Ye baatain jhooti baatain hain

Ibne Insha has been my first introduction to literature - an all time most favourite poet, not only for his unmistakable canny-ness with words to explain the complexities of human heart but also for the enviable deftness with which he did so; One can always count on the tenderness in his verse to pluck at the heart strings like the fingers of a trained violinist. His solitude drenched in passion, and innocence peeping through that longing cascaded as just another perplexity, do little but to endear him to any dreamer. Insha's poise and spontaneity is yet to find any rival, for he truly is a master of flow.

Ye Baatain Jhooti Baatain Hain, is a lovely gem by the great poet and bears his same signature: ease and sensitivity. 




yeh batain jhooti batain hain, yeh logon nay phelai hain 

tum insha ji ka naam na lo, kia insha ji saudaaii hain??? 


These words are untrue tales, all rumoured by the folks
Why name the sweet Insha, nay you find him sane?

hain lakhoon rog zamanay main, kion ishq hai ruswa baychara 

hain aur bhi wajhain wehshat ki, insan ko rakhti dukhiara

haan baykal baykal rehta hai, ho peet main jis nay jii hara 

per shaam say lay kar subh talak yoon kon phiray ga awaara??? 

yeh batain jhooti batain hain, yeh logon nay phelai hain 

tum insha ji ka naam na lo, kia insha ji saudaaii hain??? 


With hundreds of plagues widespread, why blame the stricken love alone
Anguish could have many names, that stack the ache borne
True restless strays the one, whose heart burnt by the flame of love
If not him, who would fritter away, from sun down till dawn?
These words are untrue tales, all rumoured by the folks,
Why name the sweet Insha, nay you find him sane?

yeh baat ajeeb sunatay ho, wo duniya say bay aass huay
ik naam suna aur ghash khaya, ik zikr pay aap udaass huay
wo ilm main aflatoon sunay, wo sher main tulsi daas huay
wo tees baras kay hotay hain, wo B.A. M.A. paas huay
yeh batain jhooti batain hain, yeh logon nay phelai hain 

tum insha ji ka naam na lo, kia insha ji saudaaii hain??? 


What you tell is so strange, he has lost the hope to pursue
That one name and he turns cold, one mention and he goes blue
A Plato of knowledge, a giant of arts
30 seasons has he seen, with feathers in his cap
These words are untrue tales, all rumoured by the folks
Why name the sweet Insha, nay you find him sane?

gar ishq kia hai tab kia hai? kion shaad nahi abaad nahi?

jo jaan liay bin tal na sakay, yeh aisi bhi uftaad nahi
yay baat tu tum bhi mano gay, wo Qais nahi Farhaad nahi
kia hijr ka daro mushkil hai? kia visl kay nuskhay yaad nahi???
yeh batain jhooti batain hain, yeh logon nay phelai hain 

tum insha ji ka naam na lo, kia insha ji saudaaii hain??? 

What's wrong if he did love? Why is there joy and bliss naught?
That only seeks to knock off, this could be such havoc naught!
This you too won't question, some Qais or Farhaad he is naught
Is parting a hard brew? Are there concoctions of union naught?
These words are untrue tales, all rumoured by the folks
Why name the sweet Insha, nay you find him sane?

jo hum se kaho hum kartay hain, kia insha ko samjhana hai???

uss larki se bhi keh len gay, goh ab kuch aur zamana hai
ya chorain, ya takmeel karain, ye ishq hai ya afsaana hai???
ye kaisa gorakh dhanda, hai ye kaisa tana bana hai???
ye batain kaisi batain hain, jo logon nay phelai hain???

tum insha ji ka naam na lo, kia insha ji saudaaii hain???

Can do what you ask, is sweet Insha to be clued in?
May even ask that damsel, though the times are same naught
To yield, or to conclude, if this is some flame and a tale naught?
An enigma it seems, a maze so tangled!
These words are untrue tales, all rumoured by the folks
Why name the sweet Insha, nay you find him sane?

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