Mere Humnafas – Translation of Shakeel Badayuni Best Ghazal
Meta Description: Mere Humnafas is a ghazal written by
Shakeel Badayuni. Begum Akhtar sang it to music by Khayyam. Understand the
meaning and enjoy the English translation.
The History Behind Mere Humnafas Mere Hamnawa
Begum Akhtar had been
performing ghazals written by Shakeel Badayuni until the early 1950s, when a
minor dispute arose between them. As a result, she decided to no longer sing
his compositions, despite Badayuni continuing to send her his works. The last of
these was the poignant ghazal Mere Humnafas. In 1970, when Badayuni
passed away at the age of 53 due to complications from diabetes, Begum Akhtar
broke her vow and, moved by the passing of the poet, chose to sing selected
verses of Mere Humnafas, set to music by Khayyam. This collaboration of
exceptional lyrics, music, and soulful singing created a timeless masterpiece.
Following her rendition, many other celebrated artists, including Farida
Khanum, Jagjit Singh, and Munni Begum, have interpreted the ghazal in their own
distinctive styles.
The lyrics of Mere
Humnafas contain an eerie sense of foreboding, particularly in the line
"Arrey O Shakeel kahan hai tu" (O Shakeel, where are you?),
suggesting that Badayuni may have had a premonition of his own impending death.
The Poetic English Translation of the Lyrics of Mere Humnafas
My dear soulmate and my confidante
Do not be a friend and then betray
My dear soulmate and my confidante
Do not be a friend and then betray
The agony of love will be my death
For my long life please do not pray
The agony of love will be my death
For my long life please do not pray
My dear soulmate
From my burning heart springs forth the
light
And then from this light springs life’s
wish
I am afraid O my caretaker
That you yourself may smother this ray
I am afraid O my caretaker
That you yourself may smother this ray
My dear soulmate
Please leave me alone to my plight
My caretaker I can’t depend on you
The fleeting sympathy you offer
May increase my pain day by day
My dear soulmate and my confidante
Do not be a friend and then betray
My dear soulmate
My courage is so undaunted
I do not fear sparks set by others
My courage is so undaunted
I do not fear sparks set by others
Flames emitted by flowers frighten me
Because they can burn the garden away
My dear soulmate and my confidante
My dear soulmate
They have arrived with the pitcher of wine
Hey Shakeel why are you not here
Someone in the crowd will raise his hand
And snatch your glass to our dismay
My dear soulmate and my confidante
Do not be a friend and then betray
The agony of love will be my death
For my long life please do not pray
The Original Hindi Lyrics of Mere Humnafas Mere Humnawa
These are the verses sung by Begum Akhtar
mere humnafas, mere humnawa,
mujhe dost ban ke daga na de
mere humnafas, mere humnawa,
mujhe dost ban ke daga na de
main hoon dard-e-ishq se jaan-balab,
mujhe zindagi ki dua na de
main hoon dard-e-ishq se jaan-balab,
mujhe zindagi ki dua na de
mere humnafas
mere daagh-e-dil se hai roshni,
isi roshni se hai zindagi
mujhe darr hai ae mere chaaragar,
yeh chiraag tu hi bujha na de
mujhe darr hai ae mere chaaragar,
yeh chiraag tu hi bujha na de
mere humnafas
mujhe ae chhorh de mere haal par,
tera kya bharosa hai chaaragar
yeh teri nawazish-e-mukhtasar,
mera dard aur badha na de
mere humnafas, mere humnawa,
mujhe dost ban ke daga na de
mere humnafas
mera azm itna buland hai
ke paraaye sholo-n ka darr nahin
mera azm itna buland hai
ke paraaye sholo-n ka darr nahin
mujhe khauf aatish-e-gul se hai,
yeh kahin chaman ko jala na de
mere humnafas, mere humnawa,
mere humnafas
woh uthein hain leke khum-o-subu,
arrey o 'shakeel' kahan hain tu
tera jaam lene ko bazm mein
koi aur haath badha na de
mere humnafas, mere humnawa,
mujhe dost ban ke daga na de
main hoon dard-e-ishq se jaan-balab,
mujhe zindagi ki dua na de
The Meanings of Difficult Urdu Words in Mere Humnafas
Humnafas = One who shares the same breath
Humnawa = One who speaks the same voice
Jaan-balab = Life coming to ones lips
Daagh-e-dil = Blemish of the heat
Chaaragar = Caretaker, mentor
Nawazish-e-mukhtasar = Drop of sympathy
Azm = Courage
Aatish-e-gul = Fireworks from the flowers
Khum-o-subu = Pot and pitcher
Bazm = Crowd
Verse-By-Verse Meaning, Explanation,
and Interpretation of Mere Humnafas
The beauty of poetry,
particularly ghazals, lies in the myriad interpretations it invites from its
readers. In the case of Mere Humnafas, I approach it from the
perspective of impending death with life’s mission incomplete. It is uncertain
whether Shakeel Badayuni was grappling with critical health issues or had any
premonitions when he composed this ghazal. Whether or not the poem reflects his
own life circumstances, the theme of life's inevitable end resonates deeply
with me. The absence of clear autobiographical elements only adds to the
universal appeal, allowing for a more personal connection with the poem.
Verse 1
"Ishq" here transcends ordinary
romance; it represents a profound passion for poetry. The anguish that arises
from the thought of being unable to fulfil this passion feels akin to
experiencing death before death itself. The poet tells his soulmate: if you
wish for a life for me that exists without poetry, you would be betraying the
very essence of our bond.
Verse 2
Here, the anguish of possibly
being unable to write poetry becomes the muse, offering a sliver of brightness.
The poet fears that the guide, doctor, or caretaker, in their attempts to
resolve the worldly concerns, may inadvertently extinguish this fragile hope.
Verse 3
So, the poet asks the caretaker to leave
him to his fate. He fears that the half-hearted attempts of the caretaker would
not result in any solutions, but only deepen his sense of helplessness.
Verse 4
The poet says: my confidence in my
abilities is so unwavering that I remain indifferent to criticism from
outsiders. However, if those I hold in respect turn away from me, I fear it
could shatter me. (This may be a subtle reference to Begum Akhtar's refusal
to sing ghazals penned by Shakeel Badayuni.)
Verse 5
The poet now
contemplates a posthumous scenario: when he is no longer around, other poets
may receive accolades that would have rightfully been his, had he lived on to
continue writing.
Mere Humnafas Fact Sheet
· Singer: Begum Akhtar
