Ghazal 3: Mera Aangan Mehakta Hai

Image Credit: Margrit

میرا آنگن مہکتا ہے تو انہی کو جلن ہوتی ہے
درختوں کو کاٹ کر جو دیواروں سے پھولوں کی آس رکھتے ہیں

اب انکو راز کے فاش ہونے کا کیوں در ہے
حبیبوں کو بھولا کر جو رقیبوں کو اپنا خاص رکھتے ہیں

آج زمانہ فرشتوں کو بھی دھوکے میں رکھتا ہے
جو باتیں حجاب کی کرتے ہیں ووہی جسم بےلباس رکھتے ہیں

شب-ا-ہجر کچھ اس طرح قرار پاتے ہیں
خود کو دنیا سے دور انکی یادوں کو دل کے پاس رکھتے ہیں

English Version:

Mera aangan mahekta hai to unhi ko jalan hoti hai,
Darakhton ko kaat kar jo deewaron se phoolon ki aas rakhte hain.

Ab unko raaz ke faash honey ka kyu darr hai,

Habibon ko bhula kar jo raqeebon ko apna khaas rakhte hain.

Aaj zamana farishton ko bhi dhokey me rakhta hai,
Jo baatein hijab ki karte hain wohi jism be-libaas rakhte hain.

Shab-e-hijr kuch is tarah qaraar paate hain.
Khud ko duniya se door, unki yadoon ko dil ke paas rakhte hain.

Translation:

Only those are jealous of my garden's fragrances,

Those who cut the trees and expect walls to produce flowers.

Now, why are they scared about revelation of their secrets,

They themselves forgot their friends and preferred the company of rivals.

Today, people are trying to fool the angels(those who keep track of good/bad deeds).

Those who talk about Hijab(head scarf), keep their body uncovered.

I try to find solace in the night of seperation, this way,

I keep myself away from this world and keep her memories close to my heart.

The Wedding Question

"We are looking for a girl, for you", said my mother with her mysterious smile.
I knew they had a plan. Although my father was pretending to be completely occupied by newspaper, I knew they were waiting for my reaction.

That wasn't the first time I was dragged into such discussion. But the difference is that it used to be a question earlier. It was more of an FYI this time. I knew something has already been cooked. My earlier excuses are no more valid. The search is already on or maybe I am late to the party. It has already ended.

"For how long have you planned to remain confused?", I asked myself. I still wondered how can I so casually take such a big life changing decision. All sort of negative thoughts filled up my abnormal brain.

"Is it the right time?"
"Living with a complete stranger?"
"Is this how it works?"
"Privacy?"
"Freedom?"
"Life?" :)
"Heaven?" :)
 Many more weird things.

"We are not asking you to get married tomorrow. Even finding a nice girl takes time. Come on, be normal. This is how it works", she added very casually.

I talked to myself, "Be reasonable. You cannot run away from this any further. Bring on something concrete".
I knew all my past Google searches have made me more confused. No one in the world actually have an exact answer about my concerns. I knew this nervousness will turn out to be "very normal human behavior" later but I was not convinced by her.

And like always, I turned to Allah for help. However, I realized, I cannot expect straight answers to my silly questions from him. I knew when Islam comes into picture, I satisfy all the conditions for "nikah". These realizations made me reach the root cause. I ended up asking Allah to make my mother find someone who is best for me. I wanted to be a little specific but all I could add was "someone who takes me to heaven".

Somehow I felt better. And reluctantly I gave mummy a green signal.

It took her just a few weeks to surprise me with The Wedding Answer.

Chaiwala And His Curiosity

Few days ago a guy came to my place for delivering tea and parathas on my roommate's order. This thin guy who was about 18 years, got very curious about computers and we discussed several things.

"Bhai jab bhi me aaya hun yahan sab computer chalate rehte hain. Main sochta hun ise chalane se hota kya hai?".

I tried to explain with an example, "Dost, jab plane aasmaan me hota hai wahan raasta pata nahi chalta. Use computer se hi control kartey hain".

He got more confused. I tried one more time. "Mobile me jo game khelte hain vo computer per hi to banate hain".

"Achcha samajh gya". He continued with excitement, "Vo jo mobile me game khelte hain?". I nodded.

He added with  disappointment "Mere paas touch wala phone hota to main aapse game dalwa leta. Vaisa wala mobile haina usme chalega nahi".

I asked, "School jaate ho?".
He replied, "Bhai school to nahi jaata. Tuition padhta tha. Mere paas ek Bengali rehta hai. Vo tuition padhata hai. Bhut mushkil padhai hai uske paas. Jo bhi usse padh leta hai kaamyaab hai."

"Tum kyu nahi padhte?", I asked.

"Bhai time hi nahi milta. Yahan raat me 11 baje tak parathey banata hoon. Uske baad jaake so jaata hun. Kuch dinon me doosri jagah kaam shuru karuga. Phir padhai shuru karunga."

Few days later he again arrived to deliver tea. I had no idea what should I ask him. I do not wanted to make him feel low or disappointed.

While I was still thinking, he asked, "Bhai ye angrezi gaana baj rha hai kya?".

My recent favorite, Adele's "Someone like You" was getting played, so I replied, "Yes".

He looked at the monitor and asked, "Isme video nahi aata?".

I replied, "Aata hai", and played a hindi video song for him. 

Meanwhile, I found the common thing I could discuss with him. I asked, "Namaz padhte ho".

By this question he was not ashamed but he looked guilty. 

He replied, "Nahi aajkal to nahi padhta. Shaytaan bilkul peeche pad gya hai. Jab ghar se aaya tha to roz jaata tha. Ab InshahAllah ghar se aaunga to padhta rahunga".

