Irteqa

Kho jane do in yadoun mein
kya rakha hai in batoun mein?
Bhoul jane do apne aap ko
kyoun darte ho ayene se?
samne kharra houn andhi ke
band kar lo apni ankhein
bedard houn kyoun samjhao mujhe
shagird ho tum is duniya ke
kaise joroun yeh adhourapan
inteshar kaise sambhaloun?
mashrik tha, maghrib mein
mein khud ko bhi na pehchanoun
yehi hai iltija
Aisi ranjida duniya ka
hoga kaisa Irteqa?

-- Asad Haider, Usman Chohan 2006

Let me escape into my memories
What lies within these words?
Let me forget myself
Why do you fear your reflection?
I stand before the thunder
Close your eyes
Tell me why I feel no pain
Let the world teach you
How shall I bridge this chasm?
And control the chaos?
Like east disoriented in the west
I cannot even recognize myself
So I plead
How can such an aggrieved world
Reach the next step?

--Asad Haider, Usman Chohan 2006

Meri Kahani

Aaj chahne do har aik saans ko

Haan, bikharne do is ehsas ko

Aina bhi pehchane na

Dil zehn se hai khafa

Lar ke aaj dil haar chuka

Aao sun lo meri kahani

--Asad Haider (2007)

آج چاہنے دو ہر ایک سانس کو

ہاں بھی پہچاہنے نا

آینہ بھی پہچانے نا

دل زہن سے ہے خفہ

لڑ کہ آج دل ہارچکہ

آؤ سن لو میری کہانی

Sailab

Saamne mehkhane mein hai aik manzar
aur meh ab beh gahi, mere rooh ke andar
itni bechaini, sailab bhi ban kar
bujha na saki vo pyaas mere andar
aur ansu jo na beh sake the umar bhar
mujh pe vo zulam karte hein ab bicharh kar

--Usman Chohan (2007)

In the winery before me, there is a sight
and the wine is flowing into my soul
even though this restlessness floods me
it can not slake my thirst
and the tears I thought would never flow
are tragically leaving me

--Usman Chohan (2007)

Roshni

Roshni ki pehli kirnein ab dakhil huin
aur mera dil kahe in dastgir ko torh de
itna mayuus houn ke yeh baat ab meray dil mein
basne se bas youn hi zordar inkar kar dey

--(Usman Chohan, 2007)

The first rays of light have now entered
and my heart tells me to break these chains
There is a frustration that this thing in my heart
refuses with force to live in remorse.

--(Usman Chohan, 2007)

Panchi

Panchi manind, is unchai par, nojavan ne par khol din
neech ki, jo yadein thin, bohot sal bad ujagar huin
juratmandi ka rumuz, ghudgharzi mein milne lagi
is unchai par, jo badal garajte hein vo baraste nahin
baraste nahin

Yeh zamanat, yeh Qayamat, us ke par pe vazan thi
Yeh nadamat, devkamat, jis mein us ki rooh doub gayi
juratmandi ka rumuz, ghudgharzi mein milne lagi
is unchai par, jo badal garajte hein vo baraste nahin
baraste nahin

--Usman Chohan (2007)

Like a bird, at this height, a youth spread his wings
The base thoughts, of so many years, awoke within
The secret to courage is a doorway to selfishness
At this height, the clouds that thunder never rain
They never rain

This certainty, this calamity, what weight on his wings
His soul was immersed in a deep repentance,
The secret to courage is a doorway to selfishness
At this height, the clouds that thunder never rain
They never rain

--Usman Chohan (2007)

Tayammum

Jaise sahil aur samandar ka hai tasadum
vaise mein houn ab tera majbour mulazim
doub jao mere rass mein, mein houn vasi samandar
lekin liwat kaise jhoume, aur kar le tayammum
Tayammum

--Usman Chohan (2007)

As the sand the the ocean collide
I am now bound to you
Drown in my nectar, I am a vast ocean
but how can the Leviathan dance without water?
Let it bathe in the sand

