Borrowed Beginnings, Original Souls — SAM Ruh
SAM Ruh · Takhmeel

Borrowed Beginnings,
Original Souls

She took the opening lines of legendary Bollywood ghazals — written by Gulzar, Faraz, Shahryar, and others — and dared to complete what they began. Each verse is a conversation across time.

"Some lines were given to us
by those who came before.
I dared to finish them."

33 legendary ghazal openings  ·  33 original completions  ·  One soul's humble attempt.

Sam-Ruh  ·  sam-ruh.com
Gulzar & Shahryar — The Poets of Longing
01
Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi  ·  2003  ·  Gulzar
हज़ारों ख्वाहिशें ऐसी के हर ख्वाहिश पे दम निकले ।
Hazaaron khwaishein aisi ke har khwaish pe dam nikle.
Thousands of desires — each one so burning that I would die for it.
SAM Ruh completes —
हम जलाते रहे दिये उम्र भर, और देखिये हम ही पिघले ।
Hum jalaate rahe diye umr bhar, aur dekhiye hum hi pighle.
We spent our whole lives lighting lamps for others — and in the end, it was we who melted away.
02
Mausam  ·  1975  ·  Gulzar
दिल ढूँढता है फिर वही फ़ुरसत के रात दिन ।
Dil dhoondta hai phir wahi fursat ke raat din.
The heart searches again for those same leisurely days and nights.
SAM Ruh completes —
मिल जायेगी, ये उम्मीद थी, पर रह गये हम लम्हे गिन ।
Mil jaayegi, ye ummeed thi, par reh gaye hum lamhe gin.
We hoped those idle, unhurried days would find us again. Instead, we spent our lives counting moments that never returned.
03
Gaman  ·  1978  ·  Shahryar
सीने में जलन आँखों में तूफ़ान सा क्यों है ।
Seene mein jalan aankhon mein toofaan sa kyun hai.
Why is there a burning in the chest and a storm in the eyes?
SAM Ruh completes —
मेरा चैन और आराम, मुझसे यूँ अन्जान सा क्यों है ।
Mera chain aur aaram, mujhse yun anjaan sa kyun hai.
My own peace has become a stranger to me. I no longer recognise the quiet I once lived in.
04
Umrao Jaan  ·  1981  ·  Shahryar
इन आँखों की मस्ती के मस्ताने हज़ारों हैं ।
In aankhon ki masti ke mastaane hazaaron hain.
Thousands are intoxicated by the enchantment of these eyes.
SAM Ruh completes —
फिर भी तेरे ठुकराने से, दिल के टुकड़े हज़ारों हैं ।
Phir bhi tere thukraane se, dil ke tukde hazaaron hain.
A thousand people lost in those eyes — and yet your rejection alone was enough to shatter this one heart into a thousand pieces.
05
Umrao Jaan  ·  1981  ·  Muzaffar Ali
दिल चीज़ क्या है आप मेरी जान लीजिये ।
Dil cheez kya hai aap meri jaan lijiye.
What is the heart — please, take my very life.
SAM Ruh completes —
जान लेने से पहले, मोहब्बत है ये मान लीजिये ।
Jaan lene se pahle, mohabbat hai ye maan lijiye.
Before you take my life — know this: what I am offering you is love. That is all it has ever been.
06
Umrao Jaan  ·  1981  ·  Shahryar
जुस्तजू जिसकी थी उसको तो न पाया हमने ।
Justaju jiski thi usko to na paaya humne.
The one I was searching for — I never found.
SAM Ruh completes —
आरज़ू मरती नहीं, पा लेंगे — दिल को समझाया हमने ।
Aarzu marti nahin, pa lenge — dil ko samjhaya humne.
We never found the one we searched for. But longing never dies — so we told our heart: we will find them yet.
Ahmad Faraz, Hasan Kamaal & Bashir Badr
07
Ranjish Hi Sahi  ·  Ahmad Faraz  ·  Mehdi Hasan
रंजिश ही सही दिल ही दुखाने के लिए आ ।
Ranjish hi sahi dil hi dukhane ke liye aa.
Even if only out of bitterness — come, if only to hurt this heart.
SAM Ruh completes —
बीमार जिस्म को इक आख़िरी, गले लगाने के लिए आ ।
Beemaar jism ko ik aakhiri, gale lagaane ke liye aa.
