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Recitation
Let America Be America Again – Langston Hughes
1
Let America be America again.
Let it be the dream it used to be.
Let it be the pioneer on the plain
Seeking a home where he himself is free.
America never was America to me.
2
Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed–
Let it be that great strong land of love
Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme
That any man be crushed by one above.
It never was America to me.
3
O, let my land be a land where Liberty
Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath,
But opportunity is real, and life is free,
Equality is in the air we breathe.
There’s never been equality for me,
Nor freedom in this “homeland of the free.”
4
Say, who are you that mumbles in the dark?
And who are you that draws your veil across the stars?
5
I am the poor white, fooled and pushed apart,
I am the Negro bearing slavery’s scars.
I am the red man driven from the land,
I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek–
And finding only the same old stupid plan
Of dog eat dog, of mighty crush the weak.
6
I am the young man, full of strength and hope,
Tangled in that ancient endless chain
Of profit, power, gain, of grab the land!
Of grab the gold! Of grab the ways of satisfying need!
Of work the men! Of take the pay!
Of owning everything for one’s own greed!
7
I am the farmer, bondsman to the soil.
I am the worker sold to the machine.
I am the Negro, servant to you all.
I am the people, humble, hungry, mean–
Hungry yet today despite the dream.
Beaten yet today–O, Pioneers!
I am the man who never got ahead,
The poorest worker bartered through the years.
8
Yet I’m the one who dreamt our basic dream
In the Old World while still a serf of kings,
Who dreamt a dream so strong, so brave, so true,
That even yet its mighty daring sings
In every brick and stone, in every furrow turned
That’s made America the land it has become.
9
O, I’m the man who sailed those early seas
In search of what I meant to be my home–
For I’m the one who left dark Ireland’s shore,
And Poland’s plain, and England’s grassy lea,
And torn from Black Africa’s strand I came
To build a “homeland of the free.”
10
The free?
11
Who said the free? Not me?
Surely not me? The millions on relief today?
The millions shot down when we strike?
The millions who have nothing for our pay?
For all the dreams we’ve dreamed
And all the songs we’ve sung
And all the hopes we’ve held
And all the flags we’ve hung,
The millions who have nothing for our pay–
Except the dream that’s almost dead today.
12
O, let America be America again–
The land that never has been yet–
And yet must be–the land where every man is free.
The land that’s mine–the poor man’s, Indian’s, Negro’s, ME–
Who made America,
Whose sweat and blood, whose faith and pain,
Whose hand at the foundry, whose plow in the rain,
Must bring back our mighty dream again.
13
Sure, call me any ugly name you choose–
The steel of freedom does not stain.
From those who live like leeches on the people’s lives,
We must take back our land again,
America!
14
O, yes,
I say it plain,
America never was America to me,
And yet I swear this oath–
