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Saturday 25 July 2009

Tum ek gorakhdhandha ho.

The poet Naaz Khaalivi is confounded by God's action. He is unable to understand the contradictory acts of God and is complaing to him about his enigmatic nature. The Lyrics is thought provoking. Listen to this transcendental qawaali by ustad Nusrat.


कभी यहाँ तुम्हें ढूँढा, कभी वहाँ पहुँचा,
तुम्हारी दीद की खातिर कहाँ कहाँ पहुँचा,
ग़रीब मिट गये, पा-माल हो गये लेकिन,
किसी तलक ना तेरा आज तक निशाँ पहुँचा
हो भी नही और हर जा हो,
तुम एक गोरखधंधा हो
[ दीद = vision, पा-माल = Trodden under foot, Ruined, गोरखधंधा = puzzle, enigma]



हर ज़र्रे में किस शान से तू जलवानुमा है,
हैरान है मगर अक़ल, के कैसा है तू क्या है?
तुम एक गोरखधंधा हो
[ज़र्रे = grain/speck of dust, जलवानुमा = magical/divine, अक़ल = mind/Thought]


तुझे दैर-ओ-हरम मे मैने ढूँढा तू नही मिलता,
मगर तशरीफ़ फर्मा तुझको अपने दिल में देखा है
तुम एक गोरखधंधा हो
[दैर-ओ-हरम = temple & mosque; तशरीफ़ फर्मा = to take position ]


जब बजुज़ तेरे कोई दूसरा मौजूद नही,
फिर समझ में नही आता तेरा परदा करना
तुम एक गोरखधंधा हो

[बजुज़ = except]

जो उलफत में तुम्हारी खो गया है,
उसी खोए हुए को कुछ मिला है,
ना बुतखाने, ना काबे में मिला है,
मगर टूटे हुए दिल में मिला है,
अदम बन कर कहीं तू छुप गया है,
कहीं तू हस्त बुन कर आ गया है,
नही है तू तो फिर इनकार कैसा ?
नफी भी तेरे होने का पता है ,
मैं जिस को कह रहा हूँ अपनी हस्ती,
अगर वो तू नही तो और क्या है ?
नही आया ख़यालों में अगर तू,
तो फिर मैं कैसे समझा तू खुदा है ?
तुम एक गोरखधंधा हो
[उलफत = love/enamoured; अदम = lifeless; हस्त = life; नफी = precious; हस्ती = life/existence ]


हैरान हूँ इस बात पे, तुम कौन हो , क्या हो?
हाथ आओ तो बुत, हाथ ना आओ तो खुदा हो
अक़्ल में जो घिर गया, ला-इंतिहा क्यूँ कर हुआ?
जो समझ में आ गया फिर वो खुदा क्यूँ कर हुआ?
फलसफ़ी को बहस क अंदर खुदा मिलता नही,
डोर को सुलझा रहा है और सिरा मिलता नही
तुम एक गोरखधंधा हो

[बुत = idol; अक़्ल = mind/Thought; ला-इंतिहा = boundless; फलसफ़ी = philosopher; बहस=debate]

छुपते नही हो, सामने आते नही हो तुम,
जलवा दिखा के जलवा दिखाते नही हो तुम,
दैर-ओ-हरम के झगड़े मिटाते नही हो तुम,
जो असल बात है वो बताते नही तो तुम
हैरान हूँ मैरे दिल में समाये हो किस तरह,
हाँलाके दो जहाँ में समाते नही तो तुम,
ये माबद-ओ-हरम, ये कालीसा-ओ-दैर क्यूँ,
हरजाई हो जॅभी तो बताते नही तो तुम
तुम एक गोरखधंधा हो
[ माबद-ओ-हरम = temple & moseque; कालीसा-ओ-दैर = church & temple ]