Even if it is only to wound me — come. Let this aching body feel your arms one final time.
08
Nikaah  ·  1982  ·  Hasan Kamaal
चुपके चुपके रात दिन आँसू बहाना याद है ।
Chupke chupke raat din aansu bahaana yaad hai.
I remember weeping silently, night and day.
SAM Ruh completes —
तेरा हमें देखकर, अनदेखा कर देना याद है ।
Tera hamein dekhkar, andekha kar dena yaad hai.
What I cannot forget is how you looked straight through me — as if I were not there at all.
09
Aahista Aahista  ·  1981  ·  Bashir Badr
कभी किसी को मुकम्मल जहाँ नहीं मिलता ।
Kabhi kisi ko mukammal jahaan nahin milta.
No one ever gets a complete world.
SAM Ruh completes —
अच्छे बुरे का यहाँ, कुछ हिसाब नहीं मिलता ।
Achhe bure ka yahaan, kuch hisaab nahin milta.
And no ledger here keeps score of the good against the bad. We are all simply making do.
10
Ae Dil Hai Mushkil  ·  2016  ·  Amitabh Bhattacharya
आज जाने की ज़िद न करो यूँ ही पहलू में बैठे रहो ।
Aaj jaane ki zid na karo yun hi pahlu mein baithe raho.
Don't insist on leaving today — just stay here beside me, like this.
SAM Ruh completes —
कल आना नामुमकिन होगा, इस बात को, झुठलाते रहो ।
Kal aana naamumkin hoga, is baat ko, jhuthlate raho.
Stay a little longer — pretend tomorrow is not coming. We both know it is. But tonight, let us choose not to know.
Jagjit Singh & Bhupinder Singh — Voices of a Vanishing Era
11
Saath Saath  ·  1982  ·  Jagjit Singh
थोड़ी सी ज़मीन, थोड़ा आसमाँ...
Thodi si zameen, thoda aasmaan...
A little earth, a little sky...
SAM Ruh completes —
बस यही ख़्वाब, यही हैं अरमाँ
Bas yehi khwaab, yehi hain armaan
And in between — a whole lifetime of longing.
12
Woh Kaagaz Ki Kashti  ·  1982  ·  Jagjit Singh
वो काग़ज़ की कश्ती, वो बारिश का पानी...
Wo kaagaz ki kashti, wo baarish ka paani...
Those paper boats, that rain-water...
SAM Ruh completes —
उनमें बसी है मेरी नादानी
Unmen basi hai meri nadaani
The most beautiful kind of foolishness — the innocence that only childhood holds.
13
Arth  ·  1982  ·  Jagjit Singh
तुम इतना जो मुस्कुरा रहे हो...
Tum itna jo muskura rahe ho...
Why do you smile so much like that...
SAM Ruh completes —
आँसू न छलक जाएँ, इसीलिए बचा रहे हो
Aansu na chalak jaayein, iseeliye bacha rahe ho
Behind every wide smile lives a tear too proud to fall. You are not hiding your joy — you are protecting your grief.
14
Gharonda  ·  1977  ·  Bhupinder Singh
एक अकेला इस शहर में, रात में और दोपहर में...
Ek akela is shehar mein, raat mein aur dopahar mein...
One person, alone in this city — through the nights and through the afternoons...
SAM Ruh completes —
कब से हूँ अकेला, सोचता हूँ सहर में
Kab se hoon akela, sochta hoon sehar mein
And dawn keeps asking — since when have you been this alone?
15
Bazaar  ·  1982  ·  Bhupinder Singh
करोगे याद तो हर बात याद आएगी...
Karoge yaad toh har baat yaad aayegi...
If you remember — every single thing will come flooding back...
SAM Ruh completes —
भुलाओ लाख उन्हें, फिर भी लौट आएगी
Bhulaao laakh unhe, phir bhi laut aayegi
A million attempts to forget. One memory that never agrees to leave. Memory has no respect for resolve.
Dilwale · Aashiqui 2 · Jab We Met — The Beloved Films
16
Janam Janam  ·  Dilwale  ·  2015  ·  Amitabh Bhattacharya
जनम जनम जनम, साथ चलना युँही ।
Janam janam janam, saath chalna yunhi.
Life after life after life — walking together, just like this.
SAM Ruh completes —
भरम भरम भरम, बस भरम ही सही ।
Bharam bharam bharam, bas bharam hi sahi.