America will be!
15
Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death,
The rape and rot of graft, and stealth, and lies,
We, the people, must redeem
The land, the mines, the plants, the rivers.
The mountains and the endless plain–
All, all the stretch of these great green states–
And make America again!
امریکہ، اِک خواب جو پورا نہ ہوا ۔ لانگسٹن ہیوز
اُردو ترجمہ ۔ سید محمّد شاہد
۱
کیوں نہ امریکا بنے وہ امریکا
وہ ایک خواب، جو ہم نے دیکھا تھا
وہ پہلا پہلا دستہ، جو خود روی کی تلاش میں نکلا
کہ سانس چین کی لے، ملے اِختیار کی جو ہَوا
لیکن یہ امریکا کبھی میرا وطن کیوں نہ ہُوا
۲
وہ دور بینی کا حسیں خواب کیوں نہ ہو بارآوَر
وہ ملک جہاں مُنصفی بنے رہبر
جہاں نہ کوئی شہنشاہ نہ کوئی ہو جابر
نہ کوئی ظلم و ستم اور نہ اِقتدار کا ڈر
حساب میرے لئے تو مگر کبھی نہ ہوا
۳
یہ سرزمین کیوں وہ ارضِ پاک نہ ہو
حُریّت کے سر پہ جہاں قومیت کا تاج نہ ہو
جہاں اِمکاں ہو وسیع، زندگی پابند نہ ہو
جہاں بادِ بہارِ مساوات چلی ہو
اور میں! محرومِ یکسانی
اسیرِ سرزمینِ آزادی
۴
تو کون اندھیرے میں چھپا بیہودہ بکواس ہے کرتا
جو اِن دمکتے ستاروں کو ہے پردے میں چھپاتا
۵
میں، وہ سفید فام نادار، مکر و فریب کا شکار
میں، وہ سیہ فام، جو تُو آج بھی سمجھے ہے غلام
میں، کہ اِس مِٹّی کا بدن، اپنے وطن میں ہوں جلا وطن
میں، وہ آوارہ مہاجر، بس اِک اُمید پر، پھروں در بدر
مگر پھر وہی بے معنی و بے حِس ہے طریقہ
زردار کا ہے بار، کُتّے جھپٹے ہیں گُرِسنہ
۶
میں وہ بانکا جواں سال، تند اور تیز
نظامِ کہنہ کی زنجیر میں جکڑا ہوں، ہے زندگی سے سِتیز
اقتدار و جبر، زمین و زماں، سود و زیاں کی ہے پکڑ
تجھے عیش کا اِجارہ، مال و زر پہ جکڑ
بارِ گراں اور بڑھا اور بڑھا پگار نہ دے محنت کی
جمع کر، اور جمع اور جمع، حِرص جو ہے دولت کی
۷
میں وہ کاشتکار، جو زمیں سے ہے بندھا
میں وہ محنت کش، جو مشینوں کے ساتھ ساتھ بِکا
میں وہ سیاہ فام، غلاموں کا غلام
عاجز عوام، بھوکی، بے نام
خواب دیکھا تھا مگر اب بھی ہوں نادار
بانکا دلیر مگر بیکار
میں کہ اِرتقا جسے چھوڑے نکل گئی
مزدور، جس کی محنت بے مول بِک گئی
۸
میں ہی ہوں جس نے کہ یہ خواب بُنا تھا
کہنہ دنیا میں تھا شاہوں کی غلامی میں میں جکڑا
وہ خواب، اِک ترانہ، بلند آواز و معتبر
اِتنا کہ ہر دیوار و در، خشت ہو یا کہ حجر
کھیتوں کی کیاری، ہر اِک شجر، ہیں آج تک نغمہ گر
میں ہی ہوں جس نے ہے یہ ملک بنایا
۹
ہاں میں ہوں جس نے سمندر کیا تھا پار
نئے جہان و مکاں کے لئے اتنا تھا بے قرار
جس نے وہ سبز جزیرے کے کنارے چھوڑے
کہنہ وادی و ولائت کے بھی زرخیز چراگہ چھوڑے
ہاں، میں وہ اہلِ حبش جس کو کہ اغوا کر کے
کیا “آزاد وطن” آباد مرا خون پسینا کر کے
۱۰
آزاد؟
۱۱
کون آزاد ہے؟ میں تو نہیں!
لاکھوں ایسے جو ہیں اِمداد کے محتاج وہ بھی نہیں
ہزاروزں ایسے جن کو فقط اِحتجاج پر مارا
لاکھوں ایسے کہ محنت کا کوئی پھل نہ ملا
جو خواب ہم نے دیکھے تھے
جو ترانے ہم نے گائے تھے
جو ارمان ہم نے پالے تھے
وہ پرچم جو ہم اُٹھائے تھے
لاکھوں ایسے کہ جن کی کاوشوں کا حصُول
بس وہی خواب جو سینے میں دفن ہو کے رہے
۱۲
ہاں، امریکا کیوں نہ بنے وہ امریکا
جو خواب آج بھی پورا نہ ہوا
وہ سرزمین کہ ہر ایک کو یہ حق ہے ملا
وطن ہے میرا، مزدور کا، سیاہ فام ہو یا اِسی مِٹّی کا بنا
وہ جو ہیں اصل میں یہ مُلک بنانے والے
وہ پسینے کی طرح خون بہانے والے
اِدھر آہن اور اُدھر ہل بھی چلانے والے
ہیں وہی خواب کی تعبیر دکھانے والے
۱۳
دُشنام لگاؤ کہ مجھے دو گالی
فولاد سے بھی قوی خواب پہ ہے آنچ نہ آنے والی
جونک کی طرح سے ہے خون جو چوسا تم نے
لیں گے واپس یہ وطن آئیں گے یہاں وہ بھی زمانے
امریکا!
۱۴
ہاں
صاف گوئی سے ہوں میں یہ کہتا
وطن امریکا ابھی میرا نہ بنا
لیکن ہے قسم اور قوی میرا ارادہ