--Usman Chohan (2007)

Yeh lafz mere hatiyar hein

kabhi socha nahi tha
aisa din bhi aayega
jahaan imaan bikh chuka
aur sho'uur mit chuka

kabhi suna nahi tha
aisi bey insaafi ka
insaaniyat bhola kar
sar bulund hay duniya

kabhi dekha nahi tha
itna ghuroor menay
ilm haasil karkay
ghaflat may doob maray

shayad may nadaan tha
mujrim pehchaanay may
liken chup na rahounga
zulm ko rouknay may

--Asad Haider (2007)

I had never thought
such a day would come
where my faith would be sold
and my resolve was erased

i had never heard
of such an injustice
in forgetting their humanity
the head of the world is high

I have never
so much insolence
after gaining knowledge
they drown in ignorance

perhaps i was naïve
in recognizing the criminal
but i shall not remain silent
as i stop this oppression

--Asad Haider (2007)

Roshni

aik tifl ke kamre mein
masoum charagh jalta rahe
kon janta ke yeh roshni
sari duniya ko roshan kare;
sacha junoon paida hua
mukhlis khoun ke ubalte hue
kon janta ke yeh mazboot iman
sare momineen ko mazboot kare;

aik tofa mila, aik naimat mili
aik moka mila, aur yeh himmat barhi
sab roshan hua, aur yeh roshni
hai pakistan, paindabad

--Usman Chohan (2007)

In this child's room
burns an innocent candle
who knew that its brightness
would set the entire world alight;
a sincere passion was born
as truthful blood boiled
who knew that this strong faith
would give strength to all the faithful;

A gift was given, a blessing was given
A chance was given, and this resolve strengthened
Everyone saw the light, and this radiance
is Pakistan, may it live forever

--Usman Chohan, (2007)

Arzu

yeh ranjish, bekabu mujhe tarpane lagi
yeh zalim, nai arzu jise vo mangti rahi
teri yaad hamesha mujhe satati rahi
vo dard-e duniya ko khud uthane lagi

ab do dilon ka tasadum
apne hi soch mein mein tha guum
tere nein ka vo jadu
deh gayi mujhe meri arzu

--Usman Chohan (2007)

I couldn't control this insufferable pain
this cruel new desire she kept thirsting for
your indelible memory kept urging me
she lifted the grief of this world on her own

now is the collision of two hearts
I am but lost in my own thoughts
this mystique in your eyes
let me find my desire

--Usman Chohan (2007)

Wafa is an Obstacle

I'm thinking about a man
I am too shy to go on msn
This love inside my heart
Where He and I won't be apart
There's a girl, always on his side
looks at me jealously that's right
If I need to I'll get into a fight
So I can claim the man that's mine

Under a Blue Sky
And a Rainbow
I'm with this guy
and Wafa you are, just an obstacle

I'm dreaming about holdin his hand
I'm dreaming about this beautiful man
I want him to be mine, mine alone
Wafa, get aside, I'm taking him home
Ur a wall betweeen me and him
I'm also cute, and smart and slim
but there's 1 thing that u can't give
Its the love 4 him every minute i live


hahahahah
go izteraab

Kasam

Bazm mein teri, khwaishein aur chahatien,
keh doun apni, mein ab chere doun
khudfaramoshi, aisay hi rehne do
kasam hai teri, kasam hai aur rehne do

Asl mein teri, sari azmaishein
Lutf se bhari, kistein jo dein mujhe
khudfaramoshi, aisay hi rehne do
kasam hai teri, kasam hai aur rehne do

Cherne do mujhe meri intiha
Dekho ye to hai lughzash ki ibtida
Kaise jiyen hum maqam-e-silsila?
kaise jiyen hum ghulam-e-irtiqa?

