Sehra - Ghalib - Ma'finaama - Zauq
Sajjad
One of the skirmishes which Mirza Ghalib had with Zauq was to do with
writing a "Sehra" (poetry written to celebrate wedding). Zauq was the poet
laureate in the court of the king Bahadur Shah Zafar. The king considered
Zauq as a learned teacher.
The king once asked Ghalib to write a Sehra. He wrote the Sehra and in order
to brag the fact that he was asked to do so instead of Zauq, he conjured up
a rather tongue in the cheek Maqta' for it. (Maqta' is the final couplet
(sheyr)of a ghazal in which the poet also includes his/her name). Now Zauq
did not like this at all. He complained about this. The king promptly asked
Ghalib to apologise.
Well ! apologise he did and in the form of a poem. This alleged ma'finama
was written in the most ironic and witty style. Never once does he say sorry
in the whole ma'finama. Instead keeps himself perched on high self esteem.
On the contrary even inflicts a very very cleverly disguised taunt at Zauq,
And this is how he did it. Yours truly have transliterated the ma'finama
from Diwan e Ghalib as follows. I have also included a crude english
translation of each sheyr. But before that here are two of the sheyrs from
the Sehra, including the Maqta' that started it all.
1. Saat dariya ke faraaham kiye honge moti
tab banaa hoga is andaaz ka gaz bhar sehra
Must have gathered the pearls from seven seas,
to make the like of this sehra.
2. Hum sukhan fahm hein Ghalib ke tarafdaar nahin
dekhein is sehre se kah de koi barh kar sehra
We understand poetry and are not partial to Ghalib,
but want to see if anyone could write a sehra like this sehra.
And now the m'afinama
1. Manzoor hai guzaarish-e-ahwaal-e-waaqai
apna bayan husn-e-tabia't nahi mujhe
I accept the request to report the facts,
to praise oneself is a good habit I think do not.
2. Sau pusht se hai pesha-e-Aaba sipahgiri
kuch shayari zariyya-e-izzat nahi mujhe
My forefathers since hundred generations have been warriors,
by merely writing poetry, fame I seek do not.
3. Azad rau hun aur mera maslik hai sulah kul
hargiz kabhi kisi se a'daawat nahi mujhe
I am a free spirit and my conduct is always peaceful,
ever bear malice against anyone I do not.
4. Kya kam hai yeh sharaf ke Zafar ka ghulam hun
mana ke jaah-o-mansab-o-sarwat nahi mujhe
Is the privilege not enough that I serve Zafar (the king),
although rank and position and affluence I have do not
5. Ustad-e-sheh se ho mujhe purkhash ka khayaal
yeh taab yeh majaal yeh taaqat nahi mujhe
That I can think of having a tiff with the king's teacher (Zauq),
this radiance this temerity this strength I have do not
6. Jaam-e-jahan numa hai shahanshah ka zameer
saugandh aur gawaah ki haajat nahi mujhe
The king's conscience is all encompassing,
the need of oath and witness I have do not
7. Sehra likha gaya zarh-e-imtesal-amr !!
dekah ke chaara gair-ataa't nahi mujhe
The sehra was written in compliance with orders,
when saw that alternative to obedience I have do not
8. Maqta' mein Aa pari hai sukhan gustaraana baat
maqsood isse qate' muhabbat nahi mujhe
I wrote something in the maqta' which became popular,
reason to end of friendship I mean do not.
9. Ru-e-sukan kisi ki taraf ho to ru siyah
sauda nahi junoon nahi vehshat nahi mujhe
If I intended to direct it at someone in particular then may my intention be
black,
no bargain no madness and I fear do not.
(Note: Zauq was very dark complexioned, so draw your own conclusion as to
what he really means by "ru siyah" !!!!)
10. Qismat buri sahi pe tabia't buri nahi
hai shukr ki jagah ke shikaayat nahi mujhe
Although I have had bad luck but my habits are never bad,
it's a place of thankfulness and I complain do not.
11. Saadiq hun apne qaul mein Ghalib khuda gawaah
kehta hun sach ke jhoot ki aadat nahi mujhe
I am always true of my word, God is my witness,
I tell you this truth that I lie do not.