ایک دِن ہو کے رہے گا میرا
۱۵
چھوٹیں گے قتل و غارت گری کے دلدل سے
ظلم و تشدید سے، نا اِنصافی، کذب و ریاکاری سے
لیں گے واپس حق اپنا تم سے
کِشت و نباتات، خُشکی و تری، زمین و زماں
صحرا و دریا، کوہ و داماں
وصعتِ سبز از کراں تا بہ کراں
امریکا، وہ خواب ہی ہے آج بھی اِک دھندلا سا گُماں
अम्रीका – एक ख़्वाब जो पूरा न हुआ – लांग्स्टन ह्यूज़
उर्दू तर्जुमा – सय्यद मोहम्मद शाहेद
१
क्यूं न अम्रीका बने वो अम्रीका
वो एक ख़्वाब, जो हम ने देखा था
वो पहला पहला दस्ता, जो ख़ुद्रवी की तलाश में निक्ला
के सांस चैन की ले, मिले एख़्तियार की जो हवा
लैकिन ये अमेरीका कभी मेरा वतन क्यूं न हुआ
२
वो दूर-बीनी का हसीं ख़्वाब क्यूं न हो बार-आवर
वो मुल्क जहां मुंसिफ़ी बने रहबर
जहां न कोई शहंशाह न कोई हो जाबर
न कोई ज़ुल्म ओ सितम और न एख़्तदार का डर
हिसाब मेरे लिये तो मगर कभी न हुआ
३
ये सरज़मीन क्यूं वो अर्ज़-ए पाक न हो
हुरिय्यत के सर पे जहां क़ौमियत का ताज न हो
जहां इम्कान हो वस’ई, ज़िंगी पाबंद न हो
जहां बाद-ए बहार-ए मसावात चली हो
और मैं! महरूम-ए यक्सानी
असीर-ए सरज़मीन-ए आज़दी
४
तू कौन अंघेरे में छुपा बेहुदा बक्वास है करता
जो इन दमकते सितारौं को है पर्दे में छुपाता
५
मैं, वो सफ़ेद-फ़ाम नादार, मक्र ओ फ़रेब का शिकार
मैं, वो सियाह-फ़ाम, जो तू आज भी समझे है ग़ुलाम
मैं, के इस मिट्टी का बदन, अपने वतन में हूं जिला-वतन
मैं, वो आवारा मुहाजर, बस एक उम्मीद पर, फिरूं दर-ब-दर
मगर फिर वही, बे-म’आनी ओ बे-हिस है तरीक़ा
ज़रदार का है बार, कुत्ते झप्टे हैं गुरस्ना
६
मैं वो बांका जवां साल, तुंद और तेज़
निज़ाम-ए कोहना में जक्ड़ा हुं, है ज़िंदगी से सितेज़
एक़्तदार ओ जब्र, ज़मीन ओ ज़मां, सूद ओ ज़ियां की है पकड़
तुझे ऐश का इजारा, माल ओ ज़र पे जकड़
बार-ए गिरां और बढा, और बढा, और बढा, पगार न दे मेहनत की
जम’अ कर, और जम’अ और जम’अ, हिर्स जो है दौलत की
७
मैं, वो काश्तकार, जो ज़मीं से है बंधा
मैं, वो मेहनत-कश, जो मशीनौं के साथ साथ बिका
मैं, वो सियाह-फ़ाम, ग़ुलामौं का ग़ुलाम
आ’जिज़ अवाम, भूकी, बे-नाम
ख़्वाब देखा था मगर अब भी हूं नादार
बांका दिलेर, मगर बे-कार
मैं, के इर्तक़ा जिसे छोड़े निकल गई
मज़्दूर, जिस की मेहनत बे-मोल बिक गई
८
मैं हि हूं जिस ने के ये ख़्वाब बुना था
कोहना दुनिया में था शाहौं की ग़ुलामी में मैं जक्ड़ा
वो ख़्वाब, एक तराना, बलंद आवाज़ ओ मो’तबर
इतना, के हर दीवार ओ दर, ख़िश्त हो या के हजर
खेतौं की क्यारी, हर एक शजर, हैं आज तक नग़्मा-गर
मैं हि हूं जिस ने है ये मुल्क बनाया
९
हां मैं हूं जिस ने समंदर किया था पार
नये जहान ओ मकां के लिये इतना था बेक़रार
जिस ने वो सब्ज़ जज़ीरे के किनारे छोड़े
कोहना वादी ओ विलाएत के भी ज़र-ख़ेज़ चरागह छोड़े
हां, मैं वो अहल-ए हबश, जिस को के अग़्वा कर के
किया “आज़ाद वतन” आबाद मेरा ख़ून पसीना कर के
१०
आज़ाद?
११
कौन आज़ाद है? मैं तो नहीं?
लाखों ऐसे जो हैं इम्दाद के मोहताज, वो भी नहीं
हज़ारों ऐसे जिन को फ़क़त एहतजाज पर मारा
लाखों ऐसे के मेहनत का कोई फल न मिला
जो ख़्वाब हम ने देखे थे
जो तराने हम ने गाये थे
जो अरमान हम ने पाले थे
वो पर्चम जो हम उठाए थे
लाखों ऐसे के जिन की काविशौं का हुसूल
बस वही ख़्वाब जो सीने में दफ़्न हो के रहे
१२
हां अम्रीका क्यूं न बने वो अम्रीका
जो ख़्वाब आज भी पूरा न हुआ
वो सरज़मीन के हर एक को ये हक़ है मिला
वतन है मेरा, मज़्दूर का, सियाह-फ़ाम हो या इसी मिट्टी का बना
वो जो हैं अस्ल में ये मुल्क बनाने वाले
वो पसीने की तरह ख़ून बहाने वाले
इधर आहन और उधर हल भी चलाने वाले
हैं वही ख़्वाब कि ता’बीर दिखाने वाले
१३
दुश्नाम लगाओ के मुझे दो गाली
फ़ौलाद से भी क़वी ख़्वाब पे है आंच न आने वाली
जोंक की तरह से है ख़ून जो चूसा तुम ने
लेंगे वापस ये वतन आयेंगे यहां वो भी ज़माने
अम्रीका!