Even if it is only an illusion. Some illusions are worth every birth.
17
Tum Hi Ho  ·  Aashiqui 2  ·  2013  ·  Mithoon
मेरी बातों में तेरा ज़िक्र सदा ।
Meri baaton mein tera zikr sada.
In everything I say, your name is always there.
SAM Ruh completes —
तेरी मुस्कुराहटें, तेरी ही अदा ।
Teri muskurahatein, teri hi ada.
Your smile, your way — they live in my words before I even realise it.
18
Chahun Main Ya Naa  ·  Aashiqui 2  ·  2013  ·  Irshad Kamil
तुम्हारे इश्क़ से बनी हूँ मैं ।
Tumhare ishq se bani hoon main.
I am made from your love.
SAM Ruh completes —
तेरे ही इश्क़ में मिट जाऊँगी ।
Tere hi ishq mein mitt jaaoongi.
And I will dissolve into it — willingly, completely, without regret.
19
Tum Se Hi  ·  Jab We Met  ·  2007  ·  Irshad Kamil
तुमसे ही दिन होता है, सुरमई शाम आती है ।
Tum se hi din hota hai, surmayi shaam aati hai.
It is because of you that day begins, the kohl-soft evening comes.
SAM Ruh completes —
तुम जो न संग हो तो, ज़िंदगी सुनसान कहलाती है ।
Tum jo na sang ho toh, zindagi sunsaan kehlaati hai.
Without you beside me, life becomes a silence too heavy to carry.
20
Ab Ke Hum Bichhde  ·  Aandhi  ·  1975  ·  Gulzar
अब के हम बिछड़े तो शायद कभी ख़्वाबों में मिले ।
Ab ke hum bichhde to shayad kabhi khwabon mein mile.
Now that we part, perhaps we will meet someday in dreams.
SAM Ruh completes —
ख़्वाबों में शायद, हमारा अंजाम दूसरा निकले ।
Khwabon mein shayad, hamara anjaam doosra nikle.
In dreams — where endings are rewritten and fate agrees to try again.
21
Sun Saathiya  ·  ABCD 2  ·  2015  ·  Vayu
सुन साथिया माहिया, बरसा दे इश्क़ की स्याहियाँ ।
Sun saathiya maahiya, barsa de ishq ki syahiyaan.
Listen, my companion — pour down the inks of love upon me.
SAM Ruh completes —
तू मेरा दोस्त भी, हमसफ़र भी, मेरी ज़िंदगानियाँ ।
Tu mera dost bhi, humsafar bhi, meri zindaganiyaan.
You are my friend, my companion, my reason for living.
The Ghazal Voices — Across Films & Hearts
22
Sajde Kiye Hain Laakhon  ·  Traditional
सज्दे किये हैं लाखों, लाखों दुआएँ माँगी ।
Sajde kiye hain laakhon, laakhon duaaein maangi.
I have made countless prostrations, sought countless prayers.
SAM Ruh completes —
खुदा जानता है सब, मैंने बस उसकी इक नज़र माँगी ।
Khuda jaanta hai sab, maine bas uski ik nazar maangi.
He who knows every whisper of the heart — I asked for nothing grand. Only to be seen, once, by the one I love.
23
Naa Lafz Kharch Karna  ·  Barfi!  ·  2012  ·  Swanand Kirkire
ना लफ़्ज़ खर्च करना तुम ।
Naa lafz kharch karna tum.
Don't spend words on me.
SAM Ruh completes —
मैं भी आँसू छुपा लूँगी ।
Main bhi aansoon chupa loongi.
I'll keep my tears hidden.
24
Ek Tarfa Pyaar  ·  Ae Dil Hai Mushkil  ·  2016  ·  Amitabh Bhattacharya
एक तरफ़ा प्यार की ताक़त ही कुछ और होती है ।
Ek tarfa pyaar ki taqat hi kuch aur hoti hai.
The power of unrequited love is something else entirely.
SAM Ruh completes —
इसका नशा, इश्कज़ादों के नसीब में ये कहाँ होती है ।
Iska nasha, ishqzaadon ke naseeb mein ye kahan hoti hai.
This kind of intoxication is not for everyone's fate.
