Alfaaz

एक दिन सांझ ढले

पास आ बैठे अलफाज़

बेमसरफ* से,

बेमायने से..

हाथ पकड़े घेरा डाला

लगे आगे पीछे घूमने

कुछ हाथ आए 

कुछ पर लगा कर उड़ गए

कुछ अधूरे से

कुछ पूरे से

कहीं किसी दर्द की दासतान का हुआ बयान 

कहीं कोई किस्सा बीच में छूट गया 

कुछ लफज़ सितारों की चमक से ज़्यादा चमकदार 

कुछ रात की सियाही से गहरे काले

कुछ बेरंग से , 

कुछ बेनूर से 

अलफाज़..

कुछ अपने से

कुछ पराए से

कभी पास आकर सर सहलाते

कभी मुंह चिढ़ा कर मजाक  उड़ाते

खुद को पिरोते रहे लमहों में देर तक 

कहीं दूर से सदाएं आती रहीं 

पुराने लफज़ों की.....

अलफाज़ टिके रहे 

दहलीज़ पर 

रात भर 

सुबह को दरवाज़े पर 

राख़ पडी़ थी..

कुछ लफज़ों की

कुछ लमहों की!

**बिना किसी काम

Ek din saanjh dhale

Paas aa baithe Alfaaz

 Be-masraf* se, 

bemayene se

Hath pakde ghera daala

 Lage aage peechhe ghoomne

Kuch haath aaye

Kuch par laga kar udd gaye

Kuch adhoore se

Kuch poore se

Kahin kisi dard ki daastaan ka hua bayaan

Kahin koi qissa beech me chhoot gaya

Kuch lafz sitaron ki chamak se zyada chamakdar

Kuch raat ki syaahi se gehre kale

Kuch be-rang se 

Be-noor se 

Alfaaz..

Kuch apne se 

Kuch paraye se

Kabhi paas aakar sar sehlaate

Kabhi munh chida kar mazaaq udate

Khud ko pirote rahe lamho me der tak 

Kahin door se sadayen aati rahi 

Purane lafzo ki..

Alfaaz tike rahe dehleez par 

Raat bhar

Subah ko darwaze par

Raakh padi thi.. 

Kuch lafzo ki 

Kuch lamho ki.

                                                                                                  

The Urdu Bible Woman

Georgie more than 80 years in age, is the youngest (in spirit) and most energetic person I have ever met. She is the caretaker of the Holy Trinity Church and a permanent at the Church Basti gathrings. I have always found her wearing colorful saris, smiling, almost always busy with something or the other but still taking out time to chat with me, whenever I have visited the Church at different points of time. (I always  start with Holy Trinity Church near the Dargah of Hazrat Shah Turkman Bayabani at Turkman Gate, whenever I take my students or friends' around Shahjahanabad). 

Over the years, we have become good friends. She has spent her entire life at Shahjahanabad and is most comfortable here, and never wants to go anywhere from her Basti. She studied in Urdu medium school, and  is now one of the few people left from the generation who still read their Bible in Urdu. Her Urdu Bible is kept separately from the rest of (mostly Hindi) Bibles. 

Georgie's husband died many years ago, and children are all settled. She lives with her two sons at the Basti. Daughters are married. Younger son is going to be a priest soon, she informs me and invites me for the future feast when it would happen, as she usually does whenever there is a feast at the Basti. 

She is the one who keeps the keys of the church. She told me when she prays mid night, she also prays for me. I thanked her and joked that she is the malik of the place, she can open/close/visit God whenever she wants late night or early morning, with her shy smile she nodded in the affirmative. While others from the Basti have often tried to proselytize and have given me lectures on how Christianity is better than Islam, Georgie mostly just chit chats, general inquires about work, food, etc. 

Once when I was speaking with other people of the basti, a young man whom she told me was of unsound mind started singing loudly. She came, sat protectively around me, shouted at him to 'buzz off', and then told me that it was getting late I should leave and walked me out of the Basti, also telling me to be careful, 'zamana kharab hai' for women.   

Recently, I attended the Lent prayer services. During one of the sermons, the Priest asked, "How many people here have enemies?" Everybody in the audience very proudly just moved their heads to indicate 'no'. Padri Sahab was disappointed. His logic was, "if you have enemies then it means you are doing something good. Jesus had enemies. If you do not have anybody opposing you, means you are not living your life correctly!" This comment sent everybody on a thought spin (including me) on "how to win enemies and live correctly!"  

Georgie, being 'the keeper of the house of God' is an exception and an epitome of those who could never make any enemy and also lived a correct life. Restoring my hope in humanity, may she live a healthy life for hundred more years! Amen.