दिल पे हैरत ने अजब रंग जमा रखा है,
एक उलझी हुई तस्वीर बना रखा है,
कुछ समझ में नही आता के ये चक्कर क्या है?
खेल क्या तुम ने अजल से रचा रखा है?
रूह को जिस्म के पिंजड़े का बना कर क़ैदी,
उस पे फिर मौत का पहरा भी बिठा रखा है
दे के तदबीर के पंछी को उड़ाने तूने,
दाम-ए-तक़दीर भी हर सिम्त बिछा रखा है
कर के आरैश-ए-क़ौनाईन की बरसों तूने,
ख़तम करने का भी मंसूबा बना रखा है,
ला-मकानी का बहरहाल है दावा भी तुम्हें,
नहन-ओ-अक़लाब का भी पैगाम सुना रखा है
ये बुराई, वो भलाई, ये जहन्नुम, वो बहिश्त,
इस उलट फेर में फर्माओ तो क्या रखा है ?
जुर्म आदम ने किया और सज़ा बेटों को,
अदल-ओ-इंसाफ़ का मेआर भी क्या रखा है?
दे के इंसान को दुनिया में खलाफत अपनी,
इक तमाशा सा ज़माने में बना रखा है
अपनी पहचान की खातिर है बनाया सब को,
सब की नज़रों से मगर खुद को छुपा रखा है
तुम एक गोरखधंधा हो


[हैरत = confusion; अजल = time immemorial; रूह=soul; जिस्म =body; तदबीर = action/diligent दाम-ए-तक़दीर=trick of luck; सिम्त = direction; आरैश-ए-क़ौनाईन = decoration of both world ला-मकानी = homeless; नहन-ओ-अक़लाब = place for praying; अदल-ओ-इंसाफ़ = justice and equity मेआर = benchmark; खलाफत = kingdom]

नित नये नक़्श बनाते हो, मिटा देते हो,
जाने किस ज़ुर्म-ए-तमन्ना की सज़ा देते हो?
कभी कंकड़ को बना देते हो हीरे की कनी ,
कभी हीरों को भी मिट्टी में मिला देते हो
ज़िंदगी कितने ही मुर्दों को अदा की जिसने,
वो मसीहा भी सलीबों पे सज़ा देते हो
ख्वाइश-ए-दीद जो कर बैठे सर-ए-तूर कोई,
तूर ही बर्क- ए- तजल्ली से जला देते हो
नार-ए-नमरूद में डळवाते हो खुद अपना ख़लील,
खुद ही फिर नार को गुलज़ार बना देते हो
चाह-ए-किनान में फैंको कभी माह-ए-किनान,
नूर याक़ूब की आँखों का बुझा देते हो
दे के युसुफ को कभी मिस्र के बाज़ारों में,
आख़िरकार शाह-ए-मिस्र बना देते हो
जज़्ब -ओ- मस्ती की जो मंज़िल पे पहुचता है कोई,
बैठ कर दिल में अनलहक़ की सज़ा देते हो ,
खुद ही लगवाते हो फिर कुफ्र के फ़तवे उस पर,
खुद ही मंसूर को सूली पे चढ़ा देते हो
अपनी हस्ती भी वो इक रोज़ गॉवा बैठता है,
अपने दर्शन की लॅगन जिस को लगा देते हो
कोई रांझा जो कभी खोज में निकले तेरी,
तुम उसे झन्ग के बेले में रुला देते हो
ज़ुस्त्जु ले के तुम्हारी जो चले कैश कोई,
उस को मजनू किसी लैला का बना देते हो
जोत सस्सी के अगर मन में तुम्हारी जागे,
तुम उसे तपते हुए तल में जला देते हो
सोहनी गर तुम को महिवाल तसवउर कर ले,
उस को बिखरी हुई लहरों में बहा देते हो
खुद जो चाहो तो सर-ए-अर्श बुला कर महबूब,
एक ही रात में मेराज करा देते हो
तुम एक गोरखधंधा हो
[नित = everyday, नक़्श = copy/model; ज़ुर्म-ए-तमन्ना = crime of desire; सलीबों = cross; ख्वाइश-ए-दीद = desire for divine vison; सर-ए-तूर = one with a halo/Saint/prophet; बर्क- ए- तजल्ली = blessing of divine menifestation; नार-ए-नमरूद = Furnace of King Nimrod;ख़लील = friend;गुलज़ार = garden;नूर= light शाह-ए-मिस्र= king of Egypt; अनलहक़ = I am the Truth/I am the God; कुफ्र = apostacy; फ़तवे= religious decree तल = desert; तसवउर = think; सर-ए-अर्श = In heaven; मेराज = exaltation]



