TONIGHT, STAY WITH , MY FRIEND

                                              

                                       

AZ   ROZ   SAANE………. ( Tonight, Stay   with us  )

(Photo... Avtar Mota )

Sometime in 2012, I met Ghulam Mohammad Giri in Banihal town.  He is the landlord of our bank’s premises in Banihal. Kashmiri is his mother tongue. It was an official meeting. Banihal falls in the Jammu division of the J&K . That day I had some official work at IRCON’s Banihal office also. With Ghulam Mohammad Giri, I had a long and fruitful discussion with regard to some pending issues  relating to the layout, early completion and structural changes in the proposed premises. I was impressed by the simplicity and sincerity of Ghulam Mohammad Giri.

When I sought permission to leave, he requested in a typical Kashmiri style,  “ tal sa beh az saani ”or ' please stay with us tonight '  .  I looked at his face.  The words had sprung with truth and sincerity. Many years after the dislocation from the valley, these words of  Kashmiri hospitality touched me .Having travelled to Banihal early in the morning in my vehicle , I had to return to Jammu the same  day . I couldn't accede to his request as I had some urgency . 

 Quite often, many elderly ladies in our families   would also say so to  the  visitors to their house. I have heard  them humming poet Mahjoor's memorable song  , “ Az roz Saane-.....dilbar myyane  ” even after the visitor had departed .

 

Az   roz saane… dilbar myaane

Boz nundbane.. dilbar myaane

Bulbul sundh azaab

Loluk izteraab

Gul kya zaane

dilbar myaane

Khaana paraaviem

Khaaes bharnaaviem

Haawas tchaane

Dilbar myaane 

Az roz saane ...

( Mahjoor )

 

Stay tonight with us ,

My friend! My darling  !

Listen O prettiest  ! My darling !

The suffering of the Bulbul,

And the agony of the Love,

Ignorant is the flower about all this.

The table is laid,

And the cups are  filled,

In your longing , my love.

My friend ! My darling !...

Stay tonight with us

( Avtar Mota)

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Based on a work at http:\\autarmota.blogspot.com\.