Siyaah Raat Ka Sitara

गहरी सियाह रात में

आँखों को जब

अंधेरे की आदत हो जाए..

तब कभी कभी 

इबारतें* उतरती हैं

वही** की तरह.. 

कभी पास आ बैठती हैं

चुपके से 

सखी की तरह.. 

कोई पुरानी बात याद आए

कुछ जुगनू सा चमक जाए ..
सियाह रात में 

वो नूर का हाला*** था

वो तेरे नाम का

इक सितारा था!

Gehri syaah raat me

ankhon ko jab 

andhere ki aadat ho jaaye ..

tab kabhi kabhi 

ibaratein* utarti hain 

wahi** ki tarah

kabhi paas aa baithein 

chupke se 

sakhi ki tarah..

koi purani baat yaad aaye

kuch jugnu sa chamak jaaye
siyaah raat me

woh noor ka haala tha

woh tere naam ka.. 
ek sitara tha! 

                                                                                                                                    

* Lines

**divine revelations

***circle of light

Ghazal- Hum Dhoondte Hain

याद के चांद में किरन हम ढूँढ़ते हैं

रात के गहरे सायों में रंग हम ढूँढ़ते हैं

मिलना मुकद्दर हुआ था मगर अब

बहाने बिछुड़ने के हम ढूँढ़ते हैं

तेरे करम की रहमतों के साये में

सबब तेरे होने के हम ढूँढ़ते हैं

लब से लिया न नाम तेरा, पलकों से पुकारा था

तेरे बिमार मेरे चारागर*1 तुझको हम ढूँढ़ते हैं 

तुझको देखा भी ,सोचा भी, चाहा भी 

तेरे साथ बैठ कर तुझको हम ढूँढ़ते हैं

दिल की राहों में किसी के कदमों की आहट

बंद दिवार में दर हम ढूँढ़ते हैं

आरज़ू में अजब सांसों का तक़ाज़ा था

बसाकर उसमें, अब अपनी दुनिया को हम ढूँढ़ते हैं

आँखों का मुद्दा कुछ, ज़हन का सवाल और था

खुद में मुंतशिर*2 खुद को हम ढूँढ़ते हैं 

वहम था कि उसकी परछाई थी

अक्स को उसके कु-ब-कु*3 हम ढूँढ़ते हैं 

मिलने का उसके कोई इम्कान*4 कहां लेकिन 

हाथ की लकीरों में उलझे उसको हम ढूँढ़ते हैं 

गुनगुनी धूप ठण्डी पुरवाई मिट्टी की महक

अब मौसमों में फुरसत के रात दिन हम ढूँढ़ते हैं

Yaad ke chand me kiran hum dhoondte hain
 Raat ke gehre saayon me rang hum dhoondte hain
Milna muqaddar hua tha magar ab
Bahane bichhadne ke hum dhoondte hain
Tere karam ki rehmaton ke saaye me
Sabab tere hone ke  hum dhoondte hain
Lab se liya na naam tera, palko se pukara tha
Tere bimar mere chaaraagar*1, tujhko hum dhoondte hain  (*one who cures)
Tujh ko dekha bhi, socha bhi, chaha bhi,
Tere sath baith kar tujhko hi hum dhoondte hain
Dil ki raahon me kisi ke qadmo ki aahat
Band deewar me dar hum dhoondte hain  
Arzoo me ajab saanson ka taqaaza tha
Basakar usme, ab apni dunya ko hum dhoondte hain
Ankhon ka mudda kuch, zehen ka sawal aur tha
Khud me muntashir* khud ko hum dhoondte hain (*scattered)
Waham tha ke uski parchhayi thi
Aks ko uske ku-ba-ku* hum dhoondte hain  (*nook&corner)
Milne ka uske koi imkaan* kahan lekin (*possibility)
Haath ki lakeeron me uljhe, usko hum dhoondte hain
Gunguni dhoop, thandi purvayi, mitti ki mehak
Ab mausamo me, fursat ke raat din hum dhoondte hain