जो कहता हूँ माना तुम्हें लगता है बुरा सा,
फिर भी है मुझे तुम से बहरहाल गिला सा,
चुप चाप रहे देखते तुम अर्श-ए-बरीन पर,
तपते हुए करबल में मोहम्मद का नवासा,
किस तरह पिलाता था लहू अपना वफ़ा को,
खुद तीन दिनो से वो अगरचे था प्यासा
दुश्मन तो बहर तौर थे दुश्मन मगर अफ़सोस,
तुम ने भी फराहम ना किया पानी ज़रा सा
हर ज़ुल्म की तौफ़ीक़ है ज़ालिम की विरासत,
मज़लूम के हिस्से में तसल्ली ना दिलासा
कल ताज सजा देखा था जिस शक़्स के सिर पर,
है आज उसी शक़्स क हाथों में ही कासा,
यह क्या है अगर पूछूँ तो कहते हो जवाबन,
इस राज़ से हो सकता नही कोई शनसा
तुम एक गोरखधंधा हो
[अर्श-ए-बरीन = from heaven; नवासा = son of one's daughter; फराहम = offer,तौफ़ीक़=concent/support]


आह-ए-तहकीक में हर गाम पे उलझन देखूं,
वही हालत-ओ-ख़यालात में अनबन देखूं,
बन के रह जाता हूँ तस्वीर परेशानी की,
गौर से जब भी कभी दुनिया का दर्पण देखूं
एक ही खाक से फ़ितरत के तzआदत इतने,
कितने हिस्सों में बटा एक ही आँगन देखूं,
कहीं ज़हमत की सुलगती हुई पतझड़ का सामान ,
कहीं रहमत के बरसते हुए सावन देखूं ,
कहीं फुन्कारते दरया, कहीं खामोश पहाड़ ,
कहीं जंगल, कहीं सेहरा, कहीं गुलशन देखूं ,
खून रुलाता है यह तक्सीम का अंदाज़ मुझे ,
कोई धनवान यहाँ पर कोई निर्धन देखूं ,
दिन के हाथों में फक़त एक सुलगता सूरज ,
रात की माँग सितारों से मज़्ज़यन देखूं ,
कहीं मुरझाए हुए फूल हैं सचाई के ,
और कहीं झूट के काँटों पे भी जोबन देखूं ,
रात क्या शै है, सवेरा क्या है ?
यह उजाला यह अंधेरा क्या है ?
मैं भी नाइब हूँ तुम्हारा आख़िर,
क्यों यह कहते हो के तेरा क्या है ?
तुम एक गोरखधंधा हो
[आह-ए-तहकीक = desire to enquire; गाम = step, उलझन = confusion; हालत-ओ-ख़यालात = reality & thought; फ़ितरत= Nature/Characteristic; तzआदत=division/Contradiction/Lie; ज़हमत = Inconvenience ; रहमत= compassion; नाइब=assistant]
नाज़ खियालवी
Here I have tried to put a rough english transalation to the lyrics.
I looked for thee hither and thither
For a look of thee, I went everywhere
The dear ones got ruined and downtrodden
But no one got thee where bout.
Thou art and thou art not
Thou art an Enigma

With what splendor thou art in every speck
But confused is mind that what art thee? Who are thee?
Thou art an Enigma

I do not find thee in temple and Mosque
But see thou in my heart
Thou art an Enigma

If thou art the only one
Then from who do thou you conceal thyself?
Thou art an Enigma

Blesses are those who are lost in thy love
Thou could not be found in temple nor Kaabah
But can be found in broken heart
Thou art hidden as barren
And thou appear as life
If thou art not, then why deny thee?
Even the negation confirms thy existence
What I call existence if not you who is that?
If thou didn’t come in my thoughts then
How did I learn that you are God?
Thou art an Enigma

Confounded I am that what thou art and who thou art?
When palpable then thou become an idol and when not thou become god.
One that can be bounded by logic how can it be boundless?
One that is understood how can it bee God?
Sophist does not find God in philosophy
He tries to untangle the cord but cannot find the end
Thou art an enigma

Neither thou hide nor thou reveal thyself
Thou show thy divinity but do not show thyself
Thou do not solve the fight over temple and mosque
Thou don’t reveal the real thing
I am perplexed that how thou art housed in my heart
Even though thou could not be contained in both the worlds
Why art these temple & mosques and church and synagogue?
Thou are faithless for not showing thy countenance
Thou art an enigma.