--Usman Chohan, 2005

In your gathering, the wishes and desires,
that i have i shall declare, and i shall touch
that peak of ecstasy, leave me like this,
i swear to you and let me swear

Actually, everytime that you test me
it is but an episode of pleasure, that gives me
that peak of ecstasy; leave me like this,
i swear to you and let me swear

Let me touch my extremity
Look, this is the beginning of a mistake in love
How could we be happy in this routine?
How could we be happy in any other?

--Usman Chohan, 2005

Chahta Houn

Choro choro choti batein; lar ke karna kya?

Bolo bolo kuch to bolo; mujse kar lo sula

Suno suno , Suno to ; Na jao is taran

Dekho dekho hath jore ke ; houn samne khara

Choro choro beetay pal ko; is mein hai rakha kya ?

Bolo bolo tere man mein; hai ab kya chupa

Vo sari ratein batein karte saath guzar gaeen

Ab na bolo Ab na kaho ; tumehin kuch yaad nahin

Sun lo aik dafa, meri iltija

Maaf kar bhi do mujhe, bus chahta houn yehi

Aaj aik bar muskorao, bus chahta houn yehi

Aaj mujhe aaj na rulao, bus chahta houn yahi

Ab mujhe aur na tarpao, bus chahta houn yehi

--Asad Haider, 2005

Let go of these little things, what’s the point of fighting?

Say it Say it, please say something; let’s put it all aside

Listen, listen, listen to me; don’t go away just now

Look, look, I’m begging for this, I’m kneeling before you

Let go of this passing moment; what is there in it?

Say it Say it, whatever’s in your head; why would hide it?

All those nights we spent just talking to each other

Don’t say it, Don’t say it; you just don’t remember it

Listen for a second, to my request

Forgive me, that is all I’m asking

Smile just once; it’s all I’m asking

Don’t make me cry, that’s all I’m asking

Don’t make me suffer anymore; it’s all I’m asking

--Asad Haider, 2005

Nishan

In khayalon ko kyon rakha hai dil ke karib?

Gham kabhi na tha tera nasib

Na sunna un ke sawalon ko

Girne ab na dena, apne aap ko

Akhri baar ponch lo in ansoun ko

Mita do bhula do in biti yaadon ko

Chore do purani daastan

Mita do, dil pe jo hein nishan

--Asad Haider, 2006

Why have you kept these thoughts,

so close to your heart?

I never thought you’d see such sorrow

Don’t listen to their questions

Don’t let yourself fall down…

Wipe these tears one last time

Forget these ephemeral memories

Let go of the fate written for you

Wipe those marks off your heart

--Asad Haider, 2006

Umeed

Hein mere saamney

Saare kache rastey

Kaise kahoun tum se

Sharminda houn mein khud se

Chor aaya mein piche

Sare kache vaadey

Bech aaya mein khud ko

Hasrat ke bazaar mein

Vaqt vapas nahin aata hai

Aitebar bhi kho chuka houn mein

Bas sirf aik akhri khwaish hai

Umeed na hona tum muj mein

--Asad Haider, 2006

Before me there are

Only empty roads

How can I tell you

I’m ashamed of myself

I left behind me

Only empty promises

I sold myself

In the marketplace of emotions

Time won’t come back

I lost my confidence in myself

I just have one request

That you don't lose hope in me

--Asad Haider, 2006

The Pearl

Is bagh ki, dharkanein

samjega nahin, 3 hafton mein

ab mat daal, is drame mein

nafrat ka marz

agar mere baap ne
ghulam rakhe hue the

to kyun azad hone ke

liye laroun?

samjha nahin, ham ko tu ne

aik mehel jis ki auratein

dein lamehdoud hasratein

baas kar yeh jhout

Kon tere khyal se mujrim hai?

Jis ke parcham pe kaman hai?

Kya pardah karma haram hai?

Un homme sans honte, sans intégrité

tufan ke, amad se

pehle hi likh di tu ne

takdir jis ke bare mein

kya janta tu?

