Today In Celebrating Asian Voices~ Khalil Haider
Khalil Haider Sings Nasir Kazmi
Khalil Haider has been a well-known singer in Pakistan. One of my favorites sung by him is poetry by Nasir Kazmi, which has been translated today, here on Celebrating Asian Voices.
Spot light on Nasir Kazmi
Nasir Kazmi is the founder of Modern Urdu Ghazal, whose poetry is known for being realistic. He called Poetry his Religion as mentioned on Rekhta and published multiple books in his life. He died at an age of 47 due to stomach cancer.
Today in Translation, Khalil’s most listened song and Nasir’s Famous poetry ~ Where Do I Go, Dressed Up Nice?
What does Nasir keep saying?
Better not to listen,
Crazy, as he is,
Better not converse with crazy.
Having changed the clothes,
and combed the hair,
where are you going?
For whom?
Night is too dark, Nasir,
better not leave the home.
Where to go wearing new clothes?
And for whom to comb my hair?
That person has left the city,
For whom do I go outside, anywhere?
The sunrays that chilled my heart,
Those rays departed with him.
Now in these hot and dry streets,
For whom should I blow dust and grains?
When he was in the city, so for him,
I had to meet others too.
Now, the people of such caliber,
For whom should I pamper?
For long, nobody visited,
So deserted is the abode.
In these vacant rooms, Nasir,
For whom to lit the taper?
Access to the playlist, Translated On Substack.