The mysticism has taken strange possession of my heart
A confused picture it’s drawn within it
I do not understand what all this puzzle is
What is this game thou have been playing since time immemorial
Thou had made the soul a prisoner of the body
and then had put the sentry of death on it.
Thou make the bird of endeavor fly ‘yet
Thou have spread the net of fate everywhere.
For years thou have decorated the world and hereafter
thou have made the plan of its destruction
Though you claim to be homeless
Yet thou preached places of worship.
This is bad, that good, this is hell, that is heaven
Please tell me what is in this perplexity?
For Adam’s crime thou punish his Progeny
Is that the standard of thy justice?
By giving the earthly kingdom to the man,
Thou have made it into a spectacle
For thy own recognition thou created all
But thou hide thyself from all
Thou art an enigma.

Thou draw pictures and erase it thyself
I don’t know for which crime of desire thou you punish us
Sometimes thou turn a pebble into a diamond
Other times thou will turn a diamond into dust
The prophet who gave life to many dead
thou made him adorn the cross
The one that longed to have thy sight on the Mount Sinai
thou reduced the Mount to ashes with the Lightning of thy Manifestation
thou wished Abraham to be thrown into Nimrud’s Fire
Then thou turned that fire into flowers thyself
Sometimes thou throw a Canaanite into the well of Canaanites
And then deprive Jacob of his sight
thou make Joseph to be put into the slave-mart of Egypt
And then thou only make him the king of Egypt
When someone reaches to the destination of higher spirituality
thou make him to voice: I’m the Truth
Then allow the verdicts of infidelity against Him
Thou send Mansoor to the crucifix
One day he too loses his life
Whom thou make to see Your sight
If a Ranjha goes in thy quest
Thou make him in the charity of Jhang
If some Qais goes in thy quest
thou make him Majnu of some Laila
If Thou love awakens in Sassi’s heart
thou scorch her in a burning desert
If Sohni imagined thee as her Mahival
thou drowned her into the ragging currents
Thou do as thou wish by summoning to the Heaven
in a single night thou can make the Prophet’s Accession to Heaven
Thou art an Enigma

I know thou you feel umbrage about my sayingsyet I’ve a little complaint to makethou were sitting quiet on thy Throne in heaven
When Muhammad’s grandson was scorching in the desert of Karbala
he gave his blood for Your Love
though he was thirsty for three days
His enemies were after all enemies,
but what’s sad is that even thou didn’t offer him Water
Every favor of oppression is the approval of the oppressor
But the oppressed is neither consoled nor comforted
Yesterday he who had a crown on his head
Today I see him with a begging bowl
What is this? If I ask, thy answer is
That no one can get acquainted with this secret
Thou art an enigma

Thou enquiry makes me confused at every step
There is discord between the reality and Ideas
I have become a picture of distress
Whenever I see in the mirror of the world
I see so many contradictions in a single eye
I see one place divided into so many parts
Somewhere I see the autumnal smoke of hardship
Somewhere I see the monsoon showers of blessing
Here I see hissing rivers and there silent Mountains
Here I see a forest, there I see a desert and somewhere else I see a garden
This style of division writhes me
I see some rich and some poor here
In Day’s share, I see only one sun shinning
While the night is bedecked with millions of stars
Here I see the withered flowers of truth
There I see the thorns of lies abloom
What is night? What is morning?
What is light? What is darkness?
After all I’m also your deputy, why thou say “what is thy?”
Thou art an enigma.
Naaz Khiaalvi

For web search convenience I am putting the English transliteration here.

