karbala-sardar jafri

‘tarannum’ button has recitation by ali sardar jafri

کربلا   –  علی سردار جعفری

 

پِھر  العطش کی ہے صدا
جیسے رجز  کا زمزمہ
پِھر  ریگِ صحرا پر رواں
ہے اہل دِل کا کارواں
نہر   فرات آتَش بجاں
راوی و گنگا خوں چکاں

 

کوئی یزیدِ  وقت ہو
یا شمر  ہو یا حُرمُلہ
اُس کو خبر  ہو یا نہ  ہو
روزِ  حِساب آنے کو ہے
نزدیک ہے روزِ  جزا
ائے  کربلا، ائے کربلا

 

گونگی نہیں ہے  یہ زمیں
گونگا نہیں  یہ  آسْماں
گونگے نہیں حرف و  بیاں
گونگی اگر ہے مصلحت
زخموں کو ملتی ہے زباں
وہ خوں جو رزقِ خاک تھا
تابندہ  ہے ، پا ئندہ  ہے

 

صدیوں کی سفّاکی سہی
انسان اب بھی زندہ ہے
زندہ ہے اعْجازِ  فغان
ہر   ذرۂ پامال میں
دِل كے دھڑکنے کی صدا
ائے کربلا، ائے کربلا

 

عرشِ  رعونت كے خدا
ارضِ ستم  كے دیوتا
یہ  ٹِین اور  لوہے كے  بُت
یہ سیم و زَر  كے کبریا
بارود ہے جن  کی  قبا
راکٹ کی لۓ جن کی صدا
طوفانِ غم سے بے خبر
یہ  کم سواد و  کم  ہنر
نکلے  ہیں لے کر  اصلح

 

لیکن جل اُٹھی زیرِ  پا
ریگِ نواحِ  کاظمہ
ریگِ نواحِ  نینوا
آندھی  ہے  مشرق کی ہوا
شعلہ  فِلسطیں کی فضا
ائے کربلا، ائے کربلا

 

یہ  مدرسے  دانش کدے
علم و ہُنر  كے میکدے
اُن  میں کہاں سے آ گئے
یہ کرگسوں  كے  گھونسلے
یہ  جہل   کی   پرچھائیاں
لیتی  ہوئی  انگڑ ایاں

 

دانشورانِ بے  یقیں
غیروں كے دفتر كے امیں
الفاظ كے  خواجہ  سرا
ان كے  تصرف میں نہیں
خونِ  بہارِ  زندگی
ان  كے  تصرف   میں    نہیں
خونِ حیاتِ جاوِداں
برہم ہے  ان سے رنگِ گُل
آ زُردہ  ہے بَادِ صبا
ائے کربلا، ائے  کربلا

 

لیکن  یہی  دانش  کدے
ہیں  عشق كے آ تش کدے
ہیں حُسْن كے تابش کدے
پلتے  ہیں جن کی گود میں
لے کر  انوکھا بانکپن
عصرِ  رواں  كے  كوہكن
میرے  جوانانِ چمن
بُلبُل  نوا، شاہیں ادا
ائے کربلا، ائے  کربلا

 

ائے غم  كے فرزندو اُٹھو
ائے آرزو مندو اُٹھو
زُلفوں کی گلیوں میں رواں
دِل  کی نسیمِ جاں فزا
ہونٹوں کی کلیوں میں جواں
بوُۓ گُل و بوُۓ وفا

 

آنکھوں میں  تاروں کی چمک
ماتھوں پہ  سورج  کی دمک
دِل میں جمال  شام غم
رُخ پر  جلالِ  بے  نوا
گونجی ہوئی  زیرِ  قدم
تاریخ  کی آوازِ  پا
شمشیر   ہیں  دستِ  دعا
ائے کربلا، ائے کربلا

 

پیاسوں  كے آگے  آئیں گے
آئیں گے ، لاۓ جائیں  گے
آسودگانِ جامِ  جم
سب  صاحبانِ بے کرم
کھُل جائے گا سارا بھرم
جھک جائیں گے  تیغ و علم
پیشِ سفیرانِ  قلم
رخشندہ ہے روح  حرم
تابندہ ہے  روُ صنم
سردار  كے شعروں میں ہے
خونِ  شہیداں کی  ضیا
ائے کربلا، ائے  کربلا

