Jigar Moradabadi's Urdu poetry: Shaam se aa gaye jo peene par...

Ali Sikandar, who became famous in literary world as 'Jigar Moradabadi' was arguably the most popular Urdu poet of his era in the 20th century. 

Jigar was born in Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh in 1890. He is essentially a poet of love, romance and wine. 

However, his poetry is full of philosophy and worldly issues as well. He passed away in Gonda [UP] in 1960. 

Jigar was addicted to liquor but in later years, he quit drinking. Read the ghazal that would especially be enjoyed by 'liquor lovers': 

इश्क में लाजवाब हैं हम लोग 
माहताब*, आफताब हैं हम लोग 

गरचे अहल-ए-शराब हैं हम लोग 
ये न समझो खराब हैं हम लोग 

शाम से आ गए जो पीने पर 
सुबह तक आफताब हैं हम लोग 

जब मिली आँख, होश खो बैठे 
कितने हाज़िर-जवाब हैं हम लोग 

हम से पूछो जिगर की सरमस्ती 
महरम-ए-आँजनाब हैं हम लोग 

जिगर मुरादाबादी 

Now read the Roman transliteration of this Ghazal:

ishq meN laa-javaab haiN ham log
maahtaab, aaftaab haiN ham log

garche ahl-e-sharaab haiN ham log
ye na samjho Kharaab haiN ham log

shaam se aa gaye jo piine par
subah tak aaftaab haiN ham log

jab milii aaNkh, hosh kho baiThe
kitne haazir-jawaab haiN ham log

hamse puuchho Jigar ki sarmasti
mahram-e-Aa.njanaab haiN ham log

Jigar Muradabadi

[*mahtab=moon, aaftaab=sun]

[Those who enjoy their cup of wine would surely like this ghazal]