Hindi Kala presents Gulzar‘s Poem Alaav about the bonfire in Hindi & English with the poem’s Meaning (English Translation).

गुलज़ार की अलाव अख़बार

रात भर सर्द हवा चलती रही
रात भर हमने
अलाव तापा
मैंने माज़ी से कई ख़ुश्क सी शाख़ें काटीं
तुमने भी गुज़रे हुए लम्हों के पत्ते तोड़े

मैंने जेबों से निकालीं सभी सूखी नज़्में
तुमने भी हाथों से मुरझाए हुए ख़त खोले
अपनी इन आँखों से मैंने कई मांजे तोड़े
और हाथों से कई बासी लकीरें फेंकीं

तुमने पलकों पे नमी सूख गई थी सो गिरा दी
रात भर जो मिला उगते बदन पर हमको
काट के डाल दिया जलते अलाव में उसे
रात भर फूंकों से हर लौ को जगाये रखा
और दो जिस्मों के ईंधन को जलाये रखा
रात भर बुझते हुए रिश्ते को तापा हमने

~ गुलज़ार | Gulzar

Gulzar’s Poem Alaav in Roman Transcript

Raat Bhar Sard Hawa Chalti Rahi
Raat Bhar Humne
Alaav Taapa

Maine Maaji Se Kai Khushk Si Shaakhen Kaati
Tumne Bhi Guzre Hue Lamhon Ke Patte Tode
Maine Jebon Se Nikali Sabhi Sukhi Nazmen
Tumne Bhi Haathon Se Murjhaye Hue Khat Khole
Apni In Aankhon Se Maine Kai Manje Tode
Aur Haathon Se Kai Baasi Lakirin Phenk

Tumne Palakon Pe Nami Sukh Gai Thi So Gira Di
Raat Bhar Jo Mila Ugte Badan Par Hamko
Kaat Ke Daal Diya Jalte Alaav Mein Use
Raat Bhar Phunkon Se Har Lau Ko Jagaye Rakha
Aur Do Jism Ke Indhan Ko Jalaye Rakha
Raat Bhar Bujhte Hue Rishte Ko Taapa Humne

~ गुलज़ार | Gulzar

Gulzar’s Poem Alaav Meaning (English Translation)

All through the night, the cold winds blew,
We warmed ourselves by the fire’s hue.
I cut dry branches from memories past,
You plucked fallen leaves of moments that didn’t last.

From my pockets, I pulled out poems, now dry,
You opened letters that had long waved goodbye.
With my eyes, I broke strings tethered to old dreams,
And with my hands, I discarded stale lines’ beams.
You let fall the moisture your lashes had held,
The dried tears that time itself expelled.

All that we found on our weary skin,
We cut and fed to the fire within.
Through the night, with breaths, we kept flames alive,
Burning the fuel of two bodies to survive.
Together, we tended a fading connection’s glow,
Warming a bond as cold winds did blow.

Essence of the Poem

A couple reflecting on their romance on a chilly night is vividly depicted in this poem by Gulzar. They explore their past and relive both happy and sad memories. Burning these relics of the past is a therapeutic process of letting go and choosing to move on.

Key themes:
Introspection and nostalgia: The pair is thinking back on their past in great detail, going over both joyful and sad recollections.
Letting go of the past: The “dry branches,” “withered letters,” and “stale lines” are burned to represent a deliberate attempt to let go of the weight of the past.
Relationship dynamics: The poem explores the complexities of a relationship, the ups and downs, and the effort required to keep it alive.
The power of the past: The “dry branches” and “withered letters,” which stand in for the past, nonetheless have an impact on the present.
The warmth of companionship: Their relationship is symbolised by the fire, which serves as a source of warmth and purification.

The poet alludes to the idea that relationships, like flames, require ongoing care and occasionally the shedding of the old to make room for the new. Love, loss, and the human condition are all powerfully explored in this poem.

~ गुलज़ार | Gulzar

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