करबला – अली सरदार जाफ़री

 

फिर अल-अतश की है सदा

जैसे रजज़ का ज़मज़मा

फिर रेग-ए सेहरा पर रवां

है अहल-ए दिल का कारवां

नहर-ए फ़ुरात आतिश बजां

रावी ओ गंगा ख़ूं चकां

 

कोई यज़ीद-ए वक़्त हो

या शिम्र हो या हुरमुला

उस को ख़बर हो या ना हो

रोज़-ए हिसाब आने को है

नज़्दीक है रोज़-ए जज़ा

अए करबला, अए करबला

 

गूंगी नहीं है ये ज़मीं

गूंगा नहीं ये आस्मां

गूंगे नहीं हर्फ़ ओ बयां

गूंगी है मस्लेहत

ज़ख़्मों को मिलती है ज़बां

वो ख़ूं जो रिज़क़-ए ख़ाक था

ताबिन्दा है, पाइन्दा है

 

सदियौं की सफ़्फ़ाकी सही

इन्सान अब भी ज़िंदा है

ज़िंदा है ऐजाज़-ए फ़ुग़ां

हर ज़र्रा-ए पामाल में

दिल के धड़क्ने की सदा

अए करबला, अए करबला

 

अर्श-ए रा’ऊनत के ख़ुदा

अर्ज़-ए सितम के देवता

ये टीन और लोहे के बुत

ये सीम ओ ज़र के कीब्रिया

बारूद है जिन की क़बा

रॉकेट की लै जिन की सदा

तूफ़ान-ए ग़म से बे ख़बर

ये कम सवाद ओ कम हुनर

निकले हैं लेकर अस्लहा

 

लैकिन जल उठि ज़ेर-ए पा

रेग-ए नवाह-ए काज़िमा

रेग-ए नवाह-ए नैनवा

आँधी है मश्रिक़ की हवा

शोला’ फ़िलस्तीं  की फ़िज़ा

अए करबला, अए करबला

 

ये मद्रसे दानिश कदे

इल्म ओ हुनर के मैकदे

इन में कहां से आ गए

ये करगसौं  के घोंसले

ये जहल की परछाईयां

लेती हुई अंगड़ाईयां

 

दानिश्वरान-ए बे यक़ीं

ग़ैरों के दफ़्तर के अमीं

अल्फ़ाज़ के ख़्वाजा सरा

इन के तसर्रुफ़ में नहीं

ख़ून-ए बहार-ए ज़िंदगी

इन के तसर्रुफ़ में नहीं

ख़ून-ए हयात-ए जाविदां

बरहम है इन से रंग-ए गुल

आज़ुरदा है बाद-ए सबा

अए करबला, अए करबला

 

लैकिन यही दानिशकदे

हैं इश्क़ के आतिशकदे

हैं हुस्न के ताबिशकदे

पलते हैं जिन की गोद में

लेकर अनोखा बांकपन

अस्र-ए रवां के कोहकन

मेरे जवानान-ए चमन

बुलबुल नवा, शाहीं अदा

अए करबला, अए करबला

 

अए ग़म के फ़रज़न्दो उठो

अए आरज़ू मंदो उठो

ज़ुल्फ़ों कि गलियों में रवां

दिल की नसीम-ए जां फ़ज़ा

होंटों कि कलियौं में जवां

बू-ए गुल ओ बू-ए वफ़ा

 

आंखों में तारौं की चमक

माथौं पे सूरज की दमक

दिल में जमाल-ए शाम-ए ग़म

रुख़ पर जलाल-ए बे नवा

गूंजी हुई ज़ेर-ए क़दम

तरीख़ की आवाज़-ए पा

शमशीर हैं दस्त-ए दुआ

अए करबला, अए करबला

 