१४
हां
साफ़ गोई से हूं मैं ये कहता
वतन अम्रीका अभी मेरा न बना
लैकिन है क़सम और क़वी मेरा इरादा
एक दिन हो के रहेगा मेरा
१५
छूटेंगे क़त्ल ओ ग़ारत-गरी के दल्दल से
ज़ुल्म ओ तश्दीद से, ना-इंसाफ़ी, कज़्ब ओ रियाकारी से
लेंगे वापस हक़ अपना तुम से
किश्त ओ नबातात, ख़ुश्की ओ तरी, ज़मीन ओ ज़मां
सहरा ओ दर्या, कोह ओ दामां
वुस’अत-ए सब्ज़ अज़ करां ता ब करां
अम्रीका, गो ख़्वाब हि है आज भी एक धुदला सा गुमां
Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. Langston Hughes (1901–1967) poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist. Hughes is best known as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance. This is an urdu re-composition of his long poem, ‘Let America be America Again’. shahed (1944-living) maintains this website, is a newcomer and novice to urdu, having spent all his professional life in engineering research. Editorial comment – in this poem, I think, Langston Hughes is a little too kind to the pioneers, the ‘first settlers’, romanticizes them more than history justifies, and glosses over the genocide of the natives.
1
kyuN na amriika bane vo amriika
vo ek Khwaab, jo hum ne dekha tha
vo pahla pahla dasta1, jo Khud-ravi2 ki talaash3 meN nikla
ke saaNs chain ki le, mile eKhtiyaar4 ki jo hava
laikin ye amrika kabhi mera vatan kyuN na hua 1.early group (of pioneers) 2.striking one’s own path 3.search 4.discretion, control
Why can’t America become that America which was a dream that we had seen. That early group of pioneers who set out in search of striking their own path, so that they may breathe freely the air that gave them control over their own destiny. But this America was never a home for me. Editorial comment – in this poem, I think, Langston Hughes is a little too kind to the pioneers, the ‘first settlers’, romanticizes them more than history justifies, and glosses over the genocide of the natives.
2
vo duur-biini1 ka hasiiN Khwaab kyuN na ho baar-aavar2
vo mulk jahaaN munsifi3 bane rahbar4
jahaaN na koii shahanshaah, no koii ho jaaber5
na koii zulm o sitam aur na eKhtedaar6 ka Dar
hisaab mere liye to magar kabhi na hua 1.far sightedness 2.bearing fruit 3.justice, laws 4.guide 5.oppressor 6.absolute power
Why should that far-sighted, beautiful dream not bear fruit. The homeland where justice and laws are the guide. Where there is not emperor or dictator. Where there is no cruel oppression nor fear of absolute power. But I was never dealt such a deal.
3
ye sarzamin1 kyuN vo arz-e-paak2 na ho
hurriyat3 ke sar pe jahaaN qaumiyyat4 ka taaj na ho
jahaaN imkaan5 ho vas’ee6, zindagi paaband7 na ho
jahaaN baad-e-bahaar8-e masaavaat9 chali ho
aur maiN! mahroom10-e yaksaani11
asiir12-e sarzamin1-e aazaadi 1.homeland 2.land of virtue/laws 3.liberty 4.nationalism 5.possibilities 6.vast 7.restricted 8.spring/fragrant breeze 9.equality 10.unfamiliar, denied 11.equality 12.captive
Why should that homeland become that land of virtue where liberty does not wear the crown of nationalism (nationality). Where possibilities are vast, life is not restricted/circumscribed. Where a fragrant breeze of equality blows. And me! I am denied that equality. I am a slave in the homeland of freedom (the land of free).
4
tu kaun andhere meN chhupa be-huda1 bakvaas2 hai karta
jo in damakte3 sitaaroN ko hai parde meN chhupaata 1.impertinent 2.drivel 3.shining
Who are you who, hiding in dark shadows, speaks drivel. Who tries to hide these shining stars under a veil.
5
maiN, vo safed-faam naadaar, makr o fareb ka shikaar
maiN, vo siyaah-faam, jo tu aaj bhi samjhe hai Ghulaam
maiN, ke is miTTi ka badan, apne vatan meN huN jila-vatan
maiN, vo aavaara muhaajir, bas ek ummeed par, phiruN dar-ba-dar
magar, phir vahi be-m’aani o be-hiss hai tariiqa
zardaar ka hai baar, kutte jhapTe haiN gurisna 1.white skinned 2.pauper, destitute 3.cunning 4.deceit 5.victim, target 6.dark-skinned 7.exile 8.wandering 9.migrant 10.hope 11.door to door 12.meaningless 13.unfeeling, cruel 14.ways, system 15.wealthy, capitalist 16.weight, oppression 17.hungry
I am that white skinned destitute, the victim of cunning and deceit. I am the dark-skinned person, who you still consider a slave. I am the native, nurtured by this soil, but an exile in my own homeland. I am that wandering migrant, who goes door to door clinging on to a hope only to find the same meaningless and cruel system, where under the weight of the capitalist we rush at each other like hungry dogs.
