Persian · noun · Nature & the Garden
Lala-zaar
लालाज़ार
said laa-laa-ZAAR
also written: Laalazaar
Meaning
A field of tulips; a tract ablaze with red tulip-blossom.
Literally: tulip-place
How Iqbal uses it
The lala-zaar is one of Iqbal's most loved landscapes, the tulip's red flame spread across a hillside standing for passion, martyrdom, and the self-kindled heart. The blooming wilderness is the soul on fire with longing.
See it in the verse
Lala-zaar 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
Khudi ko na de seem-o-zar ke ewaz
Nahin shola dete sharar ke ewaz
Nahin shola dete sharar ke ewaz
Do not trade away your selfhood for silver and gold — no one hands over a blazing flame in exchange for a mere spark.
Selfhood · Freedom · Courage
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