This post showcases some paintings by the Pakistani artist Babar Azeemi, from his exhibition ‘Wajood-e-Zan‘ (Existence of Women) at  Ejaz Art Gallery.
Dar khuor e qehr o ghazab jab koi hum sa na hua..
Bandagi mein bhi wo azada o khudbeen hain..ke hum..
Ulte phir aaye dar e kaaba agar waa na hua…
Sab ko maqbool hai dawa teri yaktaai ka..
Robarou koi but e aaina e seema na hua…
Kam nahi naazish e humnai chashm e khuban..
Tera beemar, bura kia hai, gar acha na hua…
Seene ka daagh hai wo nala ke lab tak na gaya..
Khaak ka rizq hai wo qatra ke darya na hua..
Naam ka mere hai jo dukh ke kisi ko na mila..
Kaam mein mere hai jo fitna ke barpa na hua…
Har bun e mou se dam e zikr na tapke khunanaab..
Hamza ka qissa hua, ishq ka charcha na hua…
Qatre mein dajla dikhai na de juzo mei kul..
Khel larkon ka hua, deeda e beena na hua…
Thi khabar garm ke Ghalib ke urenge purze..
Dekhne hum bhi gaye the pa tamasha na hua…
ishq mujhko naheeN, wehshat hee sahee..
meree wehshat, teree shohrat hee sahee..
qata’a keeje na ta’alluq ham se..
kuchch naheeN hai to adaavat hee sahee..
mere hone meiN hai kya ruswaaee..
ei woh majlis naheeN KHalwat hee sahee..
ham bhee dushman to naheeN haiN apne..
GHair ko tujh se mohabbat hee sahee..
apnee hastee hee se ho, jo kuchch ho..
aagahee gar naheeN GHaflat hee sahee..
umr harchand ke hai barq-e-KHiraam..
dil ke KHooN karne ki fursat hee sahee..
ham koee tarq-e-wafa karte haiN..
na sahee ishq, museebat hee sahee..
kuchch to de ‘ei falak-e-na_insaaf..
aah-o-fariyaad ki ruKHasat hee sahee..
ham bhee tasleem kee KHoo Daalenge..
be_niyaazee teree ` aadat hee sahe..
yaar se cheDa chalee jaay, ‘Asad’..
gar nahee wasl to hasrat hee sahee..
*******************************************************************************************************
(You say) It is not love, it is madness
My madness may be the cause of your fame
Sever not my relationship with you
If nothing then be my enemy
What is the meaning of notoriety in meeting me
If not in public court meet me alone
I am not my own enemy
So what if the stranger is in love with you
Whatever you are, it is due to your own being
If this not known then it is ignorance
Life though fleets like a lightening flash
Yet it is abundant Time to be in love
I do not want debate on the sustenance of love
Be it not love but another dilemma
Give something O biased One
At least the sanction to cry and plea
I will perpetuate the rituals
Even if cruelty be your habit
Teasing and cajoling the beloved cannot leave ‘Asad‘
Even if there is no union and only the desire remains
The sighs of love a life-time need, their object to attain,
Who lives long enough for your dark mysteries to attain?
In the net of each ocean-wave open a hundred dragon mouths,
To be a pearl, a water-drop what ordeals must sustain!
True love calls for patience, desire’s of impatience made,
Till suffering consumes me quite, how should my heart remain?
You will not be indifferent, I know, but nevertheless,
Dead and in the dust I’ll be when news of me you obtain.
The morning sun’s ardent rays spell death to each dew-drop,
I, too, exist only until, to glance at me you deign.
A single glance, no more, is the space of life, unaware!
For no longer than the spark’s dance does the gathering’s warmth remain.
The suffering that is life, ASAD, knows no cure but death,
All through the night must the candle burn, no matter what its pain
aah ko chaahiye ik umr asar hone tak
kaun jiitaa hai tirii zulf ke sar hone tak
daam-e har mauj mein hai halqah-e sad kaam-e nihang
dekhein kyaa guzre hai qatre pah guhar hone tak
aashiqii sabr-talab aur tamannaa betaab
dil kaa kyaa rang karuun khun-e jigar hone tak
ham ne maanaa kih tagaaful na karoge lekin
khaak ho jaaeinge ham tum ko khabar hone tak
partav-e khur se hai shabnam ko fanaa ki taaliim
main bhii huun ek inaayat kii nazar hone tak
yak nazar besh nahiin fursat-e hastii gaafil
garmii-e bazm hai ik raqs-e sharar hone tak
gham-e hastii kaa asad kis se ho juz marg ilaaj
shamma har rang mein jaltii hai sahar hone tak
Only you know…
Sll of me intimatelee completely…
Only you know..
mY brightest hopes…mY little wishes…mY comfy copes…
Only you know..mY darkest sins…mY losses..mY wins..mY again begins…
Only you know..mYÂ oldest sorrows..mYÂ deepest pains…mY unknown tomorrows
Only you know..mYÂ inside out..like a book..without a doubt…with just a look…