"Jantra" (tool) is the result of an intense and satisfying printmaking workshop with Shahid Kabir held at UODA on May 30th/31st ( extended later for another 10 days ). Having completed the previous workshop just a week before gave me a headstart and it was exciting to take the learning a step further.

There is an exibition, Kormoshala Chapchitra Pradarshini, of the work produced at the workshop at Gallery Chitrak for a week, starting June 13th, 2008.

Update : July 17th, 2008 : I had been told during the exhibition that a buyer had booked my print but was waiting for a confirmation. Today I met the Gallery owner and he handed me the money from the sale. Thrilling I must admit. It is the first time that I have had money in hand from a sale.  This brings the count of work sold to 3. Starting November this year, I shall begin a concerted effort to sell my work online.

And if you want to know a bit more about 4 printmaking techniques - etching, woodcut, lithography and screen print, check out the excellent step-by-step animated demo provided by MoMA.

अभी दिला रहा हुँ यकीन-ए-वफ़ा मगर,
मेरा ना एतबार करो, मैं नशे मे हुँ,

गिरने दो तुम मुझे मेरा सागर सम्भाल लो,
इतना तो मेरे यार करो, मैं नशे मे हुँ,

मुझको कदम कदम पे भटकने दो आज दोस्त,
तुम अपना करोबार करो, मैं नशे मे हुँ,

फ़िर बेखुदी में हद से गुजर ने लगा हुँ मैं,
इतना ना मुझ से प्यार करो ,मैं नशे मे हुँ,

Lyrics: Shahid Kabir
Singer: Jagjit Singh

The translation of this ghazal has been requested by Bachodi, I am posting this ghazal and working on the translation. I enjoyed the last sher, a thing can be enjoyed thoroughly without disturbing the natural routine.

***
Besabab baat badhaane ki zaroorat kya hai,
hum khafa kab the manaane ki zaroorat kya hai.

Aapke dum se to duniya ka bharam hai kaayam,
aap jab hein to zamaane ki zaroorat kya hai.

Tera kucha, tera dar, teri gali kaafi hai,
be-thikano ko thikane ki zaroorat kya hai.

Dil se milne ki tamanna hi nahi jab dil mein,
haath se haath milaane ki zaroorat kya hai.

Rang aankhon ke liye boo hai damaagon ke liye,
phool ko haath lagaane ki zaroorat kya hai.
***
बेसबब बात बढाने की ज़रूरत क्या है,
हम खफा कब थे मनाने की ज़रूरत क्या है.

आपके दम से तो दुनीया का भरम है कायम,
आप जब हैं तो ज़माने की ज़रूरत क्या है.

तेरा कूचा, तेरा दर, तेरी गली काफी है,
बे-ठिकानों को ठिकाने कि ज़रूरत क्या है.

दील से मीलने की तमन्ना ही नही जब दील में,
हाथ से हाथ मीलाने की ज़रूरत क्या है.

रंग आंखों के लिए बू है दमागों के लिए,
फूल को हाथ लगाने की ज़रूरत क्या है.
***
बेसबब /besabab=without reason
कूचा/kucha=street,lane
दर/dar=gate,entrance
बू/boo=fragrance
दमाग/damag=mind,brain

Seeing the spirit of Nidhi, I post this ghazal to the complementary to her post about Indians . Most of , almost all ordinary people , want to live peacefully , and concerened with their lives. A few opportunists provoke the emotions of people to for their own benefits. This ghazal voice their voices.

***
Mein na hindu na musalman mujhe jeene do,
dosti hai mera imaan mujhe jeene do.

Koi ehsaaN na karo mujhpe to ehsaaN hoga,
sirf itna karo ehsaan mujhe jeene do.

Sabke dookh dard ko apna samajh ke jeena,
bas yahi hai mera armaaN muJhe jeene do

Log hote hain jo hairan mere jeene se ,
log hote rahe hairan mujhe jeene do.
***
में ना हिन्दू न मुसलमान मुझे जीने दो,
दोस्ती है मेरा इमान मुझे जीने दो.

कोई एहसान न करो मुझपे तो एहसान होगा,
सिर्फ इतना करो एहसान मुझे जीने दो.

सबके दूख दर्द को अपना समझ के जीना,
बस यही है मेरा अरमान मुझे जीने दो

लोग होते हैं जो हैरान मेरे जीने से ,
लोग होते रहे हैरान मुझे जीने दो.
***