Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. munshi bishweshwar prasad munavvar lakhnavi (1897-1970). He was a scholar of arabi, faarsi, urdu, and hindi. His father, munshi dwarka prasad ufaq was also a great poet who recomposed the ramayan in urdu using the same qaafiya for more than 6000 ash’aar. He himself re-composed the bhagwad gita in chaste urdu. He credits urdu with “saving the hindu religion” because of the many translations of hindu religious texts into urdu because that was the language that more north Indian hindus could relate to, rather than avadhi or sanskrit. In the syncretic spirit of India (now lost) he composed odes and elegies to islamic religious figures. This nazm is linked to ‘karbal katha’ on the page ‘kaaba-kaashi’ which contains many cross religious categories.
1
kaash¹ har ummat²-e mazloom³ pukaare un ko
kaash har diin⁴-e mubiiN⁵ ke hoN nigahbaan⁶ husain    1.I wish 2.community 3.oppressed 4.faith 5.brilliant, clear 6.guardian, protector
In the battle of karbala in 680 CE, husain and his companions took a courageous and principled stand in the face of certain death. This has been adopted as a symbol of standing against oppression across many communities. Thus, says the poet, I wish every oppressed community would call for husain. I wish husain would become the protector of every faith.
2
kaash dete raheN iimaan¹ ki quvvat² ka suboot³
kaash duniya pe ye karte raheN ehsaan⁴ husain    1.faith 2.power 3.proof 4.benevolence
May husain continue to offer the proof of the power of faith. May he continue to do this kindness to the world.
3
kaash is faKhr¹-e imaamat² ke liye sub taRpeN³
kaash har bachcha-e momin⁴ ka hoN armaan⁵ husain   1.pride 2.leadership 3.yearn 4.believer 5.desire, goal
‘imaamat’ means leadership but in this (shia) context it has acquired a specific meaning – an office held by 12 direct descendents of mohammed. husain was the third and is referred to here as the pride of the office of imaamat. May everyone yearn for (the love of) this pride of imaamat (husain). May every believer desire to reach husain.
4
kaash ho tishna-labi vajah-e hayaat-e-jaaved
kaash ban jaaye zamaane ka har insaan husain    1.thirsty lips 2.cause of 3.eternal life 4.present times
During the battle of karbala, husain, his family and companions were cut off from access to water. Even in the extreme heat and thirst of the desert they refused to accept injustice, fighting to death instead. It is considered that in their death they achieved eternal life. The poet, in saying, ‘may thirst become the cause of eternal life’ is suggesting that he wishes that everyone would take a courageous stand in the face of oppression even in extreme hardship (such as thirst). May everyone in these times become another husain (follow his example).
5
jis ne taqsiim¹ kiya dard² ka jauhar³ vo husain
aaj tak jis ki hukoomat⁴ hai diloN par vo husain    1.distribute, bestow 2.pain 3.ability, willingness 4.reign
husain’s stand in karbala is considered the epitome of courageously accepting pain in defence of a principled stand. The husain who bestowed (to the world) a shining example of the willingness to accept pain. The husain who still reigns over hearts.
6
chun ke laaya tha bahattar¹ jo mujaahid² vo husain
surKh-ruu³ jis se hua diin⁴-e payambar⁵ vo husain   1.seventy two 2.steadfast in struggle 3.this expression is better translated as glowing/bright face (rather than the English expression red-faced i.e., ashamed) 4.faith 5.messenger/mohammed
Heavily outnumbered and facing certain death husain advised/urged his followers to leave him. He himself was determined to remain steadfast and die, but he urged others to save themselves. Many did. Only 72 remained with him. Thus, that husain who picked 72 steadfast resistors (against oppression). That husain who made the faith of mohammed proud.