Ghalib's "Na Tha Kuch To...": English version

by Crazyfinger

One particular Urdu poem by Mirza Ghalib is a special favorite of mine.  Here is my attempt at English translation.  Ralph Russell translated only first 4 lines or so in his book.  And who can not be transfixed by this wonderful television series...?  If someone can help fill the <missing two lines> I owe you one.   

First, the English transliteration:

Na tha kuch to khuda tha

kuch na hota to, khuda hota

Na tha kuch to khuda tha

kuch na hota to, khuda hota

duboya mujh ko hone ne

na hota mai to kya hota 

hua jab gham se yoo behis

to gham kya sar ke kat ne ka

na hota gar juda tan se 

to zaano par dhada hota

huyee muddat ke ghalib mar gaya par yaad aata hai

wo har ek bat par kehana ke yoo hota to kya hota

My English Rendering:

When nothing was, Almighty was

If no thing were, Almighty would have been

Becoming has drowned me

Had I not been, then what would be

When, as it is became lifeless like this by the suffering

Then what of the pain at the head's being cut off

<missing 2 lines>

Time being done, Ghalib passed away but comes back in memory

Saying everytime had it been this way then how it would have been

Comments

[Purnima]

Nice attempt! Looking forward for more.

[Tim Buck]

That Ghalib poem didn't do much for me. Seemed like standard-issue (or worse) gnostic blathering and effusion.

[Crazyfinger]

Tim - Very likely the translator's fault if it came across as "blathering and effusion." It's funny, your other comment on Anu's post was more allowing of experiences that one doesn't or didn't have. Then why this brushing off Ghalib I wonder. Perhaps you'd agree that labels such as "gnostic" etc., would've been quite strange to the poet himself. The Gulzar's TV series that I linked to did have Ghalib's character quite conscious of his poetry's stature, but I didn't get the sense he thought his was gnostic poetry, which I actually like.

Regards, Crazyfinger

[Crazyfinger]

I was told to be nice, be civil and say "hi" to first-time commenters. So, Purnima and Tim, "hi" :- ) and sorry if I sounded grumpy Tim...

Regards,
Crazyfinger