kaifi Azmi is a very famous Urdu poet in India who has written numerous poems, Gazals or songs. I happened to come across this poetry of his which struck me and has remained with me for many years. His own narration of it, is icing on the cake. His tired voice reciting it, is like a hymn. Some of the words may seem haunting and show longing of the poet to find a utopian land, where he will be happy with all his wishes fulfilled, but once you hear kaifi azmi reciting this poem, who will know the depth of his words.

I have heard many of his songs in old Bollywood movies but this poem is my favorite of his. I wish I could have write and recite like him. Urdu is a beautiful language to express yourself, if you know the vocabulary well.


main dhundta huun jise vo jahan nahin milta
nai zamin naya asman nahin milta

nai zamin naya asman bhi mil jaae
nae bashar ka kahin kuchh nishan nahin milta

khada huun kab se main chehron ke ek jangal men
tumhare chehre ka kuchh bhi yahan nahin milta

vo tegh mil gai jis se hua hai qatl mira
kisi ke haath ka us par nishan nahin milta

jo ik khuda nahin milta to itna matam kya
mujhe khud apne kadam ka nishaan nahi milta 

vo mera gaanv hai vo mere gaanv ke chulhe
ki jin men shole to shole dhuan nahin milta

main dhundta huun jise vo jahan nahin milta
nai zamin naya asman nahin milta

English Translation

The new horizons that I seek are beyond me.
The world I am in search of cannot be found.

Even if I am able to find this new land,
but is there is no sign of a good omen

Here I am standing in the midst of a jungle of faces
and yet it is your countenance that cannot be found.

The arrows that have pierced my heart have been discovered
but the hands that pulled the string cannot be found.

What is the worry if I cannot find God,
when my own footprints cannot be found.

Over there is my village and those are its fireplace,
in which you can neither find any fire nor any smoke

The new horizons that I seek are beyond me.
The world I am in search of cannot be found.

References:

Kaifi Azmi – REBEL With A Cause