25
Kal Tadapna Pade  ·  Classical Ghazal  ·  Traditional
कल तड़पना पड़े याद में जिनकी ।
Kal tadapna pade yaad mein jinki.
Tomorrow you may ache in someone's memory.
SAM Ruh completes —
इस हक़ीक़त को ज़ेहन में दौड़ाना अच्छा ।
Is haqeeqat ko zehan mein daudaana acha.
Pain has a way of arriving exactly as foretold. Better to go in with open eyes.
26
Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaaye  ·  Anand  ·  1971  ·  Gulzar
कहीं दूर जब दिन ढल जाये, साँझ की दुल्हन बदन चुराये ।
Kahin door jab din dhal jaaye, saanjh ki dulhan badan churaaye.
Somewhere far, when the day draws to a close and the evening-bride veils herself away.
SAM Ruh completes —
तेरी यादें फिर दरवाज़ा खटखटाती हैं, कहे उसे अंदर आने दिया जाये ।
Teri yaadein phir darwaaza khatkhaatay hain, kahe use andar aane diya jaaye.
And every time, memory arrives at the door — asking to be let in once more. And every time, I do.
27
Kyun Meri Raahein  ·  Original Verse  ·  SAM Ruh
क्यूँ मेरी राहें, मुझसे पूछे घर कहाँ है ।
Kyun meri raahein, mujhse pooche ghar kahan hai.
Why do my own paths ask me where home is?
SAM Ruh completes —
ज़िंदगी रास्तों में गुज़र गई, थोड़ा आराम कर लूँ ।
Zindagi raasthon mein guzar gayi, thoda aaraam kar loon.
Life has been spent on the roads— and now perhaps, I should rest.
28
Khud Ko Main Haar Gaya  ·  Original Verse  ·  SAM Ruh
खुद को मैं हार गया, तुमको, तुमको मैं जीता हूँ ।
Khud ko main haar gaya, tumko, tumko main jeeta hoon.
I have lost myself — but you, you I have won.
SAM Ruh completes —
कितने दर्द सहे हैं? कितने ग़मों से बीता हूँ ।
Kitne dard sahe hain? Kitne ghamon se beeta hoon.
And yet here I stand — counting not victories, but the griefs I survived to reach you.
29
Tode Na Toote Kabhi  ·  Original Verse  ·  SAM Ruh
तोड़े ना टूटे कभी, छोड़े ना छूटे कभी — जो धागा तुमसे जुड़ गया वफ़ा का ।
Tode na toote kabhi, chhode na choote kabhi, jo dhaaga tumse jud gaya wafa ka.
Neither broken if pulled, nor released if let go — this thread of loyalty that bound itself to you.
SAM Ruh completes —
मोड़े ना मुड़े कभी, जोड़े ना जुड़े कभी — जो नसीब में है लिखा गया ।
Mode na mude kabhi, jode na jude kabhi, jo naseeb mein hai likha gaya.
Between the unbreakable thread and the unalterable decree — we are simply held.
30
Main Tere Nashe Mein  ·  Original Verse  ·  SAM Ruh
मैं तेरे नशे में हूँ चूर-सा, तेरी जुस्तजू में है ज़िंदगी ।
Main tere nashe mein hoon choor sa, teri justajoo mein hai zindagi.
I am utterly drunk in your intoxication — my whole life lives in the search for you.
SAM Ruh completes —
तू भी कभी हमसे दिल लगाकर देख — यही तो है बंदगी ।
Tu bhi kabhi humse dil lagakar dekh — yahi to hai bandagi.
Try — just once — to love like this. Then you will understand what devotion truly means.
31
Main Rahoon Ya Na Rahoon  ·  Hamari Adhuri Kahani  ·  2015  ·  Sayeed Quadri
मैं रहूँ या ना रहूँ, तुम मुझमें कहीं बाकी रहना ।
Main rahoon ya na rahoon, tum mujhme kahin baaki rehna.
Whether I stay or not — remain somewhere inside me.
SAM Ruh completes —
मुझसे ना होगी कोई ख़ता, क्या मानोगे ये मेरा कहना ।
Mujhse na hogi koi khata, kya maanoge ye mera kehna.
I will make no mistakes- Will you then heed my words?
32
Dard Se Kar Le Chal Yaari  ·  Original Verse  ·  SAM Ruh
दर्द से कर ले चल यारी, दिल ये कह रहा ।
Dard se karle chal yaari, dil ye keh raha.