Katil ke ghar kahan pe hai

Ka ghudgharz teri zaban hai

Bari tehkik ka natijah hai,

T’es un espèce de con!

--Usman Chohan, 2006

The pulse of this garden,
you can't understand in just 3 weeks
now don't mix hate into this
sick drama of yours

If my father kept slaves
then why would I promise
to save all from
their heavy chains?

You haven't understood us
Our palace, and the women therein
Drown me in such sensations
So end your lies
Who is the enemy in your eyes?
On who's flag the crescent flies?
Is it forbidden to veil myself?
Un homme sans honte, sans intégrité

Before the storm arrives
You wrote destiny
of which you know nothing

Where is the house of the killer?
How selfish is your tongue
After great research, I decide
T'es un espèce de con

--Usman Chohan, 2006

Mariz

Itni awazon ne kaha ke mein aziz houn

ab vohi kahein ke mein aik mariz houn

tanha houn lekin fanoun-e-latif houn

na daulat, na shohrat, lekin rais houn

Ab zanjir se bandh lo mujhe lekin

mausiqui mere goush mein rehgi lekin

Ab taksir se bandh lo mujhe lekin

bekhudi mere rooh mein rehgi lekin

-Usman Chohan, 2006

So many voices told me I'm dear,

Now those voices tell me I’m ill

I’m alone, but I’m infatuated with this art

No wealth, No fame, but I feel content

Now restrain me with chains, but

The music will resonate in my ears, but

Now restrain me with your guilt, but

The intoxication will rest in my soul, but...

--Usman Chohan, 2006

Shams

Shams ke dhalne ka waqt, aa gaya hai
Chasm mein shugal nazar aa raha hai
Do jismoun ki aghosh mukamal nahin
Agarche do lab ka yeh inzamam hai

Tere honte bheeg gaye,
Jinka mein houn rehnuma
Par khul gaye dekh lo
Jesay hone do huma
Shams ki kirnen choumein
Dein mujhe itminan
Zaban to hai hasas,
Lakin tu he bezaban

---Usman Chohan, 2006

The time has come for the sun to set
I see the playful urge in your eyes
The embrace of our two bodies is incomplete
Even though there is the union of two lips

Your lips are wet
I am their guide
Watch as our wings spread
Like a phoenix
The rays of the sun, kiss
And give me this satisfaction
Your sensitive lips
Surrender themselves to me

---Usman Chohan, 2006

Kashish

aisi muskurahat lekin zalim teri batein
aisi sunsanahat lekin vazeh teri aadtein
aisi khub nazakat lekin jhoote tere vaadey
aisi khub hamakat lekin naks hein tere pyare

aaj teri gardish ki vajah
se yahan houn mein
aaj teri kashish ki vajah
se yahan houn mein

aisi hai sadaqat lekin zalim teri batein
aisi hai khajalat lekin ham to hein deevane
aisi khub nazakat lekin jhoote tere vaadey
aisi khub hamakat lekin naks hein tere pyare

aisi khub hidayat lekin behre hein hum sare
aisi hai nadamat lekin ham to hein parvane
aisi khub nazakat lekin jhoote tere vaadey
aisi khub hamakat lekin naks hein tere pyare

--Usman Chohan, 2006


Your smile is sweet but your words are bitter
In this silence I still see what you are doing
You are wise but how you tell so many lies
You are so foolish but I love your mistakes

I am in your orbit
And I am here because of this,
Attracted to you;
I am here because of this

What you say is true but your words are cruel
I do feel the shame but I’ve gone insane
You are wise but how you tell so many lies
You are so foolish but I love your mistakes

What fine suggestions you make to the deaf
I could seek repentance but I have gone mad
You are wise but how you tell so many lies
You are so foolish but I love your mistakes

--Usman Chohan, 2006

Bagh

Sun raha houn aik dholak, ka baj
Kaise karoun is ka ilaaj?
it ne rang dekh kar houn bimar
kar na paon mein intizaar
Kya Tun houn aur ye hai mehraj?
kya kar ra houn khud se mazak?
hua mera nasha istimal
hazar rang ka, mere bagh

