6 verses · ~1 min
ग़म छुपाते रहे मुस्कुराते रहे, महफ़िलों-महफ़िलों गुनगुनाते रहे
आँसुओं से लिखी दिल की तहरीर को फूल की पत्तियों से सजाते रहे
ग़ज़लें कुम्हला गईं नज़्में मुरझा गईं, गीत सँवला गये साज़ चुप हो गये
फिर भी अहल-ए-चमन कितने ख़ुशज़ौक़ थे नग़्मा-ए-फ़स्ल-ए-गुल गुनगुनाते रहे
तेरी साँसों की ख़ुशबू लबों की महक, जाने कैसे हवायें उड़ा लाईं थी
वक़्त का हर क़दम भी बहकता रहा ज़क़्त ले पाँव भी डगमगाते रहे
इति
Paired Painting
A Woman Playing a Tanpura
In the late eighteenth century, as the imperial center of Delhi faded, the flourishing court of Awadh in Lucknow emerged as a glorious sanctuary for artists, poets, and virtuoso musicians. This poignant painting evokes the soul of that golden era, capturing a refined female musician in a state of quiet contemplation. Her delicate fingers rest upon the wooden neck and green body of a tanpura, a drone instrument whose resonance grounds the intricate melodies of Indian classical music. Adorned in a vibrant saffron turban strung with pearls and precious rubies, she embodies the sophisticated aesthetic of courtly performers who were respected custodians of musical heritage. Her downcast, soul-searching eyes reveal that music for her is not merely performance, but a sacred pilgrimage of the spirit.
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