6
maiN, vo baaNka1 javaaN-saal2, tund aur tez3
nizaam4-e kohna5 meN jakRa huN, hai zindagi se sit’ez6
eKhtedaar7 o jabr8, zamin-o-zamaaN9, suud-o-ziyaaN10 ki hai pakaR
tujhe aish11 ka ijaara12, maal o zar13 pe jakaR
baar-e-giraaN14 aur baRha, aur baRha, aur baRha, pagaar15 ne de mehnat16 ki
jam’a17 kar, aur jam’a aur jam’a, hirs18 jo hai daulat19 ki 1.fearless 2.youth 3.swift and fast 4.system 5.old 6.fight, struggle 7.authority 8.oppression 9.place and time 10.profit and loss 11.luxury 12.monopoly 13.gold 14.heavy weight, oppression 15.wages 16.labour 17.accumulate 18.greed 19.wealth
I am that fearless youth, swift and fast, but caught in the ways of the old system, struggling with life. I am in the grip of power and oppression, wealth and gold, profit and loss. You have a monopoly over luxury, control over wealth and gold. Increase your oppression more and more, not paying due wages to the worker. Accumulate, more and more to satisfy your greed for wealth.
7
maiN, vo kaashtkaar1, jo zamiN se hai bandha
maiN, vo mehnat-kash2, jo mashiinoN ke saath saath bika
maiN, vo siyah-faam3, GhulaamoN ka Ghulaam
aa’jiz4 avaam5, bhooki, be-naam
Khwaab dekha tha, magar ab bhi huN naadaar6
baaNka7, diler8, magar bekaar9
maiN ke irteqaa10 jise chhoRe nikal gayii
mazdoor, jis ki mehnat be-mol11 bik gayii 1.farmer 2.worker 3.dark-skinned 4.helpless 5.people 6.destitute 7.daring 8.courageous 9.ineffective 10.progress 11.without compensation
I am that farmer who is tied to the land/landlord. I am the worker who gets sold with the machine. I am dark-skinned, a slave of slaves. People helpless, hungry and unrecognized. I am daring and courageous, but to no effect. I am the one whom progress has left behind. The worker whose labour is not valued.
8
maiN hi huN jis ne keh ye Khwaab buna tha
kohna1 duniya meN tha shaahoN ki Ghulaami meN maiN jakRa
vo Khwaab, ek taraana2, baland-aavaaz3 o mo’tabar4
itna, keh har diivaar o dar5, Khishth6 ho ya ke hajar7
khetoN ki kyaari, har ek shajar8, haiN aaj tak naGhma-gar9
maiN hi huN jis ne hai ye mulk banaaya 1.old 2.anthem 3.loud, clear 4.trustworthy 5.door 6.brick 7.rock, stone 8.tree 9.singing
I am the one who conceived this vision. I was enslaved by kings in the old world. My vision became an anthem, lout and clear and inspired confidence, so much so that “doors and walls” (i.e. cities), bricks and rocks, furrows of the field, every tree to this day, sing that anthem. I am the one who built this homeland.
9
haaN maiN huN jis ne samandar kya tha paar
naye jahaan1 o makaaN2 ke liye itna tha beqaraar3
jis ne vo sabz4 jazeere5 ke kinaare chhoRe
kohna6 vaadi7 o vilaayat8 ke bhi zar-Khez9 charaagah10 chhoRe
haaN, maiN vo ahl-e-habash11, jis ko keh aGhva12 kar ke
kiya “aazaad vatan” aabaad13 mera Khoon pasiina kar ke 1.world 2.home 3.eager 4.green 5.island 6.ancient 7.valley, plains 8.monarchy, England 9.gold-spreading 10.pastures 11.negro 12.kidnap 13.prosperous
I am the one who crossed the ocean. I was so eager/impatient for a new world and a new home that I left the shores of that green island, the ancient plains and pastures of England. Yes, I am the negro who was kidnapped and whose blood, flowing like sweat, make this land prosper.
10
aazaad? Free?
11
kaun aazad hai? maiN to nahiN!
laakhoN aise jo haiN imdaad1 ke mohtaaj2, vo bhi nahiN
hazaaroN aise jin ko faqat3 ehtejaaj4 par maara
laakhoN aise ke mehnat ka koii phal na mila
jo Khwaab hum ne dekhe the
jo taraane5 hum ne gaaye the
jo armaan6 hum ne paale the
vo parcham jo hum uThaaye the
laakhoN aise keh jin ki kaavishoN7 ka husool8
bus vahi Khwaab jo seene meN dafn9 ho ke rahe 1.help, aid, alms 2.dependent on 3.only 4.protest 5.anthems 6.desires, hopes 7.effort, work 8.result, benefit 9.buried
Who is it that is free? Not me. And not those thousands who are dependent on alms, nor the hundreds of thousands who do not get to enjoy the fruit of their labour. The vision that we had seen, the anthems that we had sung, the hopes that we had nurtured, the banners that we had unfurled were all to no avail. The result of our effort, just the dreams that remain buried in our bosom.
