Phir is andaz se bahaar aaii

And so, spring is here in all its fineness. The English spring is truly brilliant- when it actually occurs. The problem is that it is quite fickle. A few days of brilliant sunshine then suddenly it gets all dreary and wet again. And it can actually rain at any time – really…just about any time.

But having said that, when the day is good, nothing can really match it. It is quite difficult to describe it very well but it is lovely.

Of course, poets through the ages have described its beauty in all its glory. So, there’s little point in my trying to describe the spring, instead. Rather, let me share with you, perhaps the finest description of spring I have ever read. Though written in India, more than a hundred and fifty years ago, it still can apply to spring in all its beauty anywhere – certainly here in England.

So, in tribute to the English spring and summer, I give you – phir is andaz se bahaar aa_ii

phir is andaaz se bahaar aa_ii
ke huye mehar-o-maah tamaashaa_ii

dekho ai sakinaan-e-khittaa-e-Khaak
is ko kahate hai.n aalam-aaraa_ii

ke zamii.n ho ga_ii hai sar taa sar
ruukash-e-satahe charKhe minaa_ii

sabz ko jab kahii.n jagah na milii
ban gayaa ruu-e-aab par kaa_ii

sabz-o-gul ke dekhane ke liye
chashm-e-nargis ko dii hai binaa_ii

hai havaa me.n sharaab kii taasiir
badaanoshii hai baad paimaa_ii

kyuu.N na duniyaa ko ho Khushii "Ghalib"
shaah-e-dii.ndaar ne shifaa pa_ii

Glossary

1. mehar-o-maah=sun and moon
2. sakinaan-e-khittaa-e-Khaak=dwellers of this earth
3. aalaam=world
4. aaraa_ii=ornament
5. sar taa sar=infinite
6. ruukash-e-satah-e-charKh-e-minaa_ii=surface of the sky with uncountable of stars
7. sabz=greenery
8. ruu-e-aab=water surface;
9. kaa_ii=moss
10. sabz-o-gul=greenery and flower (flora)
11. chashm-e-nargis=Nargis is a flower which is shaped like an eye
12. binaa_ii=sight
13. taasiir=effect;
14. baadaanoshii=to drink wine
15. baad paimaa_ii=to take a measure of the wind
16. shaah-e-dii.ndaar=pious/religious king;
17. shifaa=regain health after an illness

* thanks to www.urdupoetry.com for this ghazal