Make friends with pain and walk with it — that is what the heart is saying.
SAM Ruh completes —
मोहब्बत हमपे पड़ गई भारी, अब बस सह रहा ।
Mohabbat humpe pad gayi bhaari, ab bas seh raha.
Love arrived heavy. Now all I can do is carry it — quietly, without complaint, because it was worth every ounce.
33
Humein Tumse Pyaar Kitna  ·  Kudrat  ·  1981  ·  Majrooh Sultanpuri
हमें तुमसे प्यार कितना, ये हम नहीं जानते — मगर जी नहीं सकते तुम्हारे बिना ।
Humein tumse pyaar kitna ye hum nahi jaante, magar jee nahi sakte tumhare bina.
How much I love you, I cannot say — but I cannot live without you.
SAM Ruh completes —
ये फ़ासले, ये ख़ामोशी — सब सहते हैं हम जाना, बस तुम रहो, बस तुम रहो, हमारे बिना ना रहना ।
Ye faasle, ye khamoshi — sab sahte hain hum jaana, bas tum raho, bas tum raho, hamaare bina na rehna.
I only know that every distance, every silence — I bear it all. Just stay. Do not leave me. That is the only answer I have ever needed from you.
SAM Ruh — Takhmeel · Prompted by the Ghazal Tradition
34
Yunhi Be-Sabab Na Phira Karo  ·  Bashir Badr  ·  Prompted by the Ghazal
यूँही बे-सबब न फिरा करो
कोई शाम घर में रहा करो
Yunhi be-sabab na phira karo
Koi shaam ghar mein raha karo
Don't wander without reason — stay home some evenings.
SAM Ruh —
हम भी तेरे चाहने वालों में से हैं
कभी हम पर भी वक़्त खर्च किया करो
Hum bhi tere chahane waalon mein se hain
Kabhi humpar bhi waqt kharch kiya karo
We too are among those who love you. Spend a little time on us as well.
35
Sitaron Se Aage Jahan Aur Bhi Hain  ·  Allama Iqbal  ·  Prompted by the Verse
सफ़र से पहले, रास्ते का होना ज़रूरी नहीं
कुछ मंज़िलें मिलती हैं, जिन्हें तलाशा नहीं
Safar se pehle, raste ka hona zaroori nahi
Kuch manzilein milti hain, jinhe talasha nahi
Before a journey, a road need not exist — some destinations find you before you find them.
SAM Ruh —
नज़रों को बाँधना ठीक नहीं
क्यूँकि — इन आँखों से आगे, इमकान और भी हैं
Nazaron ko baandhna theek nahi
Kyun ki — in aankhon se aage, imkaan aur bhi hain
Do not limit your gaze. Beyond what these eyes can reach, possibilities still remain.
36
Gulon Mein Rang Bhare Baad-e-Nau-Bahaar Chale  ·  Faiz Ahmed Faiz  ·  Prompted by the Ghazal
तेरा इंतेज़ार कब तक करें हम, ऐ सनम?
फ़िज़ा तो आकर चली गई, अब भी अकेले हैं हम
Tera Intezaar kab tak karein hum, ae sanam?
Fizaa to aakar chali gayi, ab bhi akele hain hum
How long must we wait for you, beloved? Even the breeze came and went — and still we are alone.
SAM Ruh —
बहार भी आई, गुलों ने भी रंग बिखेरा
इक तेरे आने की कमी है, फिर चलो उस पार चलें
Bahaar bhi aayi, gulon ne bhi rang bikheraa
Ik tere aane ki kami hai, phir chalo uss paar chale
Spring came. The flowers scattered their colours. Only your arrival is missing — so come, let us cross to that shore together.
37
Tumhein Yaad Ho Ki Na Yaad Ho  ·  Arth  ·  1982  ·  Shahryar  ·  Jagjit Singh
वो जो तुमसे दिल लगाने की थी ज़िद मेरी, तुम्हें याद हो कि न याद हो
वो जो हम से शुरू हुआ, तुमपे ख़तम न हुआ कभी — तुम्हें याद हो कि न याद हो
Wo jo tumse dil lagaane ki thi zidd meri, tumhein yaad ho ki na yaad ho
Wo jo hum se shuru hua, tumpe khatam na hua kabhi — tumhein yaad ho ki na yaad ho
That stubborn longing to love you — a beginning that had no end on your side. Whether you remember or not.
