Month: April 2003

Many poets have described Tajmahal as a monument of love, have sung praises about its enchanting beauty and grandeur. People across the world see Tajmahal as a symbol of eternal love

Shaqueel Badayuni wrote:
EK Shahenshah ne banwake hasin taj mahal sari dunia ko muhabbat ki nishani de di
(An emperor buit Taj Mahal and gave the world an eternal symbol of love)

But here is a verse with a contrary view – the poet says “In building the Taj Mahal, an emperor has made a mockery of the love of all the poor lovers of the world”

Taj tere liye ek mazar-e-ulfat hi sahi
tujhko is vaadi-e-rangi.n se aqidat hi sahi
meri mehboob kahi.n aur mila kar mujhse

bazm-e-shaahi me garibo.n ka gujar kya maani.
Naqsh jis raah pe ho.n satvat-e-shaahi ke nishaa.n
us pe ulfat bhari rooho.n ka safar kya maani

Ye chamanzar, ye Jamna ka Kinara, ye mahal
Ye munaqqash dar – o – deewar, Ye mehrab, ye taq,
Ek Shahenshah ne daulat Ka sahara le kar,
Hum gharibon ki muhabbat, Ka Udaya hai mazaq

Mere Mehboob Kahin aur Mila Kar Mujhse.

(Sahir Ludhianvi)

I have tried to translate the verse here though, I must say, it is far more poetic when read in Urdu.

The poet urges his sweetheart that they meet at some other place – not Tajmahal.

(I agree) Tajmahal is the monument of love for you,
you have (a lovers) faith in its beautiful gardens (you believe our love will blossom here)
but my love, meet me elsewhere – not here.

In the congregation of royals, the impoverished have no meaning
Of what meaning is the lives of impoverished to the congregation of royals?
The road which is marked with the signs of imperial cruelty
the travails of lovers soul have no meaning

These gardens, the bank of river Jamuna, this palace
these intricate carvings on the doors, walls, arches and alcoves
An emperor, on crutches of wealth
has ridiculed the love of us commoners.

My love, meet me some other place (not here)