12
haaN amrika kyuN na bane vo amrika
jo Khwaab aaj bhi puura na hua
vo sarzamin1 ke har ek ko ye haq2 hai mila
vatan hai mera, mazdoor ka, siyah-faam3 ho keh isi miTTi ka bana
vo jo haiN asl meN ye mulk banaane vaale
vo pasiine ki tarah Khoon bahaane vaale
idhar aahan4 aur udhar hal bhi chalaane vaale
haiN vahi Khwaab ki ta’biir5 dikhaane vaale 1.homeland 2.right 3.black 4.foundry 5.interpretation, fulfilment
Why should America not become that America – a dream that yet has not been realized. The homeland where every one is given the right that this is their home, the home of the worker, be they black or made of this very soil. Those that are the real architects of this country, whose blood flows like sweat. They work the foundry here and plough there. They are the ones who will bring the fulfilment of this dream.
13
dushnaam1 lagaao keh mujhe do gaali
faulaad2 se bhi qavi3 Khwaab pe hai aaNch na aane vaali
joNk4 ki tarah se hai Khoon jo choosa tum ne
leNge vaapas ye vatan, aayeNge yahaaN vo bhi zamaane5
amrika! 1.disrepute, blame 2.steel 3.strong 4.leech 5.times
Blame me or abuse me, if you must. But this iron clad dream cannot not be burnt and blown into smoke. You have sucked our blood like leeches. We will take back our homeland, those times will certainly come. America!
14
haaN
saaf-goii1 se huN maiN ye kahta
vatan amrika abhi mera na bana
laikin hai qasam2 aur qavi3 mera iraada4
ek din ho ke rahega mera 1.plain speaking 2.promise 3.strong 4.determination
Yes, I speak plainly. America has not been a welcoming home to me yet. But I promise, my determination is strong, it will one day become mine.
15
chhooTeNge qatl1 o Ghaarat-gari2 ke daldal3 se
zulm4 o tashdiid5 se, na-insaafi6, kazb7 o riyaakaari8 se
leNge vaapas haq9 apna tum se
kisht10 o nabaataat11, Khushki-o-tari12, zamin-o-zamaaN13
sahra-o-darya14, koh-o-daamaaN15
vus’at16-e sabz17 az-karaaN-taa-ba-karaaN18
amrika, go19 Khwaab hi hai aaj bhi ek dhundla20 sa 1.killing 2.annihilation 3.swamp 4.torture 5.oppression 6.injustice 7.falsehood 8.hypocrisy 9.rights 10.cultivated fields 11.minerals/mines 12.dry and wet 13.place and time 14.desert and river 15.hills and valleys 16.expanse 17.green 18.from beginning to end 19.even though 20.vague, blurry
We shall escape from this swamp of annihilation and killing, of torture and oppression, of injustice, lies and hypocrisy. We will take back our rights – fields and mines, dry and wetlands, place and time, rivers and desert, hills and valleys, the vast green plains from horizon to horizon – this America which is still but a blurry dream.
Langston Hughes (1901–1967) poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist. Hughes is best known as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance. This is an urdu re-composition of his long poem, ‘Let America be America Again’. shahed (1944-living) maintains this website, is a newcomer and novice to urdu, having spent all his professional life in engineering research. Editorial comment – in this poem, I think, Langston Hughes is a little too kind to the pioneers, the ‘first settlers’, romanticizes them more than history justifies, and glosses over the genocide of the natives.
1
kyuN na amriika bane vo amriika
vo ek Khwaab, jo hum ne dekha tha
vo pahla pahla dasta1, jo Khud-ravi2 ki talaash3 meN nikla
ke saaNs chain ki le, mile eKhtiyaar4 ki jo hava
laikin ye amrika kabhi mera vatan kyuN na hua
1.early group (of pioneers) 2.striking one’s own path 3.search 4.discretion, control
Why can’t America become that America which was a dream that we had seen. That early group of pioneers who set out in search of striking their own path, so that they may breathe freely the air that gave them control over their own destiny. But this America was never a home for me. Editorial comment – in this poem, I think, Langston Hughes is a little too kind to the pioneers, the ‘first settlers’, romanticizes them more than history justifies, and glosses over the genocide of the natives.
2
vo duur-biini1 ka hasiiN Khwaab kyuN na ho baar-aavar2
vo mulk jahaaN munsifi3 bane rahbar4
jahaaN na koii shahanshaah, no koii ho jaaber5
na koii zulm o sitam aur na eKhtedaar6 ka Dar
hisaab mere liye to magar kabhi na hua
1.far sightedness 2.bearing fruit 3.justice, laws 4.guide 5.oppressor 6.absolute power
Why should that far-sighted, beautiful dream not bear fruit. The homeland where justice and laws are the guide. Where there is not emperor or dictator. Where there is no cruel oppression nor fear of absolute power. But I was never dealt such a deal.
