Sher on Tanz-o-Mizah
The poetry of humour
and satire has multiple dimensions and makes sense to readers at different planes. This poetry makes you laugh but it also drives you to taste the bitterness of life. This selection of verses will help you see life from close quarters and appreciate its richness and variety through humour and satire.
paidā huā vakīl to shaitān ne kahā
lo aaj ham bhī sāhib-e-aulād ho ga.e
seeing the lawyer born, satan was moved to say
lo and behold I have become a father today
paida hua wakil to shaitan ne kaha
lo aaj hum bhi sahib-e-aulad ho gae
seeing the lawyer born, satan was moved to say
lo and behold I have become a father today
maiñ bhī graduate huuñ tum bhī graduate
ilmī mubāhise hoñ zarā paas aa ke leT
main bhi graduate hun tum bhi graduate
ilmi mubahise hon zara pas aa ke leT
B.A bhī paas hoñ mile bī-bī bhī dil-pasand
mehnat kī hai vo baat ye qismat kī baat hai
BA bhi pas hon mile bi-bi bhi dil-pasand
mehnat ki hai wo baat ye qismat ki baat hai
tifl meñ bū aa.e kyā maañ baap ke atvār kī
duudh to Dibbe kā hai ta.alīm hai sarkār kī
tifl mein bu aae kya man bap ke atwar ki
dudh to Dibbe ka hai talim hai sarkar ki
coat aur patlūn jab pahnā to mister ban gayā
jab koī taqrīr kī jalse meñ leader ban gayā
donning fancy clothes beame a gentlean avowed
and turned into a leader on speaking to a crowd,
coat aur patlun jab pahna to mister ban gaya
jab koi taqrir ki jalse mein leader ban gaya
donning fancy clothes beame a gentlean avowed
and turned into a leader on speaking to a crowd,
būḌhoñ ke saath log kahāñ tak vafā kareñ
būḌhoñ ko bhī jo maut na aa.e to kyā kareñ
buDhon ke sath log kahan tak wafa karen
buDhon ko bhi jo maut na aae to kya karen
rahmān ke farishte go haiñ bahut muqaddas
shaitān hī kī jānib lekin majority hai
rahman ke farishte go hain bahut muqaddas
shaitan hi ki jaanib lekin majority hai
dinner se tum ko fursat kam yahāñ faaqe se kam ḳhālī
chalo bas ho chukā milnā na tum ḳhālī na ham ḳhālī
dinner se tum ko fursat kam yahan faqe se kam KHali
chalo bas ho chuka milna na tum KHali na hum KHali
