I discovered 'Nazir' through this brilliant Nazm. Nazir was born as Wali Muhammad in around 1735. He lived a long life of around 95 years. Fame eluded him through out his long life. It was 200 years later when brilliance of Nazir came in prominence. 'Banjaranama' is one of his most famous poems.
In this poem Nazir talks about two Nomads; one the human being and other the death. In very simple verses he reminds superficiality of life and permanence of death. I Have tried to put a rough translation of this poem.
In this poem Nazir talks about two Nomads; one the human being and other the death. In very simple verses he reminds superficiality of life and permanence of death. I Have tried to put a rough translation of this poem.
टुक हिर्स-ओ-हवस को छोड़ मियां , मत देस-बिदेस फिरे मारा
कज्ज़ाक अजल का लुटे है दिन रात बजा कर नक्कारा
क्या बधिया , भैंसा, बैल, शुतुर क्या गौने पल्ला सर भारा
क्या गेहूं, चावल, मोट, मटर, क्या आग, धुआं और अंगारा
सब ठाठ पड़ा रह जावेगा जब लाद चलेगा बंजारा
For a while shed the greed and the lust, O Mister, wonder not hither and thither
Beating his drums,the bandit of death, robs day and night
what of your bulls, buffaloes, ox and camels? what of yours bag bushels and cans?
what of your wheat, rice, peas and pulses? what of your fire, smoke and sparks
All your splendour will go waste when the pedlar packs and leaves.
गर तू है लक्खी बंजारा और खेप भी तेरी भारी है
ऐ गाफ़िल तुझसे भी चढ़ता एक और बड़ा ब्योपारी है
क्या शक्कर, मिसरी, कंद, गरी क्या सांभर मीठा-खारी है
क्या दाख़, मुनक्का, सौंठ, मिर्च , क्या केसर, लौंग , सुपारी है
सब ठाठ पड़ा रह जावेगा जब लाद चलेगा बंजारा
If you are a millionaire nomad, and your stores are brimming,
Know, O ignorant! There is another merchant who is even greater than you.
What of your sugar, candy, jaggery and nuts? What of your doughs, sweet and salty?
What of your grapes, raisins, ginger and pepper? What of your saffron, cloves and betel?
All your splendor will get wasted when the pedlar packs and leaves.
Know, O ignorant! There is another merchant who is even greater than you.
What of your sugar, candy, jaggery and nuts? What of your doughs, sweet and salty?
What of your grapes, raisins, ginger and pepper? What of your saffron, cloves and betel?
All your splendor will get wasted when the pedlar packs and leaves.
तू बधिया लादे बैल भरे जो पूरब पश्चिम जावेगा
या सूद बढ़ाकर लावेगा या टोटा घाटा पावेगा
कज्ज़ाक अजल का रास्ते में जब भाला मार गिरावेगा
धन दौलत नाती पोता क्या इक कुनबा काम न आवेगा
सब ठाट पड़ा रह जावेगा जब लाद चलेगा बंजारा
With your Oxen and Bulls laden, when you go east and west
either you get a hefty profit or you suffer a heavy loss
but when the bandit of death slays you in the way with his spear
then what of your wealth and children even the community is of no help
All your splendor will get wasted when the pedlar packs and leaves.
जब चलते चलते रस्ते में ये गौन तेरी रह जावेगी
इक बघिया तेरी मिटटी पर फिर घास न चरने पावेगी
ये खेप जो तूने लादी है सब हिस्सों में बंट जावेगी
धी , पूत, जमाई, बेटा क्या, बंजारिन पास न आवेगी
सब ठाट पड़ा रह जावेगा जब लाद चलेगा बंजारा
while walking in your way when your bag is lost
then not even a bull will come to graze on your soil
the trip that your have loaded will get distributed in parts
what of your daughter, son, son-in-law; not even your wife would come near
All your splendour will get wasted when the pedlar packs and leaves
हर मंजिल में अब साथ तेरे ये जिनिया डेरा डांडा है
ज़र , दाम , दिरम का भांडा है, बन्दूक सिपर और खांडा है
जब नायक तन का निकल गया , जो मुल्कों मुल्कों बांडा है
फिर हांडा है न भांडा है, न हलवा है न मांडा है
सब ठाठ पड़ा रह जावेगा जब लाद चलेगा बंजारा
At every destination of yours rests with you the gold coins,
the earthen pot of gold and silver ; shot gun, shield and double edge sword