1. chaaraagar*- one who cures

2. Muntashir* scattered

3. Ku-Ba-Ku*- nook&corner

4. Imkaan*- possibility

Shahjahanabad Shooting Diaries- In Search of KabootarBaaz

At Shahjahanabad, 26^th Jan is celebrated with Kabootarbaazi competitions/contests/races. I had done a walk by Sohail Hashmi Sahab earlier at Turkman Gate and we had also been a witness to kabootarbaazi contests at Shahrukh Sahab’s house. I contacted Sohail Sahab and helpful as always, he gave me the number with a remark - “Unko bahut zor ka Islam hua hai (he has caught Islam), and has removed his mustache for beard', meaning that he has suddenly turned religious and after calling his number several times, I realized that he probably has also become allergic to mobile phones. I asked Sohail Sahab again for his address and reached Shahjahanabad. Near Kalan Masjid, I asked for Shahrukh Sahab 'Kabootarbaaz' and was directed to go to Gali Nanwa Teli nearby where Shahrukh Kabootarbaaz had his office. I decided to follow the locals’, asked a few more people for directions, (he seemed quite well known) and reached the desired office/karkhana of a much younger Shahrukh Handicraftswala! I asked him if he flies pigeons and he nodded his head, I gave my details and asked for his permission if I could shoot at his terrace. Also, asked about the other Shahrukh Sahab and found out that he has left kabootarbaazi also!

With Shahrukh was his friend/partner Omar who was more talkative of the two and also a kabootarbaaz. I said ‘MashAllah’ as a polite way of encouragement and he took offence, and admitted that Kabootarbaazi is a waste of time and money. His grandfather was a very well known Kabootarbaazi 'Ustad' and now his uncles do it (family hobby!).  It is seen as a bad habit (which is true to an extent). Pigeons, especially competition pigeons' are fed good feed (expensive!) which includes dry fruits, mewa and what not! Good pigeon breeds are bought from many nearby UP towns and range even upto more than Rs.20k. 
At Shahjahanabad, kabootarbaaz are seen as non-serious good-for-nothings who have too much time to waste on the birds. They are also suspected as “non-serious Romeos” or flirts, as being on terrace for long duration gives them enough time to eye the beautiful girls of nearby homes. Many love affairs start and end on terraces of Shahjahanabad. 

I was on phone discussing the logistics, time etc. and then while walking down the bazaar I felt something on my backside. It was a big black dog which tried to bite me (unsuccessfully, thankfully for me!!). I kept walking in the bazar without reacting until I reached my cousin’s place where I checked to see that the dog had only grazed some skin and there was no blood, only some minor discomfort. 

My concerned friends’ told me to get the dog vaccinated and check for some dangerous Sociological/Poetic inclinations!

 Omar had told us to come early morning but our problem was that due to 26^th Jan (Republic Day parade traffic restrictions) reaching Shahjahanabad was a struggle. Our Camera team decided to come via Metro, I decided to spend pre-26^th night at Shahjahanabad. The prediction for rain on the Republic Day was also a worry for us.

On the morning of 26th we reached the desired place and called Omar, Shahrukh's phone was switched off. He took us to a house whose terrace was on the fifth/sixth floor and we had to make our way through narrow staircases and a room full of around 25-30 goats/sheep (in winters, animals are given a separate room, Shaahjahanabadi kindness!). Terrace had view of Jama Masjid as we tried to spot all the fellow kabootarbaaz, whistling at their pigeons with their crackers going off whenever any group of pigeons won. Omar told us that pigeons' scheduled time was 11am and will not come out before that. He had spoken to a few others who felt that the cameras would distract their pigeons and they may lose the race and thus had refused!

Under the grey,cloudy skies, we decided to interview Omar on camera. There were two young restless boys, Ali and Faisal (Ali with a drum, to whom we had to tell from time to time to keep it quiet) as he proudly shouted at others that he had people "filming" on his terrace.

Omar was enthusiastically sharing kabootarbaazi details until we finished and then (very cutely embarrassed) with concern he disclosed that his family is in the process of  fixing his rishta' (marriage).  If the girls' family see his YouTube video they may find him unsuitable and reject him for being a kabootarbaaz! I suggested  (unsolicited advice) to look for a girl within kabootarbaaz circle so she and her 'family' would understand his passion and also complimented him on his looks'.

   

We spotted a few policemen on a nearby rooftop waving at us to get down and stop filming. It was 26th Jan! Ali the youngest amongst us, started mocking at the policemen with his drums.

By that time it had started drizzling, we wrapped up with a promise from Omar for a sunny day shoot soon.

We ended our not-so-successful morning with breakfast at Shyam Sweets. 

