This is one of the most famous Urdu ghazals, which is often attributed** to Bahadur Shah Zafar, perhaps, because of its melancholic tone [compare with Zafar's another ghazal
HERE].
Most litterateurs agree that it's Muztar's poetry. Last couplet also has his name 'Muztar'. This ghazal is not in Zafar's diwan. Muztar Khairabadi [1865-1927] was Janisar Akhtar's father & Javed Akhtar's grandfather.
ना किसी की आंख का नूर हूं ना किसी के दिल का क़रार हूं
जो किसी के काम ना आ सके मैं वो मुश्त-ए-ग़ुबार हूं
मैं नहीं हूं नग़्म-ए-जां-फ़िज़ा, मुझे कोई सुन के करेगा क्या
मैं बड़े बिरोग की हूं सदा, मैं बड़े दुखी की पुकार हूं
मेर रंग रूप बिगड़ गया, मेरा बख़्त मुझसे बिछड़ गया
जो चमन ख़िज़ां से उजड़ गया मैं उसी की फ़स्ले बहार हूं
पै फ़ातेहा कोई आए क्यूं, कोई चार फूल चढ़ाए क्यूं
कोई शमा ला के जलाए क्यूं कि मैं बेकसी का मज़ार हूं
ना मैं मुज़तर उनका हबीब हूं, ना मैं मुज़तर उनका रक़ीब हूं
जो पलट गया वह नसीब हूं जो उजड़ गया वह दयार हूं
मुज़तर ख़ैराबादी
Now read the same ghazal in Roman English:
na kisii ki aaNkh ka nuur hai, na kisii ke dil ka qaraar huuN
jo kisii ke kaam na aa sake maiN woh musht-e-ghubaar huuN
meraa rang ruup bigaR gayaa mera baKht mujhse bichhaR gayaa
jo chaman KhizaaN se ujaR gayaa maiN usii kii fasl-e-bahaar huuN
pa'i fatiha koii aaye kyuun, koi chaar phuul chaRhaaye kyuuN
koi shamaa la ke jalaaye kyuuN, ki maiN bekasii ka mazaar huuN
na maiN Muztar unka habiib huuN, na maiN Muztar unka raqiib huun
jo palaT gayaa woh nasiib huun, jo ujaR gayaa woh dayaar huuN
Muztar Khairabadi
HISTORY OF THE LITERARY CONTROVERSY REGARDING THIS GHAZAL
**['Qawwals' often take similar couplets from different ghazals and introduce them in another poets' ghazal. Also, folklore results in similar confusions. This ghazal had once stirred a major debate and literary heavyweights agreed that 'na kisi kee aankh ka nur huu...' was Muztar's ghazal.
Occasionally, even today there are some people who insist that it is Zafar's ghazal. In a way, controversy continues. In Urdu poetry, there is also a tradition to write 'ghazals' in the zameen [meter-rhythm style] of famous poets.
Hence, many other poets write similar ghazals and singers use better couplets from these ghazals while singing. In case of Ahmad Faraz' famous ghazal, 'Suna hai log usko aankh bhar ke dekhte hain....', there are several couplets which he didn't write but are sung.
Faraz often used to inform audiences in the mushaira about this aspect before reciting his ghazal. Also, in the context of above mentioned ghazal, there are similar such couplets which are in circulation, like:
na raha voh rang na bu rahi, na gulo.n ki khuubi-o-khuu rahii
jo khizaaN ke haathon tabaah hai, maiN voh yaadgaar-e-bahaar huuN
Though most of the senior litterateurs agree that it is Muztar's ghazal, there is a need to settle the debate once for all. This is what is expected from 'muhaqqiqs' in literature. They must find the truth through diligent tehqeeq [research].
Even other legends have not been spared.
'Aa ke sajjadah-nashiiN Qais huaa mere baad
Na rahii dasht meN Khaali koii jaa mere baad'
This ghazal is attributed to Mir Taqi Mir. Though the truth is that four couplets in this ghazal are taken from poet Ghafil's ghazal and four from another old poet Hawas' composition. These examples are given to inform the reader of this blog about literary issues.
Muztar Khairabadi was a master poet of classical style. He was posted
as judge in Tonk in Rajasthan [then Rajputana] in British India. He is
known for being such a
qaadir-ul-kalaam poet that he even wrote a long judgment in poetry.
Those who claim it to be Zafar's ghazal insisted that Muztar couldn't have suffered such pain, which Zafar had to undergo. True, but this can not be sole premise. Zafar was the last Mughal king. It is said that Zauq, the court poet, often helped him with his ghazals.
But the fact remains that Zafar was an accomplished poet of a distinct style. Did he write the ghazal in Rangoon [Burma] during exile and it reached India later through singers? At least, such literary controversies keep researchers, critics and litterateurs busy.]
