Kaale baadal 
romancing the rain

i fear that she will not come
when she sees the dark clouds
oh god, for a moment may they disappear
those dark clouds

today they arrrived in a whirlwind
those dark clouds
each, like a drunken binge unbolting all doors,
those dark clouds

don't let your hair blow in the wind
when you walk out on the terrace
they could whisk away it's blackness
those dark clouds

heartbreaking, what they say upon parting,
"send out anew a plea like yesterday
please, grace us again with
those dark clouds..."

Lyrics: Ustad Qamar Jalalvi

Main jaam utha rahaa tha 
befriending the bottle

i was just about to raise my glass
when you arose in my thoughts
i was just forgetting you
when you arose in my thoughts

Allah only knows what my prayers give rise to
and i, with my head justly bowed,
when you arose in my thoughts

someone was just reading aloud
the letter from his beloved
and you arose in my thoughts

whom am i waiting for, that death will not approach?
i was just asking myself
when you arose in my thoughts.

Lyrics: Anjum Jaipuri

Main ghazal hoon
Mastering melodie

i am a *ghazal
decorate me with Ragas
awaken me through
the enchantment
of a tender voice

i can act like a blushing lover
if i go out of tune, i can also
be retuned into a good mood

only those who understand art
can recognize my true value
do not make me sing for those
unable to appreciate me

**Mir and Ghalib have made the art that
is known as Ghazal sublime
this must never come into the hands
of the ignorant

* Urdu poem
** Urdu poets, 18th and 19th century

Lyrics: Naseem Ajme>

Khushboo khayaal
bewitching beauty

sweet smell,thought or colour of a melody
what shall i name you
captured by your gaze, i wonder,
what shall i then call you

a burning thirst lingers 
around this heart of mine
if you'll allow me
i'll name you 'my wellspring'

as if the tone of the bansuri flute
has come alive
Radha, who dances in the woods of Mathura,
yes, this i will call you

a dream that has always linked us
is now forever destroyed
my love, my lost desire
yes,this i shall name you

Lyrics: Zameer Kazmi

Main khayaal hoon
doomed destiny

i belong in the thoughts of someone
although someone else is thinking of me
the mirror shows my image
beyond the mirror, is the image of another

i am coveted by the one
while the other prays for me
i run loosely through the one 
while the other requests me

a strange battle between 
certainty and suspicion
now propels my life
i live with the one
and the other offers the gift of her love

should i ever meet her again
i must not ask
nor even look at her
she, who along the way has discovered that...
this pathway some other is

Lyrics: Salim Kausar

Main teri aankh men
seeking sight

i belong in your eyes
lying next to your tears
my life,blinking off and on, 
as the light of the firefly.

people listen to me in amazement
but there is noone i belong with
estranged in this land (as i am)
as urdu to other language.

she creates her own world
just like a child does
as i do, 
entwined in these locks of her hair.

in spite of everything, i am even today
bound to her, Hassan;
as the links of her ankle bracelet
i am bound to her foot.

Lyrics: Hassan Kazmi

Poshaak pehan aaya
sparkling spring

she arrives decked in her spring dress
my beloved Springcolour
every corner of the house has
now the glow of Springcolour

what a delight to view those
lovely blossoms in your hair
some are as red as roses
some, pastel as Springcolour

do not cover your face, as Springcolour is your veil
your lips (shall be) painted,your cheeks (become) blushed 
in the shades of Springcolour

any sort of cloth,whichever colour,
adorns your body well
yet i would like to see you clothed 'au naturel'
my beloved Springcolour

Lyrics: Sabir Dutt

Zindagi bhi lage sazaa koi
punishing the pain

life itself seems to me now
pure torture
do not turn away from me, i beg you

i should like to rob myself of this life
and convince myself
is there really a god in heaven

this city of yours is in shambles
she offers no shade
there is no breath of air

he who loved you with reckless abandonment
that was not me
that was truly another

lyrics: Asad Mufti