Lajvardi neend se hogya pyaar
Narangi bhook se houn bimar
Zaitooni nang nahin nijaat
hazar rang ka mera bagh

--Usman Chohan. 2006

The dholak is beating in my head
How shall I find treatment for this?
I am sick of seeing all these hues
my patience is badly abused
Am I high and is this a mirage?
Am I playing tricks on myself?
my intoxication is well used
my garden is rich with a thousand hues

sleep is blue and
im in love with it
hunger is orange and
it makes me sick
nakedness is olive
and i can't escape
my garden is rich
with a thousand hues

--Usman Chohan, 2006

Parde mein Zarda

Ouncha bola to, yeh haquiqat
ban sakti hai, aik musibat
parde ke peeche ki jo bat hai
parde ke peeche karo

nami, khaizash aur yeh tariqa
zarde ki khushbu aur pasina
parde ke peeche ka jo milaap hai
parde ke peeche karo

Tum usko chuup ke bulao gi
Tum usko chuup ke satao gi
Parde mein zarda milao gi
Khaizash ko youn suljhao gi

--Usman Chohan, 2006

If you speak too loud, this truth
can become quite the nuisance
what is meant for closed curtains
do it behind them

moisture, lust and this style
the smell of zarda and sweat
the encounter meant for closed curtains
do it behind them

you will call him discretely
you will excite him discretely
stain the curtain with zarda
satiate yourself in such a way

--Usman Chohan, 2006

Ghutan

Seh loun mein Ghutan
Seh loun mein Sitam
Bhool gayi vo milan
Bhool gayi vo kadam
Le jao mujhe, pehle ke
Doob jaon mein, ashk mein
Le jao mujhe, pehle ke
Doob jaon mein, ishk mein

Kanpta hai badan
Ho gayi malang
Bhool gayi vo rang
Bhool gayi jisam
Le jao mujhe, pehle ke
Doob jaon mein, ashk mein
Le jao mujhe, pehle ke
Doob jaon mein, ishk mein

Chardevari mein mein tang nahin
Agarche kamre mein koi rang nahin
Malang hona tha, youn malang sahi
Man Bikhar gaya, Chore doun tan ko Bhi?

--Usman Chohan, 2005

I endure the suffocation
I endure the tyranny
I forgot the moments with you
I forgot the steps I have taken
Take me away
before I drown in my tears
Take me away
before I drown in my love

My body shivers
I have gone mad
I have forgotten the colors
I have forgotten your touch
Take me away
before I drown in my tears
Take me away
before I drown in my love

I tell them I am fine in this chamber
even though it is devoid of color
If I was meant to lose my mind, so be it
I let go of my mind, shall I let go of my body?

--Usman Chohan, 2005

Khwaish

Rahguzar, mein tum pe youn fida
Bazigar, mein khaizash mein kud para
Yeh Khwaish thi ke tum ko bhool chuka
Yeh Khwaish thi ke tum ko chore diya
Saye Tere Rooh ke mein Chup Gaya
Ab tere rooh ke ras mein Doob Gaya
Yeh Khwaish thi ke tum ko bhool chuka
Yeh Khwaish thi ke tum ko chore diya
Kaisi Bebasi ne mujhe ghear liya?
Kaisi Bekhudi ne mujhe ghear liya?
Fidayi ne youn mujhe chaire diya
Khudayi ne youn mujhe chaire diya
--Usman Chohan, 2005

Passerby, I have fallen for you
Daredevil, I have leapt into my urge
It was my wish to forget you
It was my wish to leave you
I hid beneath the shade of your soul
Now I'm immersed in the nectar of your soul
It was my wish to forget you
It was my wish to leave you
What is this hopelessness that envelops me?
What is this Intoxication that envelops me?
touched by the urge to sacrifice myself,
I am touched by the urge to become one with Him
--Usman Chohan, 2005

Aik Mashvara

hein is duniya mein bohot, thore hein in me majeed
Girte to hein bohot, thore hein in mein shaheed
Ustad milte hein bohot, thore milenge mureed
Ansooo bhare chasm, kaise doun inhein umeed?