but when the leader of the body,that roams country to country,leaves,
then there will be neither the cooking pot nor the container, nor the porridge nor the rice
All your splendour will get wasted when the pedlar packs and leaves
हर मंजिल में अब साथ तेरे ये जिनिया डेरा डांडा है
ज़र , दाम , दिरम का भांडा है, बन्दूक सिपर और खांडा है
जब नायक तन का निकल गया , जो मुल्कों मुल्कों बांडा है
फिर हांडा है न भांडा है, न हलवा है न मांडा है
सब ठाठ पड़ा रह जावेगा जब लाद चलेगा बंजारा
At every destination of yours rests with you the gold coins,
the earthen pot of gold and silver ; shot gun, shield and double edge sword
but when the leader of the body,that roams country to country,leaves,
then there will be neither the cooking pot nor the container, nor the porridge nor the rice
All your splendour will get wasted when the pedlar packs and leaves
ये खेप भरे जो जाता है, ये खेप मियां मत गिन अपनी
अब कोई घड़ी पल साअत में ये खेप बदन की है कफनी
क्या थाल कटोरी चांदी की क्या पीतल की डिबिया ढकनी
क्या बर्तन सोने चांदी के क्या मिटटी की हंडिया चपनी
सब ठाट पड़ा रह जावेगा जब लाद चलेगा बंजारा
you are going for this trip loaded , do not count this trip of yours
now at any moment of time this trip will become the shroud on your body
what of the plates and cups of silver and what of your brass candle holder
what of the gold silver utensils what of the pot and ladle made of earth
All your splendour will get wasted when the pedlar packs and leaves
you are going for this trip loaded , do not count this trip of yours
now at any moment of time this trip will become the shroud on your body
what of the plates and cups of silver and what of your brass candle holder
what of the gold silver utensils what of the pot and ladle made of earth
All your splendour will get wasted when the pedlar packs and leaves
ये धूम-धड़क्का साथ लिए क्यूँ फिरता है जंगल जंगल
इक तिनका साथ न जावेगा मौकूफ हुआ जब अन्न और जल
घर बार अटारी चौपारी क्या ख़ासा, नैनसुख और मलमल
क्या चिलमन, परदे, फ़र्श नए क्या लाल पलंग और रंग महल
सब ठाठ पड़ा रह जावेगा जब लाद चलेगा बंजारा
with all this hullabaloo why do you wander from one Forest to another
not even a twig will go with you when the food and water will stop
what of the house, the attic, the courtyard what of your special specs, and silk
what of the veil, cover, floor and new red bed and colourful palace
All your splendour will get wasted when the pedlar packs and leaves
with all this hullabaloo why do you wander from one Forest to another
not even a twig will go with you when the food and water will stop
what of the house, the attic, the courtyard what of your special specs, and silk
what of the veil, cover, floor and new red bed and colourful palace
All your splendour will get wasted when the pedlar packs and leaves
कुछ काम न आवेगा तेरे ये लाल-ओ-ज़मरूद सीम-ओ-ज़र
जब पूँजी बाट में बिखरेगी हर आन बनेगी जान ऊपर
नौबत, नक्कारे, बान , निशाँ, दौलत, हशमत, फौज़े, लशकर
क्या मसनद, तकिया, मुल्क मकां, क्या चौकी, कुर्सी, तख़्त, छतर
सब ठाठ पड़ा रह जावेगा जब लाद चलेगा बंजारा
nothing will be of use, not your rubies and Sapphire nor your gold and silver
when the wealth will get distributed every splendour will be life taking
drums big and small, arrows, standards, wealth, batteries of servants, armies, legions
what of couch,pillow,estate? what guard post, chair, throne, straw hut ?
All your splendour will get wasted when the pedlar packs and leaves
nothing will be of use, not your rubies and Sapphire nor your gold and silver
when the wealth will get distributed every splendour will be life taking
drums big and small, arrows, standards, wealth, batteries of servants, armies, legions
what of couch,pillow,estate? what guard post, chair, throne, straw hut ?
