Monday, May 02, 2005

زندگی سے ڈر تے ہیں - ٓAfraid to live ...

I was at a "ghazal" session with Habib Wali Muhammad Saturday night and the following couplet from Khumaar Barabankvi (I think it is) is still ringing in my mind, especially in a Silicon Valley context:
عِلم و فن کے دیوانے عاشِقی سے ڈرتے ہیں
زنداگی کے خواحاں ہیں اور زندگی سے ڈرتے ہیں


ilm-o-fun kay dheewanay, aashiqee say darthay haiN
zindhagee kay khwahaaN haiN, aur zindhagee say darthay haiN


or

(these) lovers of knowledge and art, are afeared of (passionate) love
they desire life; but are afraid of life (or afraid to live?)

Not a literal translation, yes; more how I understood it.

2 comments:

Mohib said...

With Habib Wali Mohammaed himself, I envy you.

:-)

Mohib said...

btw, I happened to listen Khumar in some mushairas, so that even it outs. Eh?