Ye kya jagah hai doston
Posted on: February 15, 2012
Renowned Urdu poet Akhlaq Mohammad Khan, who wrote under the pen name ‘Shahryar’ and immortalized himself as the lyricist of ‘Umrao Jaan’, passed away in Aligarh on Monday (13th february 2012) after battling lung cancer. He was 75 and received the Jnanpith Award for 2008.
Sharayar was a well respect man in liteary circles, as can be seen from the fact that he received Jnanpith Award, which is India’s highest award in literary field. Hindi movies were fortunate that Shahryar wrote lyrics for a few Hindi movies.
The most well known of his lyrics are from “Umrao Jaan” (1981). Ordinary music lovers are fimilar with his name mainly because of the songs of this movie.
I have discussed two songs from “Umrao Jaan” (1981) in the past. As a tribute to the departed soul, here is another immortal song from this movie. The song is sung by Asha Bhonsle and it is picturised on Rekha. Music is composed by Khayyam.
Lyrics of this song were sent to me by nahm.
PS-Most people appreciate this ghazal without being able to understand many words of the songs. Sudhir jee has kindly provided the translation of this immortal ghazal too. So many more people can now appreciate this ghazal more knowledgeably.
Audio
Video
Song-e kya jagah hai doston (Umrao Jaan)(1981) Singer-Asha Bhonsle, Lyrics-Shaharyar, MD-Khayyam
Lyrics(Provided by nahm)
yeh kya jageh hai doston
yeh kya jageh hai doston
yeh kaun sa dayaar hai
yeh kaun sa dayaar hai
hadd-e-nigaah tak jahaan
hadd-e-nigaah tak jahaan
gubaar hi gubaar hai
gubaar hi gubaar hai
yeh kya jageh hai doston
yeh kis maqaam par hayaat
yeh kis maqaam par hayaat
mujh ko le ke aa gayi
mujh ko le ke aa gayi
na bas khushi pe hai jahaan
na bas khushi pe hai jahaan
na gham pe ikhteyaar hai
na gham pe ikhtiyaar hai
yeh kya jageh hai doston
yeh kaun sa dayaar hai
yeh kaun sa dayaar hai
tamaam umr ka hisaab
tamaam umr ka hisaab
maangti hai zindagi
maangti hai zindagi
yeh mera dil kahe to kya
yeh mera dil kahe to kya
ke khud se sharmsaar hai
ke khud se sharmsaar hai
yeh kya jageh hai doston
yeh kaun sa dayaar hai
yeh kaun sa dayaar hai
bulaa rahaa hai kaun
bulaa rahaa hai kaun
mujh ko chilmanon ke uss taraf
mere liye bhi kyaa koyi
mere liye bhi kya koyi
udaas beqaraar hai
udaas beqaraar hai
yeh kya jageh hai doston
yeh kaun sa dayaar hai
yeh kaun sa dayaar hai
hadd-e-nigaah tak jahaan
gubaar hi gubaar hai
gubaar hi gubaar hai
yeh kya jageh hai doston
————————————————–
Translation(Provided by Sudhir)
————————————————–
yeh kya jageh hai dosto, yeh kaun sa dayaar hai
hadd-e-nigaah tak jahaan, gubaar hi gubaar hai
Lo, what place,
What land is this my friends
It is just clouds of sand
And more sand
As far as the eyes can see
NOTES:
jageh = place
dayaar = literally means = doorway, entryway; also means = land, country
nigaah = vision, sight
hadd = limit, boundary
hadd-e-nigaah = limits of vision; as far as eyes can see
gubaar = dust clouds in a desert storm; also means = grief, vexation, pent up emotions
The poet writes – that he wonders where he has come, what place this is, the entire environment is full of clouds of dust, as in a sand storm. This sand storm is the only thing visible as far as he can see, and that he cannot see anything else because of these clouds of dust. Metaphorically, the poet is wondering about his life, to what juncture it has come. It is lonely as if he is in a desert, and the emotional baggage of grief and rancor is so overpowering, that he cannot feel anything else other than that. As far as he can explore his emotions (hadd-e-nigaah) he finds only grief, vexation, and perplexity; and that he cannot feel anything else.