प्यासौं के आगे आएंगे

आएंगे, लाए जाएंगे

आसूदगान-ए जाम-ए जम

सब साहेबान-ए बे करम

खुल जाए गा सारा भरम

झुक जाएंगे तेग़ अलम

पेश-ए सफ़ीरान-ए क़लम

रख़शिंदा है रूह-ए हरम

ताबिन्दा है रू-ए सनम

सरदार के शे’रौं में है

ख़ून-ए शहिदां की ज़िया

अए करबला, अए करबला

karbala – ali sardar jafri

Click here for overall comments and on any passage for meanings and discussion.  ali sardar jafri uses the battle of karbala as a symbol of rebellion against modern day injustice. In karbala, husain, his family and followers were cut off from access to the river. sardar jafri transforms the cry of thirst into a song of rebellion “rajaz ka zamzama”.

phir al-atash1 ki hai sada2
jaise rajaz3 ka zamzama4
phir reg5-e sehra6 par ravaaN7
hai ahl-e dil8 ka kaarvaaN
nahr-e furaat9 aatish bajaaN10
raavi o ganga11 KhuN chakaaN12
1.thirst 2.cry 3.call of war, war song 4.gurgling spring, music, song 5.sand 6.desert 7.flowing 8.people of heart, good people 9.River Euphrates 10.life on fire 11. Rivers Ravi and Ganges 12.dripping/flowing blood
Once again (today) the caravan of the deprived is winding its way through the wilderness/desert (just like husain’s family did). Rivers (all rivers, not just the Euphrates but closer to home – the Ravi and the Ganges) are on fire or flowing with blood – symbolic of oppression and killing.

koii yazid-e vaqt13 ho
ya shimr14 ho ya hurmula15
us ko Khabar16 ho ya na ho
roz-e hisaab17 aane ko hai
nazdiik18 hai roz-e jaza19
aye karbala, aye karbala
13.present day Yazid 14.commander of Yazid’s army who slit Husain’s throat 15.archer of Yazid’s army whose arrow killed Ali Asghar, Husain’s infant son 16.awareness 17.day of reckoning 18.near 19.day of judgement
Modern day oppressors symbolized by yazid, shimr and hurmula may or may not know, but the day of revolution is close at hand. They will be called to judgement. Reward (or punishment) will be administered, O Karbala.

gooNgi1 nahiN hai ye zamiN
gooNga nahiN ye aasmaaN
gooNge nahiN harf o bayaaN2
gooNgi3 agar hai maslehat4
zaKhmauN5 ko milti hai zabaaN
vo KhuN jo rizq-e Khaak6 tha
taabinda7 hai, paainda8 hai
1.voiceless 2.letters and words (of poets) 3.silent, secretive 4.(hidden) purpose 4.wounds 6.food (fodder) for the dust/earth 7.shining 8.firm, durable
The earth and the sky will not remain silent. We will speak out. If your nefarious purpose is hidden, the wounds that you inflict will find tongue. The blood that soaks into the ground shines. It stands tall.

sadiyauN9 ki saffaaki10 sahi
insaan ab bhi zinda hai
zinda hai aijaaz11-e fuGhaaN12
har zarra-e paamaal13 meN
dil ke dhaRakne ki sada
aye karbala, aye karbala
9.centuries 10.cruely 11.miracle 12.appeal, cry 13.trampled particle
You may have inflicted cruelty for centuries but the the cry of the downtrodden is strong and will work miracles. Karbala is the beating of the heart of every downtrodden particle (people made as insignificant as dust).

arsh-e rauunat1 ke Khuda
arz-e sitam2 ke devta
ye Teen aur lohe ke but
ye seem o zar3 ke kibriya4
barood hai jin ki qaba5
rocket ki lai6 jin ki sada
toofan-e Gham se be Khabar
ye kam savaad7 o kam hunar8
nikle haiN lekar aslaha9
1.sky/height of arrogance/hubris 2.land of oppression 3.silver and gold, wealth 4.gods 5.cloak 6.tune, melody, whistle 7.ignorant 8.unskilled 9.weapons
The gods of hubris, the lords of oppression, these tin-horn dictators, the lords of wealth, their robes reeking of gunpowder, their sound nothing but the whistle of rockets, ignorant and uncultured have come out with weapons. All adjectives are clearly aimed at western capitalist/colonial powers.

