Remembering Rahat Indori Sahab
Today, we remember Dr Rahat Indori, who passed away on 11 August 2020. Rahat Sahab was a lyricist, author, and poet. He was also a professor of Urdu language and a painter.
Bollywood saw the best of Rahat Sahab's works in songs including Tumsa Koi Pyaara Koi Masoom (Khuddar), Chan Chan (Munna Bhai MBBS), Chori Chori Jab Nazrein Mili (Kareeb), Dekho Dekho Janam Ham (Ishq) and many more. His books include Mere Baad (2016), Lamhe Lamhe (2002), Chand Pagal Hai, Rut, and Do Kadar or Sahi among others.
We share his ghazal लोग हर मोड़ पे रुक रुक के सँभलते क्यूँ हैं:
Translation by Sanjay Saksena, Editor (Urdu), Delhiwallah Poetry Collective:
Why do people stop at every turn and look around
If so unsure, why step out of the house
The tavern is the standard by which a vessel is judged
Why do then people bounce around like empty mirrors
Youth is the time to be careful
Why does everyone slip and fall when young
For several years I have had no association with sleep
Why then do dreams wander on my roof
I am neither a glow worm, nor a lamp nor a star,
Why then are those bestowed with light jealous of me
Supplement this with Rahat Sahab's interview with Newsclick about his India: "I want an India where Peace and Love Prevails" published on 30 March 2019.
Disclaimer: The English translation of Rahat Sahab's ghazal लोग हर मोड़ पे रुक रुक के सँभलते क्यूँ हैं is an unofficial translation for the purpose of our international readers only.
About the Translator: Sanjay Saksena is a banker and finance professional who has worked with the Reserve Bank of India and the Bombay Stock Exchange and retired as CEO of the Indian Commodities Exchange. An alum of the Delhi School of Economics, his penchant for numbers and stocks is in stark juxtaposition to his passion for poetry and words. Living in a culturally rich family, and raised by creatively inclined parents, literature, history, and music were a significant part of his growing up years and formed the basis for his love for English, Hindi and Urdu poetry – a love that continues to this day. Sanjay has lived and worked in Jaipur, Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata and is now settled with his wife in Gurgaon.