Kabhi Yahaan Tumhein Dhunda, Kabhi Wahaan Pahuncha
Tumhari Deed Ki Khaatir Kahan Kahan Pahucha
Gareeb Mit Ga'ay, Paa-maal Ho Gaye lekin
Kisi Talak Na Tera Aaj Tak Nishaan Pahuncha

Ho Bhi Nahi Aur Her Jaa HoTum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho
Her Zarray Mein Kiss Shaan Say Tu Jalwa Numa Hai
Hairaan Hai Magar Aqal, Ke Kaisay Hai Tu Kya Hai?
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho

Tujhay Dair-O-Haram Maine Dhunda Tu Nahi Milta
Magar Tashreef Farma Tujhko Apne Dil Mein Daikha Hai
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho

Jab Bajuz tere koi Dosra Maujood Nahi
Phir Samajh Mein Nahi Aata Tera Purdah Karna
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho

Jo Ulfat Mein Tumhari Kho Gaya hai,
Usi Kho'ay Huay Ko Kuch Mila Hai
Na But-Khanay, Na Kabay Mein Mila Hai,
Magar Tutay Huay Dil Mein Mila Hai
Adam Bun Ker Kaheen tu Chup Gaya Hai,
Kaheen To Hast Bun Ker Aa Gaya
Nahi Hai Tu To Phir Inkaar Kaisa,
Nafi Bhi Tairay Honay Ka Pata Hai
Mein Jiss Ko Keh Raha Hoon Apni Hasti,
Agar Wo Tu Nahi To Aur Kia Hai
Nahi Aaya Khayaloon Mein Agar Tu,
To Phir Mein Kaisay Samjha Tu Khuda Hai
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho


Hairan Huoon Is Baat Pay, Tum Kaun Ho Kya Ho?
Haath Aao to But, Haath Na Aao to Khuda Ho
Aqal Mein Jo Ghir Gaya La-Intiha Kiyoon Ker Hua?
Jo Samajh Mein Aa Gaya Phir Wo Khuda Kyun Ker Hua?
Falsafi Ko Behas K Ander Khuda Milta Nahi
Dor Ko Suljha Raha Hai Aur Sira Milta Nahi
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho

Chuptay Nahi Ho, Samnay Aatay Nahi Ho Tum,
Jalwa Dikha K Jalwa Dikhatay Nahi Ho Tum
Dair O Haram K Jhagray Mita'tay Nahi Ho Tum,
Jo Asal Baat Hai Wo Batatay Nahi To Tum
Hairaan Hoon Mairay Dil Mein Sama'ay Ho Kiss Tarah,
Haan'la K Do Jahan Mein Samatay Nahi To Tum
Yeah Mabud O Haram, Yeah Qaleesa-o-Dair Kiyoon,
Harjayii Ho Jabhi To Bata'tay Nahi To Tum
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho


Dil Pe Hairat Nai Ajab Rung Jama Rakha Hai,
Aik Uljhi Howi Tasveer Bana Rakha Hai
Kuch Samajh Mein Nahi Aata K Yeah Chakkar Kia Hai,
Khail Kia Tum Nai Azal Say Yeah Racha Rakha Hai
Rooh Ko Jism K Pingray Ka Bana Ker Qaidee,
Us Pay Phir Mout Ka Pehraa Bhi Bithaa Rakha Hai
Day K Tadbeer K Panchi Ko Uraaney Tune,
Daam-E-Taqdeer bhee Her Sumt Bicha Rakha Hai
Kar K Araish-e-Qounain Ki Barsoon Tu Nai,
Khatam Karne Ka Bhi Mansooba Bana Rakha Hai
La-Makaani Ka Bahr Haal Hai Dawa Bhi Tumhein,
Nahan-o-aQalab Ka Bhi Paighaam Suna Rakha Hai
Yeah Burai, Wo Bhalai, Yeah Jahannum, Wo Bahisht,
Is Ulat Phiar Mein Farmao To Kia Rakha Hai
Jurm Aadam Nai Kiya Aur Saza Baitoon Ko,
Adl O Insaaf Ka Mi'aar Bhi Kia Rakha Hai
De K Insaan Ko Dunya Mein Khalafat Apni,
Ik Tamasha Sa Zamanay Mein Bana Rakha Hai
Apni Pehchaan Ki Khaatir Hai Banaya Sub Ko,
Sub Ki Nazaroon Say Magar Khud Ko Chupa Rakha Hai
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho

