hain maal waale

kum hain kamaal waale

after deep scrutiny

we discovered this truth

there are many with wealth

but few with true excellence

tahqeeq (m) (1)

scrutiny, research

nazar (m) (30)

perspective, sight

aakhir (4)

alas, afterall

koon (m) (3)

poetic form of ko

aksar (6)

often

maal (m) (2)

treasure, goods

kamaal (m) (3)

feat, wonder

0

0

2

5


jaane na jaane gul hi na jaane

baagh to saara jaane hai

every leaf, every plant

knows my feelings

the whole garden knows them,

even if the flower doesn't

pattaa (m) (1)

leaf

buutaa (m) (1)

shrub, bush

haal (m) (17)

plight, condition

gul (m) (19)

flower

baagh (m) (4)

garden

1

0

0

2.8K


yeh zameen chaand se behtar

nazar aati hai hamen

when life brings me to

your gathering

this earth looks to me

more beautiful than the moon

1987: Sahitya Akademi

2008: Jnanpith

zindagi (f) (41)

life

bazm (m) (11)

assembly, gathering

zameen (m) (12)

ground, earth, land

chaand (m) (9)

moon

behtar (5)

better

nazar (m) (30)

perspective, sight

0

0

1

4.4K


kitni azaadi se hum

apni hadon mein qaid hain

even in closeness, we are

imprisoned by distances

how freely we are confined

within our boundaries

qurbatein (f) (1)

closeness

faaslon (m) (1)

distances

qaid (m) (5)

imprisoned, captive

azaadi (f) (2)

freedom

hadon (m) (1)

boundaries

0

0

0

67


muskuraa dete hain bachche

aur mar jaata huun main

at the end of the day

when i return home, empty-handed

my kids make me smile

and i die a little inside

shaam (m) (20)

evening

waqt (m) (20)

time

khaali (4)

empty

haath (m) (10)

hand

smile

bachche (m) (3)

kids

0

0

0

3.7K


jo chhanv mehrban ho

use apna ghar na jaan

whoever you find along the way

mistake them not as friends of life

that free shade you find

mistake it not as your home

Anonymous

safar (m) (24)

journey, travel

shareek (m) (3)

heaven, participant

mehrban (m) (1)

benevolent,

0

0

0

4.0K


baDa naheen huun magar tujh se

qad mein kam bhi naheen

i bowed when i met you

but do keep this in mind

i am not greater than you

but am not less either

jhuk (m) (2)

bow

magar (25)

yet, but

dhyaan (f) (5)

attention, focus

rahe (m) (19)

remain

qad (m) (1)

stature

0

0

0

49


saaf pehchan liya jata hun

roya hua main

i get acquainted with others

with a smile, ‘zafar’

but i get to know them clearly

only when i am weeping

muskurate (m) (1)

smiling

pehchan (m) (1)

identity

0

0

0

1.8K


teri mehfil mein lekin

hum na honge

there will be no shortage

of those that love you

but in your celebration

alas, i won’t be there

mohabbat (f) (41)

love

mehfil (m) (17)

gathering, concert

1

0

4

3.9K


main ne jis haath ko chooma

vahi khanjar nikla

i was convinced about the love

of those in my society

but, the hand that i sought to kiss

turned out to be a dagger

shahr (m) (13)

city

mohabbat (f) (41)

love

qaael (m) (1)

convinced

magar (25)

yet, but

haath (m) (10)

hand

chooma (m) (1)

kiss

khanjar (m) (5)

dagger

nikla (12)

turned out, came out

0

0

0

2.9K


badan haseen hai to kya

belibaas aayega

he/she speaks frankly but, yet,

must master the grace of speech

the body maybe beautiful

but will it come naked?

magar (25)

yet, but

hunar (m) (4)

skill, art

badan (m) (5)

body

haseen (10)

beautiful

belibaas (m) (1)

unclothed, naked

0

0

1

0


main ghar se jab nikalta huun

dua bhi saath chalti hai

my mother is still alive

nothing bad can happen to me

whenever i leave the home

her blessings accompany me

2014: Sahitya Akademi

dua (m) (11)

blessing, prayer

zinda (4)

alive

0

0

7

3.7K


tum rahe na tum

hum rahe na hum

what a beautiful tragedy

time has produced

you have not remained the same

nor have i remained myself

waqt (m) (20)

time

haseen (10)

beautiful

sitam (m) (12)

tyranny, cruelty

rahe (m) (19)

remain

2

0

1

2.1K


jo dosti yahi Thahri

to dushmani kya hai?

under the guise of loyalty

so much cruelty inflicted upon us

if this is friendship

what then is enmity?

wafaa (m) (5)

faithfulness

aad (m) (1)

cover, guise

jafaa (m) (4)

injustice, cruelty

dosti (f) (4)

friendship

dushmani (f) (1)

enmity

0

0

0

3.6K


tu ne bhi khudaayaa meri

niyyat nahin dekhi

like everyone else

you too pointed out my flaws

you too, oh god,

did not see my intentions

aib (m) (2)

fault, flaw, vice

khudaayaa (m) (1)

ohgod

niyyat (f) (2)

purpose, intention

0

0

0

3.5K


kitne pyaare hain

mujhe chhoD ke jaane waale

those who embrace me tightly

every time we meet

how loving they are…those who

leave me behind eventually

mulaaqaat (f) (5)

meeting

embrace

chhoD (6)

leave

0

0

1

3.5K


woh sochta hai to

mujhko sunaayi deta hai

sometimes, he

grants such access

when he thinks

i can hear him

1971: Padma Shri

2013: Commemorative Stamp India

kabhi (26)

on occasion

rasaayi (f) (1)

access

sochta (4)

think

1

0

2

5.0K


aise zinda thay ki

jeene ki alaamat hum thay

we were the flowers, the colors

the freshness of those moments

we lived like

we were the symbols of living

phool (m) (14)

flowers, flower

rang (m) (11)

color, colors

lamhon (m) (1)

moments

sabaahat (f) (1)

freshness, morning

zinda (4)

alive

alaamat (f) (1)

seal, sign

0

0

0

1.9K


josh-e-qadah se

bazm charaaghaan kiye huye

it has been a while since

i had my friend as a guest

with the gathering all lit up by

the vigor and zeal of wine

muddat (f) (5)

period, duration

yaar (m) (19)

friend, beloved

mehmaan (m) (2)

guest

qadah (m) (1)

cup of wine

bazm (m) (11)

assembly, gathering

1

0

3

3.6K


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Alfaaz Ki Mehfil is a curated space for timeless poetry celebrating words, emotions, and the enduring beauty of expression. From classic Urdu couplets to modern reflections, it brings together generations of poetic voices that speak of love, longing, hope, and the human soul.

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