Parakhna Mat – Poetic Translation of Bashir Badr Ghazal
Meta Description: Parakhna Mat Parakhne Mein is a popular
ghazal by Bashir Badr, performed by stalwarts like Jagjit Singh, Chinmayi
Tripathi, and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
Setting the Background for Translating Parakhna Mat
Parakhna Mat
is a critique of a society that does not allow an individual’s identity to
evolve and flourish. In each sher (couplet) of the ghazal, Badr presents
a different impediment that society places in the individual’s path and, in
some cases, suggests a way of overcoming it. A verse-by-verse explanation is
provided in the literal translation section.
Translating Parakhna Mat as a Ghazal
In a ghazal, the second line of each sher ends with a common refrain called the radeef, while the common rhyme that runs through the ghazal, the qafiya, occurs immediately before the radeef. Ideally, an English translation should reproduce both the qafiya and the radeef. However, because of the differences in the grammatical structures of Urdu and English, maintaining both can sometimes result in awkward or grammatically distorted English. In my translations of ghazals, I have therefore tried to preserve these formal elements wherever possible without sacrificing the natural flow of the English.
In the case of Parakhna
Mat, I found that I had to let go of either the qafiya or the radeef
in order to maintain a reasonable rhythm and natural phrasing. Since the
content of the ghazal is itself metaphysical, I did not want the translation to
introduce an additional layer of ambiguity merely for the sake of rhyme. After some
trial and error, I decided that the better approach was to retain the radeef
and abandon the qafiya.
Different singers
have used line repetitions in different ways to suit their individual
presentations. I have therefore translated the basic written structure of
Badr’s ghazal rather than following the repetitions used in any particular
rendition. The translation is designed to be adaptable to any of the musical
compositions used for the ghazal.
The Poetic English Translation of the Lyrics of Parakhna Mat
Do not judge for by
judging a friend your own does not remain
Stare too long into a mirror
and your face does not remain
While meeting with celebrities
always maintain your distance
Where a river enters the
ocean, a river it does not remain
Your city is of a
strange and uniquely different kind
In my city too every one
quite like me does not remain
True love is a
fragrance that will travel with you always
Even in solitude a man
alone does not remain
Thousands of my verses
lie buried in graves made of paper
I’m a strange mother any
child of mine alive does not remain
The Original Hindi Lyrics of Parakhna Mat
Parakhna mat parakhne mein koi apna nahin rahta
Kisi bhi aaine mein der tak chehra nahin rahta
Bade logon se milne mein hamesha fasala rakhna
Jahan darya samandar se mila darya nahin rahta
Tumhara shehr to bilkul naye andaz wala hai
Hamare shehr mein bhi koi hamsa nahin rahta
Mohabbatein khushboo hai hamesha saath chalti hai
Koi insaan tanhai mein bhi tanha nahin rahta
Hazaron sher mere so gaye kaghaz ki qabron mein
Ajab maa hun koi bachcha mera zinda nahin rahta
Meanings of Difficult Urdu Words
Parakhna = To judge
Fasala = Distance
Darya = River (here)
The Literal English Translation of the Lyrics of Parakhna
Mat
Parakhna mat parakhne mein koi apna nahin rahta
We criticise others or pass judgement on them based on our own practices
and behaviours. This either compels them to conform and lose their identity or more
likely leads to strained relations.
Kisi bhi aaine mein der tak chehra ahin rahta
Bade logon se milne mein hamesha fasala rakhna
Jahan darya samandar se mila darya nahin rahta
Tumhara shehr to bilkul naye andaz wala hai
Hamare shehr mein bhi koi hamsa nahin rahta
Mohabbatein khushboo hai hamesha saath chalti hai
Koi insaan tanhai mein bhi tanha nahin rahta
Hazaron sher mere so gaye kaghaz ki qabron mein
Ajab maa hun koi bachcha mera zinda nahin rahta
Thousands of my poems lie on reams of paper – unread. I am a very unusual mother that none of my children (poems) are in the public realm but have died a anonymous death. Maybe because they were all alike without any unique distinctive aspects.
Parakhna Mat Fact Sheet
Parakhna Mat
has been sung by many renowned singers. You can check out the best of them through
links below.