Nit Naye Naqsh Banatay Ho, Mita Daitay Ho,
Janay Kiss Jurm-e-tamanna Ki Saza Daitay Ho
Kabhi Kanker Ko Bana Daitay Ho Heeray Ki Kani,
Kabhi Heeron Ko Bhi Mitti Mein Mila Daitay Ho
Zindagi Kitnay He Murdoon Ko Ata Ki Jiss Nai,
Wo Maseeha Bhi Saleebon Pay Saja Daitay Ho
Khuwahish-E-Deed Jo Kar Baithay Sar-E-Tuur Koi,
Tuur Hee Bark- e- Tajaali Say Jala Daitay Ho
Naar-e-Namrood Mein Dalwatay Ho khud apna Khaleel,
Khud Hee Phir Naar Ko Gulzaar Bana Daitay Ho
Chah-e-kinaan Mein Phainko Kabhi Maah-e-Kinaan,
Noor Yaqoob Ki Aankhon Ka Bujha Daitay Ho
Day Ke Yusuf Ko Kabhi Misr K Bazaaron Mein,
Aakhir Kaar Shah-E-Misr Bana Daitay Ho
Jazb O Masti Ki Jo Manzil Pe Pohonchta Hai Koi,
Baith Ker Dil Mein Analhaq Ki Saza Daitay Ho
Khud He Lagwatay Ho Phir Kufr K Fatway Us
Khud He Mansoor Ko Sooli Peh Charha Daitay Ho
Apni Hasti Bhi Wo Ik Rooz Gawa Baith'ta Hai,
Apne Darshan Ki Lagan Jiss Ko Laga Daitay Ho
Koi Ranjha Jo Kabhi Khooj Mein Nikle Teri,
Tum Usay Jhang K Bele Mein Rula Daitay Ho
Justujo Lay K Tumhari Joh Chalay Qais Koi,
Us Ko Majno Kisi Laila Ka Bana Daitay Ho
Jot Sassi K Agar Mun Mein Tumhari Jagay,
Tum Usay Taptay Hoay Thal Mein Jala Daitay Ho
Sohni Gar Tum Ko Mahiwaal Tassawur Ker Le,
Us Ko Bikhri Howi Lehroon Mein Baha Daitay Ho
Khudh Joh Chaho To Sar-E-Arsh Bula Ker Mehboob,
Aik He Raat Mein Mairaaj Kara Daitay Ho
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho

Jo Kehta Hoon Mana Tumhein Lagta Hai Bura Sa,
Phir Bhi Hai Mujhay Tum Say Baharhaal Gila Sa
Chup Chaap Rahay Daikhtay Tum Arsh-E-Bareen Per,
Taptay Hoay Karbal Mein Mohammad Ka Nawasa
Kiss Tarah Pilata Tha Laahu Apna Wafa Ko,
Khud Teen Dino Say Wo Agarchay Tha Piyasa
Dushmun To Bahar taur Thay Dumshun Magar Afsoos,
Tum Nai Bhi Faraaham (offer) Na Kia Pani Zara Sa
Her Zulm Ki Taufeeq Hai Zaalim Ki Wirasat,
Mazloom K Hissay Mein Tasalli Na Dilasa
Kal Taaj Saja Daikha Tha Jis Shaqs K Sir Per,
Hai Aaj Usi Shaqs K Haathon Mein Hi kasa
Yeh Kia Hai Agar Pochon To Kehtay Ho Jawaban,
Is Raaz Say Ho Sakta Nahi Koi Shanasa
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho

