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After a brief hiatus, we are back with the next edition of Mehfil-e-Gazal.

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Today's Gazal is by Majaz. Born in 1909 in Rudauli in the Barabanki district of
Uttar Pradesh, Majaz's real name was Asrar ul Haq. He considered Fani Badayuni
as his 'ustad'. His poetry works consist of the following compilations -
Shab-e-taab, Aahang, Saaz-e-nau.

Majaz passed away on 5th December 1955 in Lucknow.


Khud dil me.n rah ke aa.Nkh se pardaa kare ko_ii
haa.N! lutf jab hai, paa ke bhii Dhuu.nDaa kare ko_ii

tum ne to hukm-e-tark-e-tamannaa sunaa diyaa
kis dil se aah! tark-e-tamannaa kare ko_ii

[hukm-e-tark-e-tamannaa = order to give up one's desire]

duniyaa laraz ga_ii dil-e-hasarat-nasiib kii
is tarah saaz-e-aish na chhe.Daa kare ko_ii

[laraz jaanaa = to shake; dil-e-hasarat-nasiib = heart filled with desire; saaz
= music/tune]

mujhako ye aarazuu vo uThaaye.n naqaab Khud
un ko ye i.ntazaar, taqaazaa kare ko_ii

[taqaazaa = want/to ask for]

** The mention of naqaab reminds me of a beautiful sher from an exceptionally
beautiful Gazal by Aga Hashr:

go havaa-e-gulsitaa.N ne, mere dil kii laaj rakh lii
vo naqaab Khud uThaate, to kuchh aur baat hotii

One of my all-time favourite Gazals**


ra.ngiiniy-e-naqaab me.n gum ho ga_ii nazar
kyaa behijaabiyo.n kaa taqaazaa kare ko_ii

[behijaab = without a veil]

yaa to kisii ko jur'at-e-diidaar hii na ho
yaa phir merii nigaah se dekhaa kare ko_ii

[jur'at-e-diidaar = courage to view/see]

hotii hai is me.n husn kii tauhiin ai 'Majaz'
itanaa na ahal-e-ishq ko rusvaa kare ko_ii

[tauhiin = insult; ahal-e-ishq = people who love; rusvaa = to give a bad
name/reputation]

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