Rahat Indori - Maal jitna tha wo chowkidaar lekar ud gaya - Translation and Thoughts

Today I am reading and thinking about a poem by contemporary Indian poet Rahat Indori. He is one of the only current poets from India that I regularly listen to through his youtube channel. Here is a ghazal with three couplets. First the ghazal and then some translation and thoughts: 

Phool se titli udi chhat se kabutar ud gaya
Ek zara si aankh jhapki thi ke manzar ud gaya

Mutmayin tha ke sar pe aasmaan maujood hai
Aayi aisi zor ki aandhi ke chhappar ud gaya

Saanp baithe the khazaane pe wo baithe reh gaya
Maal jitna tha wo chowkidaar lekar ud gaya





Translation and Notes: 

Phool se titli udi chhat se kabutar ud gaya
Ek zara si aankh jhapki thi ke manzar ud gaya

* manzar - spectacle, a scene, view

A butterfly flew from the flower, a pigeon flew from the roof
The eyelids shut for a moment and the whole scene flew away

Mutmayin tha ke sar pe aasmaan maujood hai
Aayi aisi zor ki aandhi ke chhappar ud gaya

* Mutmayin - safe, secure, tranquil, content, at peace, satisfied

It was safe for the sky over the head
A strong storm flew the roof

Saanp baithe the khazaane pe wo baithe reh gaya
Maal jitna tha wo chowkidaar lekar ud gaya

* chowkidaar - watchman or gatekeeper

The Snakes kept sitting guarding the treasure
Whatever was there the watchman flew away

0 Comments