laikin jal uThi zer-e paa10
reg-e navaah11-e kaazima12
reg-e navaah11-e nainavah12
aandhi hai mashriq13 ki hava
shola’14 filasteeN15 ki fiza16
aye karbala, aye karbala
10.underfoot 12.cities/settlements close to Karbala which figure in the history of that conflict 13.East 14.flame 15.Palestine 16.atmosphere
But under their feet the sands of kazima and nainaveh are on fire. A storm is coming from the East (generally used for socialist revolution). The air of Palestine is on fire. O Karbala, O Karbala.

ye madrase daanishkade1
ilm o hunar2 ke maikade3
in meN kahaaN se aa gaye
ye kargasauN4 ke ghoNsle
ye jahl5 ki parchhaaiyaaN6
leti hui aNgRaaiyaaN
1.house of wisdom 2.knowledge and ability 3.tavern 4.vultures 5.ignorance 6.images, reflections
sardar jafri is taking aim at the “centres of learning” and “experts” who advise governments to go to war. These schools, these houses of wisdom. The taverns of knowledge and talent. They have becomes a roost for vultures. It is as if images of ignorance are waking up.

daanishvaraan-e be-yaqiN7
GhairauN8 ke daftar9 ke amiN10
alfaaz11 ke Khwaaja sara12
in ke tasarruf13 meN nahiN
Khoon-e bahaar-e zindagi
in ke tasarruf meN nahiN
Khoon-e hayaat-e jaavidaaN14
barham15 hai in se raNg-e gul
aazurda16 hai baad-e saba17
aye karbala, aye karbala
7.people of wisdom who have no credibility 8.others 9.affairs 10.keepers 11.words 12.eunuchs incharge of the harem, people who do the bidding of the lord 13.spending, budget, discretion 14.eternal life 15.scattered, disorderly 16.gloomy, dejected 17.morning breeze
They have lost all credibility and have appropriated to themselves the right to manage the affairs of others. They are like eunuchs of the harem and say what their lord wants to hear. They certainly don’t have within their purview the ability to give new/eternal life. Because of them the flowers of the garden have been destroyed and scattered. Because of them the morning breeze (which should be refreshing) is gloomy.

laikin yahi daanishkade1
haiN ishq2 ke aatishkade3
haiN husn4 ke taabishkade5
palte haiN jin ki goad meN
lekar anokha baaNkpan6
asr-e ravaaN7 ke kohkan8
mere javanaan-e chaman9
bulbul nava10, shaahiN ada11
aye karbala, aye karbala
1.house of wisdom 2.love 3.house of fire/passion 4.beauty 5.house of brilliance 6.youth, vigour 7.present times 8.stone cutter, Farhad from the story of Shirin and Farhad. Farhad wielded a pickaxe to cut the mountain to make a river change its flow – a task he had to perform to win the hand of Shirin 9.youth of my garden 10.voice/song like a bulbult 11.style like a hawk
ali sardar jafri turns to praise the younger generation who are raised in the lap of houses of learning, of beauty and of love. They are the present day farhads taking on impossible tasks. The youth of my garden sing melodiously like the bulbul but fly in the powerful style of the hawk.

aye Gham ke farzando1 uTho
aye aarzu mando2 uTho
zulfauN ki galiyauN3 meN ravaaN4
dil ki naseem5-e jaaN faza6
hoNTauN ki kaliyauN meN javaaN
boo-e gul o boo-e vafa7
1.children of the wronged (sorrowful) 2.desirous (of change) 3.street of the beloved (her tresses) 4.flowing 5.breeze 6.life increasing/invigorating 7.promise
sardar jafri is calling upon the youth, the children of the wronged who are desirous of change, to rise. The winds of change which give new life are blowing through the streets of the beloved (the beloved is socialism). The youth carry the fragrance of rose, the fragrance of the promises they make.

aaNkhauN meN taarauN ki chamak
maathauN pe suraj ki damak
dil meN jamaal8-e shaam-e Gham9
ruKh par jalaal10-e be navaa11
gooNji hui zer-e qadam12
tareeKh13 ki aavaz-e pa14
shamshir15 haiN dast-e dua16
aye karbala, aye karbala
8.beauty 9.evening of sorrow (probably shaam-GharibaaN – the evening after the battle of Karbala) 10.anger 11.without voice 12.underfoot 13.history 14.foot fall, the march of history 15.sword 16.hands in prayer
Their (the young generation) eyes bright, their brows glowing. They carry memories of the massacre of the battle. Their faces glowing with the anger of those who have been denied a voice, marching with the tide of history, their hands raised in supplication changed into swords.

