Bashir Badr, a luminary in modern Urdu poetry, revolutionized shayari by making it relatable to the masses and youth.
His verses oscillate between heart-wrenching melancholy and philosophical reflection, capturing the paradoxes of human existence. From unrequited love (“Kabhi kabhi to chhalak padi hai yunhi aankhein…”to societal critiques (“Log tute jaate hain ek ghar banane mein…”) Badr’s work resonates with raw authenticity.
This collection dives into his iconic shayari, translated for global audiences, while celebrating his legacy as a poet who bridged classical traditions with contemporary emotions.
Love & Longing
Kuchh to majbooriyan rahi hongi,
yun koi bevafa nahi hota.
Ujaale apni yaadon ke humare saath rahne do,
na jaane kis gali mein zindagi ki shaam ho jaye.
Dushmani jam kar karo lekin ye gunjaish rahe.
Jab kabhi hum dost ho jaayein to sharminda na hon.
Musafir hain hum bhi, musafir ho tum bhi,
kisi mod par phir mulaqat hogi.
Existential Musings
Zindagi tu ne mujhe qabr se kam di hai zameen,
paon phailaun to divar mein sar lagta hai.
Koi haath bhi na milega, jo gale miloge tapak se,
ye naye mizaj ka shahr hai, jara fasle se mila karo.
Societal Critique
Yahan libas ki qimat hai, aadmi ki nahi,
mujhe gilas bade de, sharab kam kar de.
Mohabbaton mein dikhave ki dosti nahi mili,
agar gale nahi milta to haath bhi na mila.
Sar jhukaoge to patthar devta ho jayega,
itna mat chaho use wo bevafa ho jayega.
Gharo pe naam the, namon ke saath ohde the,
bahut talash kiya, koi aadmi nahi mila.
Log tute jaate hain ek ghar banane mein,
tum taras nahi khate bastiyan jalane mein.
Kabhi kabhi to chhalak padi hai yunhi aankhein,
udaas hone ka koi sabab nahi hota.
Ishi shahr mein kai saal se mere kuch qarib aeziz hain,
unhe meri koi khabar nahi, mujhe unka koi pata nahi.
Ajeeb shakhs hai, naraaz ho ke haste hain,
main chahta hoon khafa ho to wo khafa hi lage.
Ji bahut chahta hai sach bole,
kya karen hausla nahi hota.
Khuda aise ehsaas ka naam hai,
rahe samne aur dikhaye na de.
Aankhon mein raha dil mein utar kar nahi dekha,
kashti ke musafir ne samundar nahi dekha.
Melancholy & Nostalgia
Uski aankhon ko gaur se dekho,
mandiron mein chiraag jalte hain.
Gulabon ki tarah shabnam mein apna dil bhigote hain,
abke aansu aankhon se dil mein utare.
Aashiqi mein bahut zaroori hai,
bevafai kabhi kabhi karna.
Mujh se kya baat likhani hai ki ab mere liye,
kabhi sone kabhi chandi ke qalam aate hain.
Societal Critique
Yahan libas ki qimat hai, aadmi ki nahi,
mujhe gilas bade de, sharab kam kar de.
Gharo pe naam the, namon ke saath ohde the,
bahut talash kiya, koi aadmi nahi mila.
Sar jhukaoge to patthar devta ho jayega,
itna mat chaho use wo bevafa ho jayega.
Timeless Wisdom
Lafzon ka pairon par lipatna, nazon se bahna,
haathon se risna… tera hi saara khumaar hai
Dil mera toda hai dard aap sabko de raha hoon.
Usee ko bhi maalum hai ki lajawab hain hum!
Paas rehkar jada-si lagti hai zindagi, bewafa-si lagti hai.
Mein tumhare bina bhi ji loon, yeh dua bad’a-si lagti hai.
Jis din se chala hoon meri manzil par nazar hai.
Gulabon ki tarah shabnam mein apna dil bhigothe hain.
Mujhko sham bata deti hai,
tum kaise kapde pehne ho.
Milte to hazaar log the zindagi mein,
par wo sab se alag tha jisko samjho.
Jiyo to phir maro, maro to phir jee lo.
Is duniya mein sab kuch hai, bas apna nahi koi.
Charagh rupak hai nek aur bhale aadmi ka,
uske sandarbh mein roshni hai neki ki.
Conclusion
Bashir Badr’s shayari transcends time, offering solace in shared human experiences—love, loss, and the quiet ache of nostalgia (“Ujaale apni yaadon ke humare saath rahne do”) His ability to weave simplicity with profundity (“Zindagi tu ne mujhe qabr se kam di hai zameen”) cements his status as a poetic icon. Let his verses linger in your mind, reminding you that even in solitude, there’s beauty in brokenness. Dive deeper into his world—where every couplet is a mirror to the soul.