All your splendour will get wasted when the pedlar packs and leaves
क्यूँ जी पे बोझ उठता है इन गौनों भारी भारी के
जब मौत का डेरा आन पड़ा फिर दुने हैं ब्योपारी के
क्या साज़ ज़ड़ाऊ , ज़र ज़ेवर क्या गोटे ठान किनारी के
क्या घोड़े जीन सुनहरी के क्या हाथी लाल अम्बारी के
सब ठाठ पड़ा रह जावेगा जब लाद चलेगा बंजारा
why do you take heavy load on your heart,
when the death pitches its tent then the buyers will make double profit
what of embedded jewels, gold and jewellery? what of the cloths with embroidered strip
what horses with golden saddle,what elephants with red howdah
All your splendour will get wasted when the pedlar packs and leaves
why do you take heavy load on your heart,
when the death pitches its tent then the buyers will make double profit
what of embedded jewels, gold and jewellery? what of the cloths with embroidered strip
what horses with golden saddle,what elephants with red howdah
All your splendour will get wasted when the pedlar packs and leaves
मग़रूर न हो तलवारों पर मत भूल भरोसे ढालों के
सब पत्ता तोड़ के भागेंगे मुंह देख अज़ल के भालों के
क्या डिब्बे मोती हीरों के क्या ढेर खजाने मालों के
क्या बुकचे ताश, मुशज्ज़र के क्या तख्ते शाल दुशालों के
सब ठाठ पड़ा रह जावेगा जब लाद चलेगा बंजारा
do not be proud of your sword, do not rely on the shield
all will run breaking their collor, on seeing the spear of death
what boxes of pearls and diamonds? what piles of treasures and wealth
what of sacs of clothes embroidered with tree patterns?what of the woollen shawl
All your splendour will get wasted when the pedlar packs and leaves
do not be proud of your sword, do not rely on the shield
all will run breaking their collor, on seeing the spear of death
what boxes of pearls and diamonds? what piles of treasures and wealth
what of sacs of clothes embroidered with tree patterns?what of the woollen shawl
All your splendour will get wasted when the pedlar packs and leaves
क्या सख्त मकान बनवाता है खंभ तेरे तन का है पोला
तू ऊँचे कोट उठता है, वां गोर गड्ढे ने मुंह खोला
क्या रैनी, खदक, रंद बड़े , क्या बुर्ज , कंगूरा अनमोला
गढ़, कोट, रहकला, तोप, क़िला, क्या शीशा दारू और गोला
सब ठाठ पड़ा रह जावेगा जब लाद चलेगा बंजारा
there you are making a firm house and here the pillar of your body is week
your are raising high battlement and there the deep grave is agape
what of parapet, moat, large canon holes? what of minaret and priceless tower
what of garrisons,wall ,tanks and forts what of lead, gunpowder and canon
All your splendour will get wasted when the pedlar packs and leaves
there you are making a firm house and here the pillar of your body is week
your are raising high battlement and there the deep grave is agape
what of parapet, moat, large canon holes? what of minaret and priceless tower
what of garrisons,wall ,tanks and forts what of lead, gunpowder and canon
All your splendour will get wasted when the pedlar packs and leaves
हर आन नफ़े और टोटे में क्यूँ मरता फिरता है बन बन
टुक गाफ़िल दिल में सोच ज़रा है साथ लगा तेरे दुश्मन
क्या लौंडी , बांदी , दाई , दिदा क्या बाँदा , चेला नेक - चलन
क्या मस्जिद, मंदिर, ताल, कुआं क्या खेतीबाड़ी, फूल, चमन,
सब ठाठ पड़ा रह जावेगा जब लाद चलेगा बंजारा
why do you keep wondering hither tither for profit and loss
just think, O ignorant, your enemy is ever following you
what of the maiden, harlot and old maid; what of the lackey, servant and moral conduct
what of the mosque, the temple, the lake and the well; what of the the land, flowers and gardens
All your splendour will get wasted when the pedlar packs and leaves
just think, O ignorant, your enemy is ever following you
what of the maiden, harlot and old maid; what of the lackey, servant and moral conduct
what of the mosque, the temple, the lake and the well; what of the the land, flowers and gardens
All your splendour will get wasted when the pedlar packs and leaves
जब मर्ग फिराकर चाबुक को ये बैल बदन का हांकेगा
कोई ताज समेटेगा तेरा कोई गौन सिये और टाँकेगा
हो ढेर अकेला जंगल में तू खाक़ लहद की फांकेगा
उस जंगल में फिर आह 'नज़ीर' इक तिनका आन न झांकेगा
सब ठाठ पड़ा रह जावेगा जब लाद चलेगा बंजारा
when death,with its hunter, drives your body like an Ox
some will run for your crown some will stitch your bags
and you will be lain alone in the forest biting the dust of your tomb
and in that jungle, alas 'Nazeer' even a twig will not care about you
All your splendour will get wasted when the pedlar packs and leaves