When he was leaving I told him, "Dost 5 minute lagte hain padh liya karo. Aur humare liye bhi dua kar dia karo". 
He nodded in agreement and left.

The song which was playing:

Selfie Addiction And What Elders Think Of It

Image Source

After a recent family function, a discussion with Uncles and Aunts about the other side of family made me realize some funny things about our popular culture. I was already expecting the comments about how sleeveless and low cut dresses are indecent. There was much more to it this time.

Aunt 1, disappointingly : "I don't understand which type of people they are. The are all namuney."

Aunt 2 : "They don't even know how to get dressed for a wedding. One of the girls was wearing a dress made out of bed sheet."

Aunt 3 : "They are all mad. One girl was continuously taking her pictures herself. She was making strange faces. She even took pictures with her tongue sticking out".

I smiled. I knew she was talking about 'selfie'. It is obvious that my Aunties were unaware of the popular selfie culture like most other elders in family. Even I agree with them, taking too many selfies in the middle of so many people makes you appear insane. Especially if you are pouting, making duck face and sticking your tongue out.

Interstellar - The Movie Review

Interstellar is a science fiction adventure film directed by Christopher Nolan. The movie is based in near future when earth is no more habitable so NASA decides to send space travelers in search of new places which are able to sustain humanity.

Although, I was not waiting for its release, not even heard about it till the previous day. But I agreed to join my friends because I needed a dose of entertainment after a long and tiring day in office(on Saturday). I may not be following Nolan religiously but I am aware that his movies require a functional brain.

About the movie:

• This movie is the only application of "Theory Of Relativity", which I unsuccessfully tried to understand during engineering.
• Please learn the basics about Relativity, Quantum Mechanics, Murphy's Law and Universe before booking tickets.
• Even if you are not from Science background please participate in clapping after the movie. You can later justify that you loved the direction and physical portrayal of time.
• One of those movies which give you homework.
• If you are a Salman fan and watch movies only for Entertainment. Go to the same multiplex and watch "The Shaukeens" on the other floor. Later, smile at people who come out confused after watching Interstellar.
• Like a typical Sci-fi and Nolan movie, it too leaves many questions unanswered.

(Spoilers begin)
As explained by my friend Daud,the most interesting question is the loop. In the end, Cooper is able to save humanity by transmitting the message through Gravitation. But he transmitted the message from future to save humanity in the past. If he is in future, how could he survived the past. To make it simple, the question is who saved whom? Is it people from future who sent a message, saved their past. Or people in the past saved their future.
Who came first hen or the egg?

About 2 Movies and 1 Defect

Recently, I watched the movie, Haider, and really loved it. Although Haider is based on Shakespeare's Hamlet. It also very nicely portrays the plight of Kashmiris. Apart from great direction and story, Vishal made sure he used local Kashmiri music and real locations. Everything look and feels very authentic. I liked it more because of Faiz's ghazals which are part of movie's music(check it below).

About the defect:
This one defect(a software bug) came to my plate last week. I was supposed to fix it by Friday. Somehow, I wasn't able to focus on work last Friday so I spent most of my time working with others on their issues. I thought I will fix the defect over the weekend but all the time is already gone and now Sunday night blues.

About the other movie:
This movie is one of the reasons why I wasn't able to fix the above defect. Last night, after working for about an hour, when I was about to find the root cause for the defect, I somehow decided to take a short break. I started checking out few songs in my hard drive. Somehow, I clicked on the file containing this movie called "Khoobsurat". The idea was to check out some scenes and watch it later if it appears interesting. Within 2-3 scenes it aroused my interest and I decided to continue it for few more minutes. It turned out to be a romantic comedy which I started enjoying. The comedy iss light and all performances are very natural, I ended up watching it till the end. No actor tried to overact. Sonam's role of a quirky girl and Kirron Kher as her outspoken mother were entertaining. I have decided to copy Fawad's style soon.

The defect remains unfixed. :(

Last Few Months

Like every blogger who posts once a month, I also feel I should write more. Its not only about finding time. Also about the mundane life I am living now a days

Last three months:

In July, I moved to a new project in office which required more aggressiveness. During the whole month of Ramzaan I struggled with sleep and guilt of not utilizing the holy month. It was during the last week of the month when I took holidays and went home, I felt relieved. After coming back I again spent most of my time in office. Facing new deadlines everyday. At times its frustrating, however, there is this satisfaction that I am learning new things everyday. My capabilities were questioned which made be more serious and dedicated towards work. And it is going to continues the same way till November. Meanwhile, I am finding solace in poetry and music.
A recommendation:

Teri Yaad Aayi

        

Image Credit- Vinot

  

جب سکڑتا دیکھ کسی نے چادر اڑھائی، تیری یاد ائی-

جب کبھی کسی نے اچّھی چائے پلائی، تیری یاد ائی-

جب ہارنے کے بعد کی کسی نے حوصلہ افزائی، تیری یاد ائی-

جب پھٹے کرتے مے خدبخد ہوئی سلائی، تیری یاد ائی-

جب کبھی ڈر کے آنکھ کھلی اور کسی نےپیٹھ تھپتھپائی، تیری یاد ائی-

جب میرے بھلے کے لئے کی کسی نے میری پٹائی، تیری یاد ائی-

جب میری حمایت مے کی کسی نے دنیا سے لڑائی، تیری یاد ائی-

جب ہر ٹھوکر پہ کسی کہ لب سے "الله خیر" آواز آئ،  تیری یاد ائی-

جب بیماری مے دوا سے زیادہ کسی کی دعا عصر لایی، تیری یاد ائی-
جب کبھی کسی نے اچّھی بات سکھائی، تیری یاد ائی-
کبھی بے وجہ کبھی بے سبب بس یہیں، تیری یاد ائی-

- A poem dedicated to my beloved mother.