I came across this ghazal the other day, Hum Dekhain Gay (We shall see) by Faiz Ahmed Faiz sung by Iqbal Bano. There is such pure intensity in the words, I loved it.
Here is a version on YouTube.
Full song can be downloaded from here too.
Translation by Ayesha Kaljuvee:
Hum Dekhain Gay
We shall see
Lazim Hai ke hum Bhi Dekhain Gay
It is necessary that we shall also see
Woh Din ke Jis ka Wadah Hai
That day which has been promised
Jo Loh-e-Azl pe Likha hai
Which is written with God's ink
Hum Dekhain Gay
We shall see
Jab Zulm-o-Sitam ke Koh-e-garaan
When the mountains of cruelty and torture
Ruii ki Tarah Urd Jain Gay
Will fly like pieces of cotton
Hum Mehkumoon ke Paun Talay
Under the feet of the governed
Yeh Dharti Dhard Dhard Dhardkay gi
This earth will quake
Aur Ehl-e-Hukum ke Sar Uper
And over the head of the ruler
Jab Bijli kard Kard Kardke gi
When lightening will thunder
Hum Dekhain Gay
We shall see
Jab Arz-e-Khuda ke kabay se
When from God's Mecca
Sab but Uthwaaiy Jain gay
All the idols will be shattered
Hum Ehl-e-Safa Mardood-e-Haram
Us people standing in the mosque
Masnad pe Bithaaiy jain gay
Will be elevated to a higher platform
Sab Taaj Uchalay jain gay
All the crowns will be tossed
Sab Takht Giraaiy Jain gay
All the thrones will be toppled
Bas Naam rahay Ga Allah ka
Then only God's name will remain
Jo Ghayab Bhi hai Hazir Bhi
Who is both absent and present
Jo nazir bhi hai manzar bhi
Who is both the observer and the view itself
Uthay ga Analhaq ka Naara
When the anthem of truth will be raised
Jo Main bhi Hun aur Tumbhi ho
Who I am and you are as well
Aur Raaj karay gi khalq-e-Khuda
And the people of God will reign
Jo main bhi hun aur tum bhi ho
Who I am and you are as well
We shall see
Lazim Hai ke hum Bhi Dekhain Gay
It is necessary that we shall also see
Hum Dekhain Gay
We shall see
I am not familiar with Faiz Ahmed Faiz as a poet. Not very familiar with ghazals/Urdu poetry/Urdu literature as a whole. Things happened in such a way, that I got farther and farther away from Urdu. I feel that I am losing myself in this process, of forgetting, losing my bearings. A sense of the external world.
I suppose I should start reading some of the works, as my brother never fails to tell me. I really should. Losing, have lost, so much.
4 comments:
An extremely impressive blog i must say.
Yes, DO read Faiz. Urdu poetry is very rich. It is very expressive and meaningful, and sounds way more pleasant than english, and i strongly believe that this is not just my opinion.
Your comment at my blog means a lot to me. :)
Thanks wqah.
Yes, I definitely will. Will start looking around for his books etc.
never read this post until today..
i hve been listening to this ghazal since long, only coz my bro used to listen to it.
just that now, in a few years i have been able to appreciate what it says, thuogh of course not fully.
and even i am amused, a 10 year old listening to faiz? hmm :)
Yes, it is pretty moving isn't it?
Yes, a 10-year old. Especially interesting since the other cousins in the 10-13 age bracket were suppressing giggles at the ghazal, you know the usual reaction when children are listening to music of this sort.
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