Aah-e-Tehkeek mein har gam pe uljhan dekhoon
Wohi haalat-o-khayalat mein anban dekhoon
Ban ke reh jaata hoon tasweer pareshani ki
Ghaur se jab bhi kabhi duniya ka darpan dekhoon
Ek hi khaak se fitrat ke tazaadat itnay
Kitnay hisson mein bata ek hi aangan dekhoon
Kahin zehmat ki sulagti hui patjhar ka samaan
Kahin rehmat ke baraste huay sawan dekhoon
Kahin phunkaarte darya, kahin khamosh pahaar
Kahin jangal, kahin sehra, kahin gulshan dekhoon
Khun rulata hai yeh takseem ka andaaz mujhe
Koi dhanwaan yehan par koi nirdhan dekhoon
Din ke haathon mein faqat ek sulagta sooraj
Raat ki maang sitaron se muzzayyan dekhoon
Kahin murjhaaye huay phool hain sacchai ke
Aur kahin jhoot ke kaanton pe bhi joban dekhoon
Raat kya shai hai saweera kya hai
Yeh ujala yeh andhera kya hai
Mein bhi nayib hun tumhara akhir
Kyon yeh kehte ho ke tera kya hai
Tum ek gorakhdhanda ho

Wednesday 8 July 2009

Books I would like to read again.

I would not out rightly say that I am going to mention about my favorite books because I myself am not sure about the exhaustiveness of the list. I am also very certain that the list will keep changing. Hence, without getting politically incorrect, I am heading this blog entry as 'the books which I would like to read again'.

Genre: Fiction

Love in the Time of Cholera: By Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The book is a semi autobiographical account wherein Marquez picks up the love story of his parents and subtly mixes it with his own imagination. The coalescence of the real happenings with imaginary events creates one of the most Quixotic and romantic Love stories.
Fermina Daza, the fiery and temperamental girl, who was obstinately wooed by whimsical Florenteno Ariza, the telegraph operator, goes much against the will of her father in courting Ariza but leaves him as she turns 21 for she feels that their love was immature and impulsive and marries much well off doctor Urbino with whom she feels more secure and financially stable and lives with him for decades till he dies one day when he falls from a tree while catching a parrot. On the day of Doctor Urbino’s funeral the old Florenteno Ariza, much to the chagrin of Fermina, confesses his inextinguishable love for her. Story switches between the present and past and the love story unfolds.
While Marquez most famed work is ‘100 years of Solitude’ I liked ‘Love in the Time of Cholera’ more because of two reasons; First that it’s a semi true Love story and second its is free from the magical realism that marks ‘100 years of Solitude’ . However both the works are labor of love and an absolute reader’s delight.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_in_the_time_of_cholera

Midnight’s Children: By Salman Rushdie
Saleem Sinai, the magical child, is born on midnight of 15th of August 1947 .And his destiny is linked with the destiny of his motherland which comes into existence at the same time as him. The story travels backward in time as he narrates his life to his to be wife Padma. Rushdie is a brilliant raconteur. The way he weaves his words amazes his readers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midnight%27s_Children

Shame: By Salman Rushdie
Rushdie claims that this can be a story of any country but any observer of world politics can easily identify that this is about Pakistan. Written in the backdrop of General Zia and Zulfikar Bhutto’s relationship, this story revolves around two characters, the peripheral hero Omar Khayyam who is allegory of shamelessness and Sufia Zinobia who symbolize shame. This concoction of fact & fiction is a brilliant read.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shame_(novel)

Of Human Bondage: W. Somerset Maugham
This is story about Philip Carey and his relationships. Philip is a lame guy madly in love with Mildred. He is heartbroken when she leaves him for another man. But later when her lover does not marry her, she along with her baby returns back to Philip. Philip breaks his relationship with his then girlfriend and happily accepts Mildred. He looks after her and her baby but again one day she leaves him for Griffith who is a friend of Philip. He is devastated. He always knew that Mildred doesn’t love him and is taking advantage of him but he could not stop him from loving her. Like a placid river the story moves slowly and smoothly. the reader feels pity of Philip. Finally the story end in a happy note when Philip finds his love in a farmer’s daughter and becomes indifferent towards Mildred who becomes a prostitute.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Of_Human_Bondage

Genre: Non Fiction
My areas of interest is History, Geo Politics and Philosophy and hence most the books in non fiction belong to these categories.

