yuuñ dekh na be-kār kā kaTh-putlī tamāshā
is daur-e-fusūñ-kār kā kaTh-putlī tamāshā

is shahr kā har jhūTā ḳhudā dekh rahā hai
haqdār kī dastār kā kaTh-putlī tamāshā

mat pūchh hai kal raat se takrār kī zad meñ
tasvīr se dīvār kā kaTh-putlī tamāshā

pāzeb kī jhankār pe ab ḳhuub sajegā
im-shām bhī bāzār kā kaTh-putlī tamāshā

ḳhāmosh nahīñ ḳhuun meñ shiddat se ravāñ hai
maqtal meñ abhī daar kā kaTh-putlī tamāshā

aurat kī kahānī ho ki 'rāhib' kā fasāna
fankār hai kirdār kā kaTh-putlī tamāshā

yun dekh na be-kar ka kaTh-putli tamasha
is daur-e-fusun-kar ka kaTh-putli tamasha

is shahr ka har jhuTa KHuda dekh raha hai
haqdar ki dastar ka kaTh-putli tamasha

mat puchh hai kal raat se takrar ki zad mein
taswir se diwar ka kaTh-putli tamasha

pazeb ki jhankar pe ab KHub sajega
im-sham bhi bazar ka kaTh-putli tamasha

KHamosh nahin KHun mein shiddat se rawan hai
maqtal mein abhi dar ka kaTh-putli tamasha

aurat ki kahani ho ki 'rahib' ka fasana
fankar hai kirdar ka kaTh-putli tamasha