Home | October '99 Index

Date: 24-Nov-99
Poet: Siraj Lucknawi

Siraj Lucknawi was born in 1894 in Lucknow. His real name was 
Siraj ul Hasan. He was the protege of Pyare Saahab Rashid and
Baqir Raza Haamid. His poem compilation is titled 'Shola-e-Awaaz'.
He passed away on 22nd January, 1968 in Lucknow.

His most well-known sher is often quoted by people who are 
unaware of its author:

aap ke paa.Nv ke niiche dil hai
ik zaraa aap ko zahamat hogii

Here is the Gazal of the day:

samajhaa thaa mia.n mujhe kisii qaabil banaa diyaa
ye kyaa kiyaa ki dard ko phir dil banaa diyaa

Gam ne taGaiyuraat ke qaabil banaa diyaa
jo dard apanii had se ba.Dhaa dil banaa diyaa

[taGaiyuraat = change]

itane muGaalate diye ummiid-o-biim ne
saahil ko mauj mauj ko saahil banaa diyaa

[muGaalate = illusions; ummiid-o-biim = hope and disappointment]
[saahil = shore]

itanii ka.Dii nigaah se dekhaa na kiijiye 
har rishta-e-nazar ko rag-e-dil banaa diyaa

[ka.Dii = stern; rag-e-dil = nerve of the heart]

ye kyaa banaane vaale tere jii me.n aa ga_ii
bijali banaa rahaa thaa magar dil banaa diyaa

har zarraa rahaguzar kaa to hiiraa nahii.n "Siraj"
jis me.n salaahiyat thii use dil banaa diyaa

[zarraa = speck of dust; rahaguzar = path; salaahiyat = qualified]

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There will be no postings for the next four days. The next 
poem shall be e-mailed on Monday the 29th of November.

For those in the US, wishing you all a very happy 
Thanksgiving weekend.