su-e-kalkatta jo hum ba-dil-e-diwana chale

sū-e-kalkatta jo ham ba-dil-e-dīvāna chale

gungunāte hue ik shoḳh kā afsāna chale

shahr-e-salmā hai sar-e-rāh ghaTā.eñ hamrāh

sāqiyā aaj to daur-e-mai-o-paimāna chale

is tarah rail ke hamrāh ravāñ hai bādal

saath jaise koī uḌtā huā mai-ḳhāna chale

shahr-e-jānāñ meñ utarne kī thī ham par qadġhan

yuuñ chale jaise koī shahr se begāna chale

garche tanhā the magar un ke tasavvur ke nisār

apne ham-rāh liye ek parī-ḳhāna chale

khel ummīd ke dekho ki na kī un ko ḳhabar

phir bhī ham muntazir-e-jalva-e-jānāna chale

un kā paiġhām na laa.e hoñ ye rañgīñ bādal

varna kyuuñ saath mire be-ḳhud o mastāna chale

ghar se ba-ishrat-e-shāhāna ham aa.e the magar

un ke kūche se chale jab to faqīrāna chale

bādalo ḳhidmat-e-salmā meñ ye kah do jā kar

ki tire shahr meñ ham aa ke ġharībāna chale

hasrat o shauq ke aalam meñ chale yuuñ 'aḳhtar'

muskurātā huā jaise koī dīvāna chale

su-e-kalkatta jo hum ba-dil-e-diwana chale

gungunate hue ek shoKH ka afsana chale

shahr-e-salma hai sar-e-rah ghaTaen hamrah

saqiya aaj to daur-e-mai-o-paimana chale

is tarah rail ke hamrah rawan hai baadal

sath jaise koi uDta hua mai-KHana chale

shahr-e-jaanan mein utarne ki thi hum par qadghan

yun chale jaise koi shahr se begana chale

garche tanha the magar un ke tasawwur ke nisar

apne ham-rah liye ek pari-KHana chale

khel ummid ke dekho ki na ki un ko KHabar

phir bhi hum muntazir-e-jalwa-e-jaanana chale

un ka paigham na lae hon ye rangin baadal

warna kyun sath mere be-KHud o mastana chale

ghar se ba-ishrat-e-shahana hum aae the magar

un ke kuche se chale jab to faqirana chale

baadalo KHidmat-e-salma mein ye kah do ja kar

ki tere shahr mein hum aa ke gharibana chale

hasrat o shauq ke aalam mein chale yun 'aKHtar'

muskuraata hua jaise koi diwana chale