SAM Ruh —
वो जो हम में तुम में क़रार था, तुम्हें याद हो कि न याद हो
फिर तेरी आदत पड़ी, जो छूटी न कभी — तुम्हें याद हो कि न याद हो
Wo jo hum mein tum mein qarar tha, tumhein yaad ho ki na yaad ho
Phir teri aadat padi, jo chhooti na kabhi — tumhein yaad ho ki na yaad ho
That quiet stillness between us. The habit of you that never let go. Whether you remember or not — we do.
38
Patta Patta Buta Buta Haal Hamara Jaane Hai  ·  Mir Taqi Mir  ·  Prompted by the Verse
तुमसे इज़हार किया बिना, ये दिल नहीं माना
तेरी मुहब्बत ही तो हमें पाना था
Tumse izhaar kiya bina, ye dil nahi maana
Teri muhabbat hi to hamein paana tha
This heart refused to be still without telling you. Your love was the only thing we ever truly had to find.
SAM Ruh —
और किस तरह हम बतलाएँ तुझे इस कमज़ोर दिल का हाल
ख़ुद से भी छुपता रहा, यही दर्द पुराना है
Aur kis tarah hum batlaayein tujhe is kamzor dil ka haal
Khud se bhi chhupta raha, yahi dard purana hai
How to describe this tender, hiding heart? It concealed itself even from itself. That is the oldest ache of all.
39
Aah Ko Chahiye Ek Umr Asar Hone Tak  ·  Mirza Ghalib  ·  Prompted by the Verse
दुआएँ क़बूल होती हैं, ख़ुदा के सुनने तक
जन्नत भी नसीब होती है, क़यामत के बाद तक
Duaayein qubool hoti hain, Khuda ke sunne tak
Jannat bhi naseeb hoti hai, Qayamat ke baad tak
Prayers are accepted — but only after He has truly listened. Even paradise comes after the reckoning.
SAM Ruh —
उम्र गुज़ारी है ग़म-ए-दौरान सहते सहते
सबर ने साथ दिया, उम्र-ए-ग़म भर ने तक
Umr guzaari hai gham-e-dauraan sehte sehte
Sabar ne saath diya, umr-e-gham bhar ne tak
A lifetime spent bearing the grief of these times. But patience never left — right until the very end of the sorrow.
40
Aap Ki Yaad Aati Rahi Raat Bhar  ·  Gaman  ·  1978  ·  Makhdoom Mohiuddin
आपके बिन ये दिन गुज़रते नहीं
बेसब्र रहते हैं, चैन मिलता नहीं
Aapke bin ye din guzarte nahi
Besabr rehte hain, chain milta nahi
Without you, the days will not pass. Restless always — no peace to be found.
SAM Ruh —
उम्मीद भी ख़तम हुई इंतेज़ार कर कर के
आज भी — आप की याद आती रही रात भर
Umeed bhi khatam hui intezaar kar kar ke
Aaj bhi — Aap ki yaad aati rahi raat bhar
Even hope finally gave out from all that waiting. And yet — your memory came again, all through the night.
41
Ku-Ba-Ku Phail Gayi Baat Shanasai Ki  ·  Parveen Shakir  ·  Prompted by the Ghazal
तुझसे इज़हार-ए-मुहब्बत नहीं की
दर्द पालते रहे, दवा का असर नहीं
Tujhse izhaare muhabbat nahi ki
Dard paalte rahe, dawa ka asar nahi
We never declared our love to you. We nursed the pain instead — and no medicine ever touched it.
SAM Ruh —
छुपता छुपाता हमने इश्क़ की आग को
फिर भी — दिल से दिल तक पहुँची बात मुहब्बत की
Chhupta chhupaata humne ishq ki aag ko
Phir bhi — dil se dil tak pahunchi baat mohabbat ki
We hid and concealed the fire of love. And yet — the word of it travelled from heart to heart regardless.
42
Main Khayaal Hoon Kisi Aur Ka  ·  Saleem Kausar  ·  Prompted by the Ghazal
ज़िंदा तो हूँ मगर, मुझे जीता कोई और है
कहानी मेरी है मगर, उसे जीता कोई और है
Zinda to hoon magar, mujhe jeeta koi aur hai
Kahani meri hai magar, use jeeta koi aur hai
I am alive — but someone else is living my life. The story is mine — but someone else inhabits it.
