Bahar Aayi - FAIZ AHMED FAIZ (Famous Urdu Poetry)

Urdu Poetry by Faiz Ahmed Faiz
Poem (Nazm): Bahaar Aayi
Recitation: Raheel Farooq

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Faiz Ahmad Faiz, a renowned Urdu poet born in 1911 in Sialkot, is celebrated for his profound and revolutionary poetry, blending themes of love and social justice. His early education and college years at Government College, Lahore, cultivated his poetic talent, which aligned with the socio-political movements of his time. Faiz started his career as an English lecturer and became a prominent figure in the Progressive Writers' Movement, advocating for social issues through literature. His first poetry collection, Naqsh-e-Faryadi*, gained him recognition as a voice of dissent. Faiz's work extended beyond poetry to editing literary magazines and journalism, demonstrating his commitment to activism, especially in labor rights. His poetry, a fusion of personal and political themes, spans passionate *ghazals and socially engaged *nazms*. Faiz's works have been translated into many languages, and he received several awards, including the Lenin Peace Prize in 1962. He passed away in 1984, leaving a lasting legacy as a poet of resistance, whose poetry continues to inspire readers worldwide.

Complete Poem in Roman Urdu Text (Courtesy: Rekhta):

bahaar aai to jaise yak-bar
lauT aae hain phir adam se
wo KHwab sare shabab sare
jo tere honTon pe mar-miTe the
jo miT ke har bar phir jiye the
nikhar gae hain gulab sare
jo teri yaadon se mushkbu hain
jo tere ushshaq ka lahu hain
ubal paDe hain azab sare
malal-e-ahwal-e-dostan bhi
KHumar-e-aghosh-e-mah-washan bhi
ghubar-e-KHatir ke bab sare
tere hamare
sawal sare jawab sare
bahaar aai to khul gae hain
nae sire se hisab sare

English Translation (Translator Unknown):

Spring has come and all at once
From the dead past return
All those dreams, all that youth
That on your lips were burnt away,
which from their ashes arose always.
Bloom again the roses
perfumed by memories of you;
They are the lifeblood
Of those who loved you.
All of a sudden torments overflow,
Misery over friends’ misfortunes,
Languors of love for beauties fair as the moon.
All the causes for rancours,
Yours and mine,
All the questions and answers
Spring has come and old accounts
Open anew.

Bahaar Aai ("Spring Has Come") is one of Faiz Ahmad Faiz's most celebrated poems, demonstrating his exceptional skill in blending romanticism with subtle social and political commentary. The poem captures the theme of renewal and hope's return with the arrival of spring, symbolizing rebirth, revival, and resistance against oppression.

The poem begins with a sudden sense of transformation, highlighting how spring brings back the past: “From the dead past return.” Faiz uses spring not just as a seasonal change but as a symbol for the revival of life, dreams, and emotions that seemed lost. The reference to “all those dreams, all that youth” hints at the resurgence of past joys and sorrows, particularly those tied to love and passion. These were the moments “that on your lips were burnt away,” emphasizing the consuming nature of love that Faiz frequently explores in his poetry.

Roses, a recurring motif in Faiz's work, symbolize both love and the enduring memories of a beloved. In this poem, roses are "perfumed by memories of you," representing the lingering presence of the beloved and the lifeblood of those who have loved and kept memories alive, despite suffering and separation.

As the poem unfolds, it acknowledges the simultaneous arrival of "torments" and "misery" with spring's beauty. This contrast between beauty and pain is a hallmark of Faiz’s poetry. The overflowing “torments” reflect both personal sorrow over lost love and collective suffering. The line “languors of love for beauties fair as the moon” captures the universal yearning for beauty and connection, even amid suffering.

Faiz also touches on the theme of unresolved issues, both personal and social, as spring prompts "old accounts / Open anew." This suggests that renewal brings not only joy but also the resurfacing of past grievances and conflicts, reflecting life's cyclical nature and the ongoing interplay between joy and sorrow, love and loss, hope and despair.

Bahaar Aai transcends being just a poem about spring's arrival; it delves deep into the human experience, exploring love, social struggles, and the broader human condition. Faiz's ability to evoke profound emotional responses while engaging with socio-political themes makes this poem resonate with themes of romantic and love Urdu shayari. It remains timeless, appealing to readers across generations and illustrating Faiz’s belief in poetry's power to inspire change, revive hope, and reflect the resilience of the human spirit. Through this poem, Faiz encourages readers to embrace the beauty of spring while acknowledging the inevitable pain and challenges it brings, fostering a deeper appreciation for life's complexities.

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