Top 10 Shayari by Dagh Dehlvi: Discover Why His Words Still Touch Our Souls

 Dagh Dehlvi  (1831-1905), the maestro of Urdu poetry, had a magical way of weaving emotions into words. His Shayari captures the raw essence of love, heartbreak, and longing, resonating deeply with hearts even today. As a descendant of the line of  Mughal emperors, the wisdom due to changes in the subcontinent is obvious in his poetry. He wrote on religion and social norms too. With timeless elegance and heartfelt simplicity, his verses continue to touch souls across generations. His fame is due to his simple poetry with deep and sophisticated meanings, understandable by all and resonating with everyone.

Top 10 Shayari by Dagh Dehlvi: Discover Why His Words Still Touch Our Souls, Why Is He Famous?

     1. Urdu hai Jis ka Naam

Original:                   urdu hai jis ka naam hamin jante hain 'Dagh'

                                   Hindostan men dhuum hamari zaban ki hai

English:                    One named Urdu, is only known by us, 'Dagh',

                                   In Hindustan, there is the fame of our tongue

Explanation: 

Dagh Dehlvi takes pride in the richness of the Urdu language, celebrating its cultural significance in India. He asserts that only those who truly understand the depth of Urdu can appreciate its beauty, making it a language that holds a unique place in the hearts of its speakers.     

               

     2. Tumhara Dil Mere Dil ke Barabar

Original:                   tumhara dil mere dil ke barabar ho nahin sakta

vo shisha ho nahin sakta ye patthar ho nahin sakta

English:                         Your heart can never be equal to mine,

                              That can't become glass, This can't become stone

Explanation:

In this powerful verse, Dagh uses the metaphor of glass and stone to express that no one's heart can ever match his own in terms of passion and depth. It speaks to the profound and unmatched intensity of his emotions, highlighting the unique connection he feels.

     3. Tumhe bhi yaad hai kuch ye Kalam kiska tha

vafa karenge nibahenge baat manenge

tumhen bhi yaad hai kuch ye kalam kis ka tha

English:                             We will stay true, we will abide,

                                  You too remember, whose words these were?

Explanation:

Here, Dagh invites the listener to remember the origins of timeless words. He suggests that true love and loyalty, like poetry, transcend time, leaving an everlasting impact. This verse speaks to the enduring power of words that continue to bind hearts, even long after they are spoken. These verses present factors of separation and longing.

      4. Hum Dekhne walon ki Nazar Dekh rahe Hain

sab log jidhar vo hain udhar dekh rahe hain

ham dekhne valon ki nazar dekh rahe hain

English:               Wherever he is, everyone is looking that way,

                       We are watching through the eyes of those who are looking

Explanation:

Dagh reflects on the power of perception. While others might look at the world through a surface lens, he sees beyond the obvious, finding meaning in the way people observe and experience the world. It’s a celebration of deep insight and the art of truly understanding what we see.

      5. Gul Kar Do in Charaghon Ko

shab-e-visāl hai gul kar do in charāġhoñ ko

ḳhushī kī bazm meñ kyā kaam jalne vāloñ kā

English:                   It's the night of union, extinguish these lamps,

                 What’s the purpose of someone burning (jealous) in the gathering of joy?

Explanation:

In this verse, Dagh urges for the extinguishing of jealousy and negativity in times of union and happiness. He speaks of purifying love by removing bitterness, reminding us that moments of joy should remain untainted by the shadows of envy.

      6. Bohot Si Khubiyan thin Marne Wale Main

ḳhabar sun kar mere marne ki vo bole raqibon se

ḳhuda baḳhshe bahut si ḳhubiyan thin marne vaale men

English:               On hearing the news of my death, they said to the rivals,

                    God bless him, there were many virtues in the one who passed away.

Explanation:

Dagh poignantly reflects on the virtues of a person that are often only recognized after their death. The verse underscores the human tendency to appreciate greatness only in hindsight, adding a bittersweet layer to the idea of legacy and posthumous recognition.

      7. Jo log kuch Nahi Karte Kamal Karte hain

hazaron kaam mohabbat mein hain maze ke 'dagh'

jo log kuch nahin karte kamal karte hain

English:                     In love, thousands of acts are interesting, 'Dagh',

                                       Those who do nothing, they do the best

..

Explanation:

This shayari highlights the paradox of greatness. Dagh suggests that those who seem passive or aloof often achieve the most extraordinary things. Their quietness hides immense power, reminding us that true brilliance doesn’t always need to be loud or flashy.

      8. Chahne Vaala Bari Muskil Sai Milta Hai

milate ho usi ko ḳhaak mein jo dil se milta hai

miri jaan chahne vaala bari mushkil se milta hai

English:                  You waste him, one who meets you from the heart,

                              My beloved, The one who loves is very hard to find

Explanation:

Dagh speaks to the rarity and preciousness of genuine love. He likens it to a rare treasure, difficult to find but worth every effort. This verse captures the essence of how true affection is a rarity, making it all the more meaningful when it’s found.

       9. Kam-bakht ko kis waqt Khuda yaad aya

di shab-e-vasl moazzin ne azaan pichhli raat

haaye kam-baḳht ko kis vaqt ḳhuda yaad aya

English:            On the night of union, the muezzin called for prayer after midnight

                                  Oh, wretched one, at what time did God cross his mind?

Explanation:

With a touch of sarcasm, Dagh criticizes those who only turn to God in times of need. He questions when these individuals truly remembered God, portraying a sense of disillusionment with people who seek spirituality only in moments of desperation.

      10. Jahan bajte hain Naqqare wahan Matam bhi Hote Hain

falak deta hai jin ko aish un ko gham bhi hote hain

jahan bajte hain naqqare vahan matam bhi hota hai

English:              If the sky gives pleasure to someone, they also feel sorrow,

                                  Where the drums sound, Mourning occurs there too

.

Explanation: Dagh eloquently captures the bittersweet nature of life in this verse. He reminds us that where there is joy, sorrow can also be found. The verse reflects on the duality of human experience, where celebrations and mourning coexist, illustrating the complexity of emotions in life. It also captures an answer for the fall of the Mughals.

Note: These explanations are based on the most popping meaning of the listed Shayari of Dagh Dhalvi. A Shayari can have different meanings and explanations for different people with different mindsets, understandings, and beliefs.