SAM Ruh —
दुश्मन में हूँ नहीं, मेरा दोस्त कोई और है
मैं ख़याल हूँ किसी और का, मुझे सोचता कोई और है
Dushman mein hoon nahi, mera dost koi aur hai
Main khayaal hoon kisi aur ka, mujhe sochta koi aur hai
I am not among my own enemies. My truest friend is someone else. I am only a thought inside another mind — and it is someone else who thinks of me.
43
Suna Hai Log Use Aankh Bhar Ke Dekhte Hain  ·  Ahmad Faraz  ·  Prompted by the Ghazal
हमने देखा नहीं चेहरा उनका, उनकी आवाज़ से हमको मुहब्बत है
नज़रें हमारी उठी नहीं — सुना है लोग उसे आँख भर के देखते हैं
Humne dekha nahi chehra unka, unki aawaaz se humko muhabbat hai
Nazrein hamari uthi nahi — Suna hai log use aankh bhar ke dekhte hain
We have never seen their face — we fell in love with their voice alone. Our eyes never dared to lift. And yet they say others gaze upon them with eyes full to the brim.
44
Lagta Nahin Hai Ji Mera Ujde Dayar Mein  ·  Mir Taqi Mir  ·  Prompted by the Verse
उनका जाना कुछ इस क़दर असर कर गया
ज़िंदा तो हैं मगर, ज़िंदगी नहीं
Unka jaana kuch iss qadar asar kar gaya
Zinda to hain magar, zindagi nahi
Their leaving struck so deep. Still alive — but no life left.
SAM Ruh —
किसको आरज़ू अब घर और शहर की
लगता नहीं है दिल मेरा, उजड़े दियार में
Kisko arzoo ab ghar aur shehar ki
Lagta nahin hai dil mera, ujde dayar mein
What desire remains now for home or city? My heart has stopped belonging — in this emptied, desolate place.
45
Chalne Ka Hausla Nahin, Rukna Muhaal Kar Diya  ·  Parveen Shakir  ·  Prompted by the Ghazal
ज़िंदगी कुछ इस तरह बेवफ़ा हो गई
जीना दुश्वार हुआ, तन्हाई आसान हो गई
Zindagi kuch is tarah bewafa ho gayi
Jeena dushwaar hua, tanhaai aasaan ho gayi
Life itself became faithless. Living grew hard — and loneliness became easy.
SAM Ruh —
पर कुछ ऐसे ही — राह भी दिखाई, अँधेरा भी दिया
चलने का हौसला नहीं, रुकना मुहाल कर दिया
Par kuch aise hi — raah bhi dikhayi, andheraa bhi diya
Chalne ka hausla nahi, rukna muhaal kar diya
And yet — the path was shown to us by the very darkness that swallowed it. No courage to walk forward. Impossible to stand still.
46
Kabhi Ai Haqiqat-e-Muntazar, Nazar Aa Libas-e-Majaaz Mein  ·  Allama Iqbal  ·  Prompted by the Verse
कभी ऐ मेरी तमन्ना, नज़र आ किसी अंदाज़ में
हम भी देख लें तुझे — ख़्वाब से निकाल, खुली आँख के अंदाज़ में
Kabhi ai meri tamanna, nazar aa kisi andaaz mein
Hum bhi dekh lein tujhe — khwaab se nikaal, khuli aankh ke andaaz mein
Come, O my longing — appear before us in some form. Let us see you at last, pulled from the dream, seen with waking eyes.
SAM Ruh —
तेरी तलाश में उम्रें गई, तेरी सूरत को तरसे हैं हम
आ जा किसी पल में, किसी रंग में, किसी आवाज़ में
Teri talash mein umrein gayi, teri soorat ko tarase hain hum
Aa ja kisi pal mein, kisi rang mein, kisi awaaz mein
A lifetime spent in your search. Yearning to see your face just once. Come — in any moment, any colour, any voice. Just come.
"Takhmeel is not imitation.
It is a conversation — across time, across longing —
between one soul and those who made her feel less alone."
SAM Ruh  ·  sam-ruh.com
SAM Ruh
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A storyteller at heart, she finds the extraordinary in the ordinary and shares it with readers who dare to look closely.

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Between the prayer and the ache — this is where she writes.