yeh kis maqaam par hayaat, mujh ko le ke aa gayi
na bas khushi pe hai jahaan, na gham pe ikhteyaar hai
What is this destination
That my meandering life has brought me to
Where I am not the master
Even of my own emotions
I have no sway over my own happiness
And no control on my own sorrows
NOTES:
maqaam = destination, way stop
hayaat = life, existence
bas = control, influence
khushi = happiness
gham = sorrow, anguish
ikhteyaar = authority, control, command
And so the metaphor of the previous verse continues to be emphasized more strongly. Alas, this life and its experiences have brought me to that perplexing stage where my own emotions are not under my own control; that I have no authority, no influence over my own happiness or sorrows. The poet is expressing that extreme state of helplessness in life where even something as personal as one’s own emotions, are a slave of something else – circumstances, environment, other people in life. . . whatever that maybe, just that even my own happiness and sorrow is not my own to command.
tamaam umr ka hisaab, maangti hai zindagi
yeh mera dil kahe to kya, ke khud se sharmsaar hai
(As if it’s the Day of Judgment, and)
Life is demanding an account
Of the years spent
Alas, at this end
I have no triumphs
No realizations to tender
And my heart is embarrassed, reluctant
NOTES:
tamaam = complete, in entirety
umr = duration of life, years
hisaab = account, net result, residual, that which remains
maangti = asks, demands
zindagi = life
khud = self
sharm = embarrassment, feeling of shame, humiliation
sharmsaar = embarrassed, ashamed, humiliated
And then, at this juncture in life, as the poet tries to balance the years spent against what he has accomplished, he says he is ashamed that he has nothing to show for the time he has used from this life, and that his heart is too embarrassed to say anything.
bulaa rahaa hai kaun, mujh ko chilmanon ke uss taraf
mere liye bhi kya koyi udaas beqaraar hai
And yet
Who is this One
Who beckons me
From the other side (of the screen)
Is there really Someone
Who is sad without me
Who awaits me eagerly, restlessly
NOTES:
chilman = curtain, screen, separation
uss taraf = the other side
udaas = sad
be-qaraar = restless, eager, impatient
And yet, in the midst of all this grief and self-embarrassed stillness, the poet feels the call of Someone from across the layers of existence, across the divide that separates the human from the Divine. He wonders who is this beckoning him. In this world, at this juncture, there are no friends or loved ones, none who care for him, none who would call out to him. But from across the curtain of existence, apparently there is Someone waiting, and even that wait is eager and restless. It can only be someone who is truly and deeply in love with me.
7 Responses to "Ye kya jagah hai doston"
February 16, 2012 at 3:57 am
Shahryaar ji, you’ve given your best to us,
Yet you were a Urdu poet than film lyricist.
We all will cherish your contribution to film music.
May God (Allah) bless your soul.
RIP.
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February 17, 2012 at 2:18 am
Atul ji,
This Tuesday (14th Feb), I was in the car driving back home from work. TIme was around 5.30 pm, Generally when I am driving alone, I tune into FM Gold channel of All India Radio. From 5 pm to 6pm every day, the program on Urdu ghazals and shaayari is broadcast, called ‘Andaaz e Bayaan’. On the 14th, the entire program was devoted to Shehryar. It was a sad broadcast, as the RJ presented a brief biography and details about his career and his writings, interspersed with ghazals. A very talented poet, indeed.
Zindagi Jab Bhi Teri Bazm Mein Laati Hai Hamen
Ye Zameen Chand Se Behtar Nazar Aati Hai Hamen
May the Peace of Allaah be with you
Rgds
Sudhir
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February 18, 2018 at 10:41 pm
Today is Khayyam Saab’s birth anniversary (91st) !!!
Wishing him a Very Happy Birthday and a healthy and peaceful life ahead.
!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOvvMQ5Ji5M
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Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
February 15, 2012 at 11:42 pm
“Tamaam umr ka hissaab maangthi hai zindagi”
everytime I listen this line through ashaji`s voice, my heart skips a beat.
God Bless you “Shahryaar ji”
aapko meri SHRADDHANJALI
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