3
ye sarzamin1 kyuN vo arz-e-paak2 na ho
hurriyat3 ke sar pe jahaaN qaumiyyat4 ka taaj na ho
jahaaN imkaan5 ho vas’ee6, zindagi paaband7 na ho
jahaaN baad-e-bahaar8-e masaavaat9 chali ho
aur maiN! mahroom10-e yaksaani11
asiir12-e sarzamin1-e aazaadi
1.homeland 2.land of virtue/laws 3.liberty 4.nationalism 5.possibilities 6.vast 7.restricted 8.spring/fragrant breeze 9.equality 10.unfamiliar, denied 11.equality 12.captive
Why should that homeland become that land of virtue where liberty does not wear the crown of nationalism (nationality). Where possibilities are vast, life is not restricted/circumscribed. Where a fragrant breeze of equality blows. And me! I am denied that equality. I am a slave in the homeland of freedom (the land of free).
4
tu kaun andhere meN chhupa be-huda1 bakvaas2 hai karta
jo in damakte3 sitaaroN ko hai parde meN chhupaata
1.impertinent 2.drivel 3.shining
Who are you who, hiding in dark shadows, speaks drivel. Who tries to hide these shining stars under a veil.
5
maiN, vo safed-faam naadaar, makr o fareb ka shikaar
maiN, vo siyaah-faam, jo tu aaj bhi samjhe hai Ghulaam
maiN, ke is miTTi ka badan, apne vatan meN huN jila-vatan
maiN, vo aavaara muhaajir, bas ek ummeed par, phiruN dar-ba-dar
magar, phir vahi be-m’aani o be-hiss hai tariiqa
zardaar ka hai baar, kutte jhapTe haiN gurisna
1.white skinned 2.pauper, destitute 3.cunning 4.deceit 5.victim, target 6.dark-skinned 7.exile 8.wandering 9.migrant 10.hope 11.door to door 12.meaningless 13.unfeeling, cruel 14.ways, system 15.wealthy, capitalist 16.weight, oppression 17.hungry
I am that white skinned destitute, the victim of cunning and deceit. I am the dark-skinned person, who you still consider a slave. I am the native, nurtured by this soil, but an exile in my own homeland. I am that wandering migrant, who goes door to door clinging on to a hope only to find the same meaningless and cruel system, where under the weight of the capitalist we rush at each other like hungry dogs.
6
maiN, vo baaNka1 javaaN-saal2, tund aur tez3
nizaam4-e kohna5 meN jakRa huN, hai zindagi se sit’ez6
eKhtedaar7 o jabr8, zamin-o-zamaaN9, suud-o-ziyaaN10 ki hai pakaR
tujhe aish11 ka ijaara12, maal o zar13 pe jakaR
baar-e-giraaN14 aur baRha, aur baRha, aur baRha, pagaar15 ne de mehnat16 ki
jam’a17 kar, aur jam’a aur jam’a, hirs18 jo hai daulat19 ki
1.fearless 2.youth 3.swift and fast 4.system 5.old 6.fight, struggle 7.authority 8.oppression 9.place and time 10.profit and loss 11.luxury 12.monopoly 13.gold 14.heavy weight, oppression 15.wages 16.labour 17.accumulate 18.greed 19.wealth
I am that fearless youth, swift and fast, but caught in the ways of the old system, struggling with life. I am in the grip of power and oppression, wealth and gold, profit and loss. You have a monopoly over luxury, control over wealth and gold. Increase your oppression more and more, not paying due wages to the worker. Accumulate, more and more to satisfy your greed for wealth.
7
maiN, vo kaashtkaar1, jo zamiN se hai bandha
maiN, vo mehnat-kash2, jo mashiinoN ke saath saath bika
maiN, vo siyah-faam3, GhulaamoN ka Ghulaam
aa’jiz4 avaam5, bhooki, be-naam
Khwaab dekha tha, magar ab bhi huN naadaar6
baaNka7, diler8, magar bekaar9
maiN ke irteqaa10 jise chhoRe nikal gayii
mazdoor, jis ki mehnat be-mol11 bik gayii
1.farmer 2.worker 3.dark-skinned 4.helpless 5.people 6.destitute 7.daring 8.courageous 9.ineffective 10.progress 11.without compensation
I am that farmer who is tied to the land/landlord. I am the worker who gets sold with the machine. I am dark-skinned, a slave of slaves. People helpless, hungry and unrecognized. I am daring and courageous, but to no effect. I am the one whom progress has left behind. The worker whose labour is not valued.
8
maiN hi huN jis ne keh ye Khwaab buna tha
kohna1 duniya meN tha shaahoN ki Ghulaami meN maiN jakRa
vo Khwaab, ek taraana2, baland-aavaaz3 o mo’tabar4
itna, keh har diivaar o dar5, Khishth6 ho ya ke hajar7
khetoN ki kyaari, har ek shajar8, haiN aaj tak naGhma-gar9
maiN hi huN jis ne hai ye mulk banaaya
1.old 2.anthem 3.loud, clear 4.trustworthy 5.door 6.brick 7.rock, stone 8.tree 9.singing
I am the one who conceived this vision. I was enslaved by kings in the old world. My vision became an anthem, lout and clear and inspired confidence, so much so that “doors and walls” (i.e. cities), bricks and rocks, furrows of the field, every tree to this day, sing that anthem. I am the one who built this homeland.