7th January

Subah piggy back karte hue
Ankh ka khulna
Tahaffuz* dene wale hathon ko
Tham kar chalna
Ankhon me mohabbat aisi
Ke dunya ki sab mohabbaton ka
Kam aur jhoota lagna

Faiz aur Firaq ki baatein sunna
Rafi, Manna Dey se lekar SD aur RD ke kisse
Movies ko binge watch karna
Mushairon aur mausiqi ko nasamajhte hue
wah wah karna
Din ke diye ke bujhte hi
Intezar karna nayi Kitab,risalon,comics ke sath mithai/fruits ka
Lalach aur darr se achhe bachche banne ki acting karna
To kabhi unke Cigarettes ke dhuen ko peete hue
Chupke se sab ki shikayat karna
Hamesha thoda sa unka jhoota
Unki plate se chakha karna
Phir ek din....
Har yaad ka ajnabi ho jana
Us buland awaz ki khamoshi sunna
Aur bebasi dekhna
Unka bas dekhte rehna
Kisi yaad ke chamakne par
Un ankhon me malaal dekhna
Un honthon ke lams*ko
Hatheli par ab bhi mehsoos karna
Humko apni yaadon ka bandi banakar
7 January ko unka azaad ho jana!
                 

सुबह पिग्गी बैक करते हुए

आंख का खुलना

तहफ्फुज देने वाले हाथों को 

थाम कर चलना

आंखों में मुहब्बत ऐसी कि

दुनिया की सब मुहब्बतों का

कम और झूठा लगना

फैज़ और फिराक की बातें सुनना 

रफी मन्ना डे से लेकर SD,RD के किस्से 

मूवीज को बिंज वाच करना 

मुशायरों और मौसिकी को 

नासमझते हुए वाह वाह करना 

दिन के दिये के बुझते ही 

इंतजार करना नई किताब,रिसालों,कॅामिकस के साथ मिठाई , फरुट का

लालच और डर से अच्छे बच्चे बनने की एकटिंग करना 

तो कभी उनके सिगरेट के धुंए को पीते हुए 

चुपके से सबकी शिकायत करना 

हमेशा थोड़ा सा उनका झूठा 

उनकी प्लेट से चखा करना 

फिर एक दिन 

हर याद का अजनबी हो जाना 

उस बुलंद आवाज़ की खामोशी को सुनना 

और बेबसी देखना 

उनका बस देखते रहना 

किसी याद के चमकने पर 

उन आंखों में मलाल देखना

उन होंठों के लम्स को 

हथेली पर अब भी महसूस करना 

हमको अपना बंदी बनाकर 

7 जनवरी को उनका आजाद हो jaना!

Tahaffuz-security
Lams- Touch

City As Lover / Lover As City

शहर करे कभी मेहरबानी ऐसे

महबूब छुपा ले आगोश मे जैसे
कभी दिखाए  अपनी बेरुख़ी ऐसी
रात से रुठे चाँद के जैसी

शहर के बिखरे बालों से रस्ते
बदन की गुतथियौं में उलझाएं
तो कभी रुह को वापसी की
राहें सब खुद यही सुझाएं

 शहर खोल दे कभी बंद ज़ख़्म

नासूर बनाकर उनहें इतराए
तो कभी अपनी उम्र की हर झुररी को
गुरुर के टीके के साथ सजाए

शहर कभी मसीहाई दिखाए

फिर खुदा का कहर बरसाए
तो कभी अपनी पनाह दे ऐसे
शिकारी चिड़िया पकडे जैसे

शहर की कभी यादें ऐसी

सारी मील के पत्थर जैसी
तो कभी अपनी हर एक परत पर
सब रंग नए चढ़ाता जाए

शहर गम कभी छुपा ले अंदर

मन में जैसे गहरा समंदर
तो कभी अपना आप बसाता जाए
खुद से खाली करता जाए

 मेरा शहर कभीबने महबूब मेरा

तो कभी
मेरा महबूब बने मेरा शहर 

 Shehar kare kabhi meherbani aise

Mehboob chhupa le agosh me jaise

 Kabhi dikhaye apni berukhi aisi

Raat se roothe chand ke jaisi

 Shehar ke bikhre baalon se raste

Badan ki gutthiyon me uljhayen

To kabhi rooh ko wapasi ki

Raahein sab  khud yehi sujhayen

 Shehar khol de Kabhi band zakhm

Nasoor banakar unko itraaye

To kabhi apni umar ki har jhurri ko

Guroor ke teeke ke sath sajaye

 Shehar kabhi masihayi dikhaye

Phir Khuda ka Qehar barsaye

To kabhi apni panah de aise

Shikari chidiya pakde jaise

 Shehar ki kabhi yaadein aisi

Saari meel ke pathar jaisi

To kabhi apni har ek parat par

Sab rang naye chadhata jaye

 Shehar gham kabhi chhupale andar

Mann me jaise gehra samandar

To kabhi apna aap aise basata jaaye

Khudse  khali karta jaaye

 Mera Shehar bane kabhi Mehboob Mera

To Kabhi

Mera Mehboob Bane Mera Shehar :)