Lucknow the capital of northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh as being historically known across the globe as City Of Nawabs. During the early 18th and 19th Century it is said that Lucknow woke up in the evening and it’s cultural richness was described as Avadh-Ki-Shaam (Evening Of Avadh). It was a description starkly opposite to Banaras. The other cultural seat which was Banaras-Ki-Subah (Morning Of Banaras).
The pomp and splendour of Lucknow was effaced when Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was deposed by the British in 1854. He burst out: Babul mora naihar chhoTo jaaye (later immortalized by K.L. Saigal). With that came an end of the magnificent era of music, dance, poetry, literature and what not! Today, the refinement of “Pehle Aap” has all but disappeared. The rich Lucknowi culture is on the verge of extinction.
The grandiloquence, the generosity and the old ‘jaan-nisaar’ spirit is now more a matter of nostalgia. As elsewhere, corruption has taken the roots. The havelis that once dotted the city have given way to modern apartments. Lifeless statues of elephant and living political figures, costing the exchequer billions of rupees, occupy many acres of land to symbolise political power and clout.
I’m reminded of the disfigured Ozymandias in Shelley’s poem which says: “Look on my work ye mighty and despair”. Isn’t that the lot of even the mighty mortals? The silver lining remains in the form of excellent cuisine, ‘chikankaari’, the remaining courtesans, ghazals and Thumris.
Last month I had an opportunity to visit and stay at Lucknow.
Lucknow has indefinite number of blogs and vlogs but I found this poetry by Shakeel Badayuni which he penned for noted Indian film director Guru Dutt which was used in 1960 for the movie – Chaudhvin Ka Chaand.
I am sharing the Poetry lyrics best available
Movie: CHAUDHVIN KA CHAAND (1960)
Song- Yeh Lucknow Ki SarZameen
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
Music: Ravi
Singer: Mohammad Rafi
The song can be heard here
The translation of the song in English can be read below
THIS REGION OF LUCKNOW,
THIS REGION OF LUCKNOW,
THIS REGION OF LUCKNOW,
THIS REGION OF LUCKNOW,
THIS REGION OF LUCKNOW…
THIS GARDEN OF BEAUTEOUS BLOOM ,
THIS HOMELAND OF BEAUTY AND LOVE,
‘TIS THIS VERY PLACE
THAT HAS THE EVENING OF OUDH,
YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL,
THIS REGION OF LUCKNOW…
THIS HOME TO YOUTHFUL COUPLETS,
THIS CITY OF ERUDITE PEOPLE,
LAPPED IN DESTINATIONS ARE
EVERY ROUTE HERE,
THIS CITY IS A GARDEN OF TULIPS,
HERE THE HEARTS ARE FULL OF LOVE,
WHEREVER YOU GLANCE
THERE’S SPRING AND ONLY SPRING,
EVERY BUD IS EXQUISITELY BEAUTIFUL,
THIS REGION OF LUCKNOW,
THIS REGION OF LUCKNOW…
ALL THE HISTORIES OF THIS PLACE
ARE THE CREATIONS OF ELEGANCE OF MANNERS,
HERE, THE RICH ARE GENEROUS HEARTED,
THE POOR ARE READY TO SACRIFICE LIFE,
ON EVERY BRANCH HERE
THE SONG-BIRDS SING,
LIFE IN EVERY LANE,
AT EVERY STEP, LAUGHTER,
EVERY SIGHT GETS INGRAINED IN THE HEART,
THIS REGION OF LUCKNOW,
THIS REGION OF LUCKNOW…
FAITHFUL ARE THE FRIENDS HERE,
DEVOTED TO LOVE AND AFFECTION,
IF THEY BEFRIEND SOMEONE,
THUS THEY REMAIN LIFELONG!
FULFILLING ONE’S PROMISE,
ELEVATING THE EMINENCE OF THE HEART TOO,
THERE ARE SUCH BENEVOLENT PEOPLE TOO,
IF YOU SAY, THEY WOULD GIVE THEIR LIFE TOO,
IF THE FRIENDSHIP IS TRUSTED,
THIS REGION OF LUCKNOW,
THIS REGION OF LUCKNOW,
THIS REGION OF LUCKNOW,
THIS REGION OF LUCKNOW,
THIS REGION OF LUCKNOW,
Link for above https://nasir-eclectic.blogspot.com/2010/07/642-philosophical-song-of-rafi-yeh.html
Archit Ratan 