9
haaN maiN huN jis ne samandar kya tha paar
naye jahaan1 o makaaN2 ke liye itna tha beqaraar3
jis ne vo sabz4 jazeere5 ke kinaare chhoRe
kohna6 vaadi7 o vilaayat8 ke bhi zar-Khez9 charaagah10 chhoRe
haaN, maiN vo ahl-e-habash11, jis ko keh aGhva12 kar ke
kiya “aazaad vatan” aabaad13 mera Khoon pasiina kar ke
1.world 2.home 3.eager 4.green 5.island 6.ancient 7.valley, plains 8.monarchy, England 9.gold-spreading 10.pastures 11.negro 12.kidnap 13.prosperous
I am the one who crossed the ocean. I was so eager/impatient for a new world and a new home that I left the shores of that green island, the ancient plains and pastures of England. Yes, I am the negro who was kidnapped and whose blood, flowing like sweat, make this land prosper.
10
aazaad?
Free?
11
kaun aazad hai? maiN to nahiN!
laakhoN aise jo haiN imdaad1 ke mohtaaj2, vo bhi nahiN
hazaaroN aise jin ko faqat3 ehtejaaj4 par maara
laakhoN aise ke mehnat ka koii phal na mila
jo Khwaab hum ne dekhe the
jo taraane5 hum ne gaaye the
jo armaan6 hum ne paale the
vo parcham jo hum uThaaye the
laakhoN aise keh jin ki kaavishoN7 ka husool8
bus vahi Khwaab jo seene meN dafn9 ho ke rahe
1.help, aid, alms 2.dependent on 3.only 4.protest 5.anthems 6.desires, hopes 7.effort, work 8.result, benefit 9.buried
Who is it that is free? Not me. And not those thousands who are dependent on alms, nor the hundreds of thousands who do not get to enjoy the fruit of their labour. The vision that we had seen, the anthems that we had sung, the hopes that we had nurtured, the banners that we had unfurled were all to no avail. The result of our effort, just the dreams that remain buried in our bosom.
12
haaN amrika kyuN na bane vo amrika
jo Khwaab aaj bhi puura na hua
vo sarzamin1 ke har ek ko ye haq2 hai mila
vatan hai mera, mazdoor ka, siyah-faam3 ho keh isi miTTi ka bana
vo jo haiN asl meN ye mulk banaane vaale
vo pasiine ki tarah Khoon bahaane vaale
idhar aahan4 aur udhar hal bhi chalaane vaale
haiN vahi Khwaab ki ta’biir5 dikhaane vaale
1.homeland 2.right 3.black 4.foundry 5.interpretation, fulfilment
Why should America not become that America – a dream that yet has not been realized. The homeland where every one is given the right that this is their home, the home of the worker, be they black or made of this very soil. Those that are the real architects of this country, whose blood flows like sweat. They work the foundry here and plough there. They are the ones who will bring the fulfilment of this dream.
13
dushnaam1 lagaao keh mujhe do gaali
faulaad2 se bhi qavi3 Khwaab pe hai aaNch na aane vaali
joNk4 ki tarah se hai Khoon jo choosa tum ne
leNge vaapas ye vatan, aayeNge yahaaN vo bhi zamaane5
amrika!
1.disrepute, blame 2.steel 3.strong 4.leech 5.times
Blame me or abuse me, if you must. But this iron clad dream cannot not be burnt and blown into smoke. You have sucked our blood like leeches. We will take back our homeland, those times will certainly come. America!
14
haaN
saaf-goii1 se huN maiN ye kahta
vatan amrika abhi mera na bana
laikin hai qasam2 aur qavi3 mera iraada4
ek din ho ke rahega mera
1.plain speaking 2.promise 3.strong 4.determination
Yes, I speak plainly. America has not been a welcoming home to me yet. But I promise, my determination is strong, it will one day become mine.
15
chhooTeNge qatl1 o Ghaarat-gari2 ke daldal3 se
zulm4 o tashdiid5 se, na-insaafi6, kazb7 o riyaakaari8 se
leNge vaapas haq9 apna tum se
kisht10 o nabaataat11, Khushki-o-tari12, zamin-o-zamaaN13
sahra-o-darya14, koh-o-daamaaN15
vus’at16-e sabz17 az-karaaN-taa-ba-karaaN18
amrika, go19 Khwaab hi hai aaj bhi ek dhundla20 sa
1.killing 2.annihilation 3.swamp 4.torture 5.oppression 6.injustice 7.falsehood 8.hypocrisy 9.rights 10.cultivated fields 11.minerals/mines 12.dry and wet 13.place and time 14.desert and river 15.hills and valleys 16.expanse 17.green 18.from beginning to end 19.even though 20.vague, blurry
We shall escape from this swamp of annihilation and killing, of torture and oppression, of injustice, lies and hypocrisy. We will take back our rights – fields and mines, dry and wetlands, place and time, rivers and desert, hills and valleys, the vast green plains from horizon to horizon – this America which is still but a blurry dream.
excellent…..The translation is equally expressing all the same feelings,,,,Thanks