Discovered Hindi Fonts on Blogger and tried to type one of my favourites of Ghalib peoms;
Meaning of some words and phrases in bold from the poem above- Bricks and stones; Temple; Life; Grip of sadness; with pride (arrogance mixed) and shy (inhibited); Restrained by decorum; (Mehfil) – the party
In the third couplet, Ghalib compares the ‘prison of life’ with the clutches of pains and concludes that pains can only be overcome with the end of life (libration from the prison).
Amazing rise from story of love to one which is many notches higher ‘philosophy of life’!
Another beautiful transition in fourth couplet, back to the love story. The beloved has the inhibition and pride while Ghalib is restrained by worldly decorum. Obviously they can not meet along the road (possibly the beloved is surrounded by many people as stated clearly in some other Ghalib poems) and beloved does not invite Ghalib in the special gatherings.
Fifth couplet is tricky. Ghalib alleges atheism and being unfaithful; same allegations that were used against him on so many occasions. But then answers himself, people looking for piousness and emotions* should not approach (whom? Ghalib or the beloved)
*(amazing change of track from first couplet where he is crying for a broken heart)
Sixth couplet is one of the most famous of the Ghalib. Feel why? Continue from the fifth couplet; here he says that nothing actually is lost without Ghalib. Then why should one cry and scream?
Implicit is ‘despite his atheism and faithlessness, he is without parallel so there would be every reason to wail and scream ‘without’ Ghalib'
Read the whole poem again in the light of the last couplet and many meanings change and one can see the literary genius of the royal poet, who knew he had no competition in any field.
In the third couplet, Ghalib compares the ‘prison of life’ with the clutches of pains and concludes that pains can only be overcome with the end of life (libration from the prison).
Amazing rise from story of love to one which is many notches higher ‘philosophy of life’!
Another beautiful transition in fourth couplet, back to the love story. The beloved has the inhibition and pride while Ghalib is restrained by worldly decorum. Obviously they can not meet along the road (possibly the beloved is surrounded by many people as stated clearly in some other Ghalib poems) and beloved does not invite Ghalib in the special gatherings.
Fifth couplet is tricky. Ghalib alleges atheism and being unfaithful; same allegations that were used against him on so many occasions. But then answers himself, people looking for piousness and emotions* should not approach (whom? Ghalib or the beloved)
*(amazing change of track from first couplet where he is crying for a broken heart)
Sixth couplet is one of the most famous of the Ghalib. Feel why? Continue from the fifth couplet; here he says that nothing actually is lost without Ghalib. Then why should one cry and scream?
Implicit is ‘despite his atheism and faithlessness, he is without parallel so there would be every reason to wail and scream ‘without’ Ghalib'
Read the whole poem again in the light of the last couplet and many meanings change and one can see the literary genius of the royal poet, who knew he had no competition in any field.
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