Tashkeel hai is hasti ki, azmaishon se bhari
Tasalsul hi to hai, mostehkam to kuch nahin
Ustad milte hein bohot, thore milenge mureed
Ansooo bhare chasm, kaise doun inhein umeed?

Takaze hein yeh vakt ke
Khajalat* he har chashm mein
Sadakat he mere lab pe
Molavis houn mein is sab mein

Sadakat he mere lab pe
mein molavis houn
Sadakat he tere lab pe
to phir bezuban kyun?
--Usman Chohan, 2005

Many exist but few truly live
Many die but few are martyred
Many preach but few listen
How can I give hope to your tearful eyes?

The world is shaped to be full of trials
In such continuity, Nothing seems to last
Many preach but few listen
How can I give hope to your tearful eyes?

These are the trials of the time
Shame* sits in every eye
The truth sits on my lips
I am guiltily involved in all of this

The truth sits on my lips
I am guiltily involved in all of this
The truth sits on your lips
So why are you silent?
--Usman Chohan, 2005

Kehkashan

Taasub ki in lehroun mein
ansouon ki nehroun mein
dhounde raha houn mein
saughaat
hassas dil ke tarbon pe
khudgarz, berehm zarbon se
dhoundhe raha houn mein
silsila

Kyoun nahin chor, sakta mein
Is pinjare ko? dhoundta
Rahounga mein kehkashaan
dhoundta rahounga kehkashaan

--Usman Chohan, 2006

In the tides of prejudice
In these streams of tears
I look for
souvenirs
On the heart's sympathetic strings
with selfish, merciless strokes
I look for
Continuity

Why can I not leave this cage?
I shall keep searching
for an arc in the sky,
searching for an arc in the sky

--Usman Chohan, 2006

Baghui

Aisi mazloom nazar magar hai shafaf
Aisi mehroom surat mein hai inkashaf
Houn mein baghui aur shaukeen-e-intishaar
Aghaz hai ye jhalak, yeh besharam alaap

Manzil nazar mein nahin, na hai vo murad
Kahil raha to ho jaoun ga mein barbad
Houn mein baghui aur shaukeen-e-intishaar
Aghaz hai ye jhalak, yeh besharam alaap

Najaane kyun,
ham mit jaaen
Mazi ke ashk,
aaj beh jaaen
Is Baghui ke ashk
aaj beh jaaen

--Usman Chohan, 2005

What an aggrieved look that speaks the truth
What a deprived state in which I discover
I am a rebel and a lover of chaos
This glance is the beginning, the shameless start

The destination is not in sight, but it isn't my desire
If I stayed so passive I would collapse
I am a rebel and a lover of chaos
This glance is the beginning, the shameless start

I don't know why
we'll be erased
the tears of the past
shall flow today
This rebel's tears
shall flow today

--Usman Chohan, 2005

ایسی مظلوم نظر مگر ہے شفاف

ایسی محروم صورت میں ہے یہ انکشاف

کہ ہوں میں باغی اور شوکین انتسشار

آغاز ہے یہ جھلک، یہ بے شرم الاپ

منزل نظر میں نہیں نا ہے وہ مراد

قائل رہوں گا تو ہو جاؤں گا میں برباد

کہ ہوں میں باغی اور شوکین انتسشار

آغاز ہے یہ جھلک، یہ بے شرم الاپ

نا جانے کیوں، ہم مٹ جائیں

ماضی کے اشق، آج بہہ جائیں

نا جانے کیوں، ہم مٹ جائیں

اس باغی کے اشک، آج بہہ جائیں

عثمان وقاص چوہان، 2006