Khuda-e-bartar teri zameeN par
This beautiful song was sung by Lata Mangeshkar in the feature film Taj Mahal (1963). The music was by Roshan. A beautiful Ghazal that talks about war….
Khudaa-e-bartar terii zameeN par, zameeN ki Khaatir, ye jaNg kyoN hai?
har ik fatah-o-zafar ke daaman pe Khuun-e-insaaN ka raNg kyoN hai?
zameeN bhi teri, haiN ham bhi tere, ye milkiyat ka savaal kyaa hai?
ye qatl-o-KhuuN ka rivaaz kyoN haiN? ye rasm-o-jaNg-o-jadaal kyaa hai?
jinheiN talab hai jahaan bhar ki unhiiN ka dil itnaa taNg kyoN hai?
Khudaa-e-bartar terii zameeN par, zameeN ki Khaatir, ye jaNg kyoN hai?
Ghareeb maaoN, shareef behnoN ko amn-o-izzat kii zindagii de
jinheiN ataa kii hai tuu ne taaqat, unheiN hidaayat kii roshnii de
saroN meiN kibr-o-Gharoor kyoN hai? diloN ke sheeshe pe zaNg kyoN hai?
Khudaa-e-bartar terii zameeN par, zameeN ki Khaatir ye jaNg kyoN hai?
qazaa ke raste pe jaanevaaloN ko bach ke aane kii raah dena
diloN ke gulshan ujaR na jaayeiN, muhabbatoN ko panaah dena
jahaaN meiN jashn-e-vafaa ke badle, ye jashn-e-teer-o-tufaNg kyoN hai?
Khudaa-e-bartar teri zameeN par, zameeN ki Khaatir, ye jaNg kyoN hai?
Glossary:
Khudaa-e-bartar = O superior God, bartar means superior, high, excellent, used as an adjective here for God
fatah-o-zafar = victories and triumph
milkiyat = property, land, possession
qatl-o-KhuuN = murders and blood (basically both indicating and emphasising “Murders, riots”)
jaNg-o-jadaal = fights and battles
talab = thirst, need
amn-o-izzat = peace and respect
ataa = blessed (given by the grace of God, a blessing)
kibr-o-Gharoor = pride (kibr = pride, eminence, similar meanings for Gharoor as well)
qazaa = destiny, fate, divine decree
jashn-e-teer-o-tufaNg = celebrations with bows and guns
A very commendable song ,questioning the wars and victors.I wish that every human mind thinks this way so that there can be peace in this world.Its so humane.
July 5th, 2007 | #
Sahir’s poetry is simply superb, terrific and outstanding. This song beautifully brings out the madness and idiocy associated with war. Let the politicians and the power brokers think twice before they indulge in such stupidity.
July 13th, 2007 | #
“zameeN bhi teri, haiN ham bhi tere, ye milkiyat ka savaal kyaa hai?”
brilliant– subhanAllah — and so poignant today just as it was 40 years ago.
September 28th, 2007 | #
salaam….
plz can anyone send me da correct lyrics of sahir sahabs man re tu kahe na dheer dhare….
November 22nd, 2007 | #
It is very interesting and attracting poem by Sahir. I think there is no better preaching of Islam than the Sahir made in his Kalam.
January 27th, 2008 | #
wow Ali.. I never thought about it this way. IMO though, the thoughts that Sahir presented, in particular in this poem, are not restricted to any religion.. its rather open to all of man-kind regardless of their religion, creed .. or race .. and that’s Sahir, always telling us to look at the world… he was a socialist at heart, there’s no doubt about that.
Amit
January 29th, 2008 | #
i love the line….jinhe talab hai jahan bhar ki, unhi ka dil itna tang kyu hai
February 1st, 2008 | #
SAHIR JAISA POET IS PRUTHVI PAR KABHI NAHI AAYEGA.
May 1st, 2008 | #