History of God: By Karen Armstrong
Karen Armstrong talks about the provenance of three great monotheistic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. She critically analyzes the circumstances in which these religions came into existence. The book is very factual and is free to a large extent of personal biases however at times one might feel that being a Christian nun she knows the follies of Christianity too well than the other two religions which she observe through text books and anecdote.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_History_of_God

Decline & Fall of Roman Empire: By Edward Gibbons
Before it was first published in 1776 , Edward Gibbon took about 20 years to complete this book. and . 236 years after that it still remains the most authoritarian book on this subject. It starts from the height of Roman Empire (Around 60-90 Ad) and covers a period till the fall of Constantinople in 15th century. The gradual decline of Roman Empire took 1500 years during which the empire was divided into two halves the western Roman Empire and the eastern Roman Empire. The western empire ended by 7-8th century but the eastern empire, popularly known as Byzantine Empire, continued till 14th century when it was finally conquered by the Turks.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_History_of_the_Decline_and_Fall_of_the_Roman_Empire

The Wonder That was India: By A.L Basham
This book covers the history of India before the arrival of Islam. It studies the political and cultural landscape of India beginning with the Indus valley civilization till 700 AD. Basham devotes separate chapters on Prehistory, The State, Society, Everyday Life, Religion, Arts, and Language & Literature. When it was first published in 1954, it became an instant hit. It is a classic that anybody with an interest in the civilization beginning of India must read. It is work of uncompromisingly scholarship.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wonder_That_Was_India

Freedom at Midnight: By Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins
In the preface of this book the authors reveal that they have collected about a ton of research documents for this book and it is very much evident when you read this master piece. This book gives an account of the political and social events of the last two years before the independence. The book is slightly favorable towards Lord Mountbatten but the authors can be condone for the fact that he was only key figure available for interviews when authors were researching as Gandhiji, Nehru, Patel and Jinnah had already become history. After reading this book my respect for Gandhiji increased to an extent which fell little short of deification.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_at_midnight

Story of Philosophy: By Will Durant
Those like me who wants to get initiated with philosophical doctrines but are unable to make sense of the contradicting and arcane philosophical text must first put there hands on this book. Durant very lucidly explains the life and teachings of Major Philosophers. Even after 80 years of its first publication it remains the best selling books in Philosophy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Story_of_Philosophy

Genre: Drama


Hayavadanah: By Girish Karnad
The plot comes from Kathasaritsagar, an ancient collection of stories in Sanskrit .This drama entails a woman’s struggle to satisfy her desire of physical love and her thirst for intellectualism that she finds in two different person. The play opens with Devdatta and Kapila who are close friends. Devdatta is a man of intellect and Kapila is a man of great physique. Their relationship gets complicated when Devdatta’s newly wedded wife Padmini falls for Kapila. While attempting to resolve this conflict, the two men behead themselves. Padmini is contemplating suicide when Goddess Kali intervenes and endows her with the powers to revive Kapila and Devdatta. In reattaching their fallen heads, Padmini transposes the heads onto the wrong bodies. An identity crisis ensues. Hayavadana explores the dilemma of physical versus intellectual appeal, and how it defines us.

Genre: Short Stories

Metamorphosis: By Franz Kafka
Gregor Samasa one morning suddenly turns into an insect and with this changes the attitude of his parents and sister towards him. This once blue eyed boy turns a liability on his family. The emotional bonding and strength of a relationship is need based is the central theme of this book. His father loathes him, his mother fears him and his sister sympathizes with him but gradually she too feels burdened looking after him. Death absolves him of his family and his family of him.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metamorphosis_(novel)

Genre: Noir

In Cold Blood: By Truman Capote
One night the entire Clutter family is found murdered in Holcombe a small town in US. The book has two different narrations running in parallel which converges when the victims meet their killers. Truman Capote who covered this incident for a newspaper digs deep into the minds of killers. How at the impulse of moment some of the most heinous crimes are committed, how the past defines the present actions, are some of the questions which leave the reader pondering.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_cold_blood