This poem was translated by Professor Carlo Coppola as part of the MULOSIGE Translations project. You can explore our collection of Urdu Poetry here.

Professor Carlo Coppola, Oakland University

Ḥusn ko be hijāb honā thā / Beauty was destined to be unveiled

Beauty was destined to be unveiled; 

Yearning had to succeed.

Do not ask about the ecstasy of agitation in separation – 

Even the heart’s blood had to become wine.

I was at last surrounded by your radiance; 

The particle had to become the sun.

It was partly the result of an infidel-glance;

Partly I myself was fated to become drunk from it.

O Majaz, the falling of stars at night

Had to be a source of agitation.

  1930

.

From: Āhang (Melody; 1938). Dihlī: Āzād Kitāb Ghar. 1956. p. 17

             

Beauty was destined to be unveiled; 

Yearning had to succeed.

Do not ask about the ecstasy of agitation in separation – 

Even the heart’s blood had to become wine.

I was at last surrounded by your radiance; 

The particle had to become the sun.

It was partly the result of an infidel-glance;

Partly I myself was fated to become drunk from it.

O Majaz, the falling of stars at night

Had to be a source of agitation.

  1930

.

From: Āhang (Melody; 1938). Dihlī: Āzād Kitāb Ghar. 1956. p. 17