Here's one of my most favorite ghazals. Written by Faiz Ahmed Faiz. The best thing about this ghazal is that though it sounds like a sad romantic song, the original context is very different. Apart from being one of the greatest poets of our times, Faiz was a political activist and had been involved in Pakistani politics during Zia-ul-Haque's dictatorship and had also spent many years in exile. This particular ghazal was his reaction to what pakistanis call as the 'Fall of Dhaka', which marked the separation of Bangladesh from Pakistan.
The ghazal beautifully explains Faiz's disappointment on losing Bangladesh and the trust of Bangladeshi people in Pakistan. Listen to it twice; once as a sad romantic ghazal and again as for what it was written. How amazingly it fits in both contexts. Thats poetry at its best!
Hum ke thehre ajnabi itni madaaraaton(exchange of civilities) ke baad
Phir banenge aashnaa(acquainted) kitni mulaaqaaton ke baad
Kab nazar mein aayegi be-daagh(spotless) sabze(greenery) ki bahaar
Khoon ke dhabbe dhulenge kitni barsaaton ke baad
Dil to chaaha, par shikast-e-dil(defeated heart) ne mohlat(respite) hi na di
Kuchh gile-shikwe(complaints) bhi kar lete, munajaaton(pleadings) ke baad
The bahut bedard(cruel) lamhe(moments) khatm-e-dard-e-ishq(end <of the pain> of love) ke
Thin bahut be-meher(unkind) subhein, meherbaan(kind, generous) raaton ke baad
Unse jo kehne gaye the 'Faiz' jaan sadqa(with great courage*) kiye
Ankahi(unsaid) hi reh gayi wo baat sab baaton ke baad
Poet: Faiz Ahmed Faiz
Singer: Nayyara Noor
*jaan sadqa = to be ready to sacrifice one's life (for something)
The ghazal beautifully explains Faiz's disappointment on losing Bangladesh and the trust of Bangladeshi people in Pakistan.
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