KHala sa kahin hai

ḳhayābān-e-dānish-gah-e-mumbai se

yahāñ rāj-path ke safar tak

hamesha mire zer-e-pā

shāhrāheñ rahī haiñ

aalā imārāt

sarsabz maidāñ

do-rūya qatāroñ meñ

ashjār-e-farhāñ

tamaddun ke ġhammāz

be-misl naql-o-hamal ke zarā.e

tahaffuz ko jāñ-bāz

sar baaz har gaam āñhkeñ bichhā.e

maiñ ik bachcha-e-qarya-e-dūr-uftāda

lekin

mire baḳht meñ aaj tak

pā.e-taḳhtī sukūnat rahī hai

aur ab jis idāre se vābastagī hai

vahāñ ain lāzim hai bairūn-e-kishvar

yuuñ hī pā.e-taḳhtī sukūnat mile

(ya.anī mahfil meñ uzlat mile)

vo ḳhush-baḳht o ḳhush-kām hoñ

zindagī se shikāyat

sarāsar ġhalat nā-ravā hai

vo bar-haq hai haq jāntā hai

magar ye bhī haq hai

maiñ ik aisā fan-pāra huuñ

jis ke fankār

is shahr ke kohna ghar meñ makīñ haiñ

jahāñ vāpsī ke mirī aaj imkāñ nahīñ haiñ

maiñ akasr

yahī sochtā thā

sabhī kuchh mayassar hai

phir kyuuñ ḳhalā sā kahīñ hai

khulā hijr-e-fankār se dil hazīñ hai

KHayaban-e-danish-gah-e-mumbai se

yahan raj-path ke safar tak

hamesha mere zer-e-pa

shahrahen rahi hain

aala imaraat

sarsabz maidan

do-ruya qataron mein

ashjar-e-farhan

tamaddun ke ghammaz

be-misl naql-o-hamal ke zarae

tahaffuz ko jaan-baz

sar baz har gam aanhken bichhae

main ek bachcha-e-qarya-e-dur-uftada

lekin

mere baKHt mein aaj tak

pae-taKHti sukunat rahi hai

aur ab jis idare se wabastagi hai

wahan ain lazim hai bairun-e-kishwar

yun hi pae-taKHti sukunat mile

(yani mahfil mein uzlat mile)

wo KHush-baKHt o KHush-kaam hon

zindagi se shikayat

sarasar ghalat na-rawa hai

wo bar-haq hai haq jaanta hai

magar ye bhi haq hai

main ek aisa fan-para hun

jis ke fankar

is shahr ke kohna ghar mein makin hain

jahan wapsi ke meri aaj imkan nahin hain

main akasr

yahi sochta tha

sabhi kuchh mayassar hai

phir kyun KHala sa kahin hai

khula hijr-e-fankar se dil hazin hai