Persian · adjective · Love & Longing
Laala-Rukh
लाला-रुख़
said laa-laa-rukh
also written: Lalarukh
Meaning
Tulip-cheeked; having a face glowing red like the tulip.
Literally: tulip-faced
How Iqbal uses it
Laala-rukh compares the bright flushed face to the red tulip; the tulip's burning centre also lends the image a note of the heart's scar.
See it in the verse
Laala-Rukh in Iqbal’s couplets
Jis se jigar-e-lala mein thandak ho wo shabnam
Dariyaon ke dil jis se dahal jayen wo toofan
Dariyaon ke dil jis se dahal jayen wo toofan
To be the dew that cools the heart of the tulip — and the storm that makes the hearts of rivers tremble.
Courage · Leadership · Love
Zameer-e-laala mein roshan charagh-e-aarzu kar de
Chaman ke zarre zarre ko shaheed-e-justuju kar de
Chaman ke zarre zarre ko shaheed-e-justuju kar de
Light the lamp of longing in the heart of the tulip — and make every grain of the garden a martyr to the search.
Aspiration · Hope · Restlessness
Main shakh-e-tak hun meri ghazal hai mera samar
Mere samar se mai-e-lala-fam paida kar
Mere samar se mai-e-lala-fam paida kar
I am a branch of the vine, my song is my fruit; from that fruit press out the tulip-red wine.
Action · Aspiration · Youth