On a somewhat different note than usual, I am compelled to note Manzar Bhopali's commentary on the times. Manzar's forte is his ability to have a finger on the pulse of the people - touching upon the issues of the day, conveyed often through simple words using popular imagery. His mellifluous recitations always add a haunting effect- listen to this one here (third link). I have transcribed and translated one part of the poem below.
Bum Ko Kya Maaloom?
[By Manzar Bhopali]
Koi bhi mehfooz nahi hai, phoot rahe hain bum
Jaane kab ho jaaye kisi ka taara raara rum
Kaun hai hindu kaun musalmaan bum ko kya maaloom
Kaun hai sindhi kaun muhaajir bum ko kya maaloon
Aashiq ho, mehbooba ho, ya ho koi maasoom- bum ko kya maaloom
Bum kya jaane rishte naate, bum kya jaane ghum
Jaane kab ho jaaye kisi ka taara raara rum
What Does a Bomb Know?
[Translated from the Urdu by Siyaah]
No one is safe, all around burst bombs-
Who knows when anyone of us will be gone?
Who is a hindu, who is a muslim - what does a bomb know?
Who is a native, who is an immigrant - what does a bomb know? [1]
A lover, a beloved or an innocent - what does a bomb know?
What does a bomb know of relationships and friendships - what does a bomb know of grief?
Who knows when anyone of us will be gone?
[1] I have used the general word 'native' to contrast with 'immigrant' - the use of 'sindhi' and 'muhaajir' in the original points towards one of the post-partition problems of South Asia - the integration problems of immigrants in Pakistan, but the theme is general.
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2 comments:
Nice thoughts. Explosives are feelingless, so are the people who deploy them for mass killings.
Bringing the most contemporary concerns into poetry isn't always easy - I like the way Manzar is able to do this in a few works.
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