when death,with its hunter, drives your body like an Ox
some will run for your crown some will stitch your bags
and you will be lain alone in the forest biting the dust of your tomb
and in that jungle, alas 'Nazeer' even a twig will not care about you
All your splendour will get wasted when the pedlar packs and leaves
'नज़ीर' अकबराबादी
tuk hirs-o-hawas ko chod mian, mat des bides phire maara
kazzak azal ka lute hai din raat bajaa kar nakkarra
kya badhiya, haisa, bail, shutur kya gaune palla sar bhaara
kya genhun, chaawal, mot matar, kya aag, dhuaan aur angaara
sab thaath pada arah jaawega jab laad chalega banjaara
gar tu hai lakhi banjaara aur khep bhee teri bhaai hai
ye gaafil tujhse bhee chadhta ek aur bada vyopaari hai
kya shakkar, misri, kand, gari kya sambhar meetha-khaari hai
kya daakh, munakka, sonth, mirich, kya kesar, laung supaari hai
sab thaath pada rah jaawega jab laad chalega banjaara
tu badhiya laade bail bhare jo purab paschim jaawega
yaa sood badhaakar laawega ya tota ghaata paawega
kazaak azal ka raste mein jab bhaala maar girawega
dhan daulat naati pota kya ik kunbaa kaam na aaega
sab thaath pada rah jaayega jab laad chalega banjaara
jab chalte chalte raste mein ye gaun teri rah jaawegee
ek badhiya teri mitti par phir ghaas na charne paawegee
ye khep jo tune laadi hai sab hisson mein bat jaawegee
ghee, poot, jamaai, beta kya, banjaarin paas na aawegee
sab thaath pada rah jaayegaa jab laad chalegaa banjaara
Har manzil mein ab sath tere ye jinia dera daanda hai
Zarr, daam, diram ka bhaanda hai, bandooq, sipar aur khaanda hai
Jab nayak tan ka nikal gya,jo mulkon mulkon baanda hai
Phir haanda hai na bhaanda hai, na halwa hai na maanda hai
Sab thath para rah jayega jab laad chale ga banjaara
Har manzil mein ab sath tere ye jinia dera daanda hai
Zarr, daam, diram ka bhaanda hai, bandooq, sipar aur khaanda hai
Jab nayak tan ka nikal gya,jo mulkon mulkon baanda hai
Phir haanda hai na bhaanda hai, na halwa hai na maanda hai
Sab thath para rah jayega jab laad chale ga banjaara
ye khep bhare jo tu jaata hai, ye khep mian mat gin apni
ab koi ghadi pal ssat mein ye khep badan kee hai kafni
kya thaal katori chaandi kee, kya peetal kee dibiya dhakni
kya bartan sone chaandi ke kya mitti kee handiya chapni
sab thaath pada rah jaawega jab laad chalega banjaara,
ye dhoom dhadakka liye kyun firta hai jangal jangal
ik tinka saath na jaawegaa maukoof hua jab ann aur jal
ghar-baar ataari chaupaari kya khaasa, nain sukh aur malamal
kya chilman, parde, farsh naye kya laal palang aur rang mahal
sab thaath pada rah jaawega jab laad chalegaa banjaara
kuch kaam na aawegaa tere ye laal-o-jamrood seem-o-zar
jab poonji baat mein bikhregee har aan bangegee jaan upar
naubat, nakkaare, baan, nishaan, daulat hasmat, fauje, lashkar
kya masnad, takiaa, mulk makaan, kya chauki, kursi, takth, chatar
sab thaath pada rah jaawegaa jab laad chalega banjaara
kyun jee pe bojh uthaata hai inn gauno bhaari bhaari ke
jab maut ka dera aan pada phir dune hain vyopaari ke
kya saaz jaraau zar zevar kya gote thaan kinaari ke
kya ghode jeen sunhari ke kya haathi laal ambaari ke
sab thaath pada rah jaawega jab laad chalega banjaara
magroor na ho talwaaron per mat bhool bharose dhaalon ke
sab patta tod ke bhaagenege muh dekh azal ke bhaalon ke
kya dibbe moti heeron ke kya dher khazaane maalon ke
kya bukche taash, mushazzar ke kya takhte shaal dushaalon ke
sab thaath pada rah jaawegaa jab laad chalega banjaara
kyaa sakht makaan banwaata hai khambh tera tan ka pola hai
tu unche kot banata hai, waa gor gaddhe ne munh khola
kya rainee, khadak, rand bade, kya burj , kangoora anmola
gadh, kot, rahkalaa, top kilaa, kya seesha daaru aur gola
sab thaath pada rah jaawega jab laad chalega banjaara
har aan naffe aur totte mein kyun marta phirta hai ban ban
tuk gaafil dil mein soch zara hai saath laga tera dushman
kya laundi, baandi, daai, didaa kya banda chela nek-chalan
kya masjid, mandir, taal, kuaan kya khetibaadi, phool, chaman
sab thaath pada rah jaawegaa jab laad chalega banjaara
jab marg firaakar chaabuk ko ye bail badan ka haankegaa
koi taaj sametega tera koi gaun siye aur taankegaa
ho der akela zangal mein tu khaakh lahad kee faankegaa
uss jangal mein phir aah 'nazir' ik tinkaa aan na jhaankega
sab thaath bada rah jaayega jab laad chalega banjaara.
'Nazir' Akbaraabaadi
