Janisar Akhtar's famous ghazal: Hamne chaha hai tumhein chahne walon ki tarah...

Eminent poet Janisar Akhtar was born in 1914 in Gwalior. His father Muztar Khairabadi was a well-known poet.

Akhtar studied in Aligarh where he first tasted fame as his verses were appreciated in the mushairas at the University.

हम से भागा न करो दूर गिज़ालों* की तरह
हम ने चाहा है तुम्हें चाहने वालों की तरह 

खुदबखुद नींद सी आँखों में घुली जाती है
महकी महकी है शब-ए-ग़म तेरे बालों की तरह

तेरे बिन रात के हाथों पे ये तारों के अयाग़***
खूबसूरत हैं मगर ज़हर के प्यालों की तरह

और क्या इस से ज़्यादा कोई नरमी बरतूं 
दिल के ज़ख्मों को छुआ है तेरे गालों की तरह 

गुनगुनाते हुए दर आ कभी सीनों में
तेरी खातिर जो महकते हैं शिवालों* की तरह

जाँनिसार अख्तर 

Now read the Roman transliteration:

hamse bhaagaa na karo duur GhizaaloN kii tarah
hamne chaahaa hai tumheN chaahne vaaloN kii tarah

Khud-ba-Khud niind sii aaNkhoN miiN ghulii jaatii hai
mahkii mahkii hai shab-e-Gham tere baaloN kii tarah

tere bin raat ke haathoN pe ye taaroN ke ayaaGh
Khuubsuurat haiN magar zeher ke pyaaloN kii tarah

aur kyaa is se zyaadah koii narmii bartuuN
dil ke zaKhmoN ko chhuaa hai tere gaaloN kii tarah

gungunaate hue dar aa kabhii in siinoN meN
terii Khaatir jo mahakte haiN shivaaloN kii tarah

Janisar Akhtar

Meanings of tough words

[*Ghizaal=gazelle, eyes of the deer used as metaphor for beautiful women, the quick movement of the gazelle or the bewilderment in the deer's eyes also expressed to describe a beautiful girl]
[**dar aa=step in, enter, walk in]
[***ayaaGh=wine cup] [*shivaloN=temples]

Apart from attaining popularity as an Urdu poet, Janisar Akhtar also wrote lyrics for commercially successful Bollywood movies. His son Javed Akhtar is also a well-known Urdu poet and lyricist.