pyaasauN ke aage aaeN ge
aaeN ge, laae jaaeN ge
asoodagaan1-e jaam-e jam2
sab saahebaan-e be karam3
khul jaae ga saara bharam
jhuk jaaeN ge teGh o alam4
pesh5-e safeeraan-e qalam6
raKhshinda7 hai rooh-e haram8
taabinda9 hai ruu-e sanam10
sardaar ke sh’erauN meN hai
Khoon-e shahidaaN11 ki zia12
aye karbala, aye karbala
1.enjoying the pleasures of 2.wine cup of Jamshed (symbol of arrogance and power) 3.without kindness i.e.cruel 4.sword and banner 5.in front of 6.ambassadors/messengers of the pen, poets 7.refulgent, shining 8.spirit of the house of Husain i.e.spirit of resistance 9.luminous, bright 10.face of the beloved 11.blood of the martyrs 12.brilliance
The reference to “the thirsty” is also taken from the story of karbala. They (the oppressors) will come before the thirsty (oppressed). They will be brought before the thirsty (to answer), those who have been enjoying draughts of the cup of arrogance and power, the lords of cruelty. All their deceit will be laid open. The sword and banner will bow before the pen.The spirit of resistance, the face of the beloved shine bright. The blood of the martyrs (also a part of the story of karbala) shines in the verse of sardar.

karbala – ali sardar jafri

ali sardar jafri uses the battle of karbala as a symbol of rebellion against modern day injustice. In karbala, husain, his family and followers were cut off from access to the river. sardar jafri transforms the cry of thirst into a song of rebellion “rajaz ka zamzama”.

phir al-atash1 ki hai sada2
jaise rajaz3 ka zamzama4
phir reg5-e sehra6 par ravaaN7
hai ahl-e dil8 ka kaarvaaN
nahr-e furaat9 aatish bajaaN10
raavi o ganga11 KhuN chakaaN12

1.thirst 2.cry 3.call of war, war song 4.gurgling spring, music, song 5.sand 6.desert 7.flowing 8.people of heart, good people 9.River Euphrates 10.life on fire 11. Rivers Ravi and Ganges 12.dripping/flowing blood

Once again (today) the caravan of the deprived is winding its way through the wilderness/desert (just like husain’s family did). Rivers (all rivers, not just the Euphrates but closer to home – the Ravi and the Ganges) are on fire or flowing with blood – symbolic of oppression and killing.

koii yazid-e vaqt13 ho
ya shimr14 ho ya hurmula15
us ko Khabar16 ho ya na ho
roz-e hisaab17 aane ko hai
nazdiik18 hai roz-e jaza19
aye karbala, aye karbala

13.present day Yazid 14.commander of Yazid’s army who slit Husain’s throat 15.archer of Yazid’s army whose arrow killed Ali Asghar, Husain’s infant son 16.awareness 17.day of reckoning 18.near 19.day of judgement

Modern day oppressors symbolized by yazid, shimr and hurmula may or may not know, but the day of revolution is close at hand.  They will be called to judgement.  Reward (or punishment) will be administered, O Karbala.

gooNgi1 nahiN hai ye zamiN
gooNga nahiN ye aasmaaN
gooNge nahiN harf o bayaaN2
gooNgi3 agar hai maslehat4
zaKhmauN5 ko milti hai zabaaN
vo KhuN jo rizq-e Khaak6 tha
taabinda7 hai, paainda8 hai

1.voiceless 2.letters and words (of poets) 3.silent, secretive 4.(hidden) purpose 4.wounds 6.food (fodder) for the dust/earth 7.shining 8.firm, durable

The earth and the sky will not remain silent. We will speak out. If your nefarious purpose is hidden, the wounds that you inflict will find tongue.  The blood that soaks into the ground shines.  It stands tall.

sadiyauN9 ki saffaaki10 sahi
insaan ab bhi zinda hai
zinda hai aijaaz11-e fuGhaaN12
har zarra-e paamaal13 meN
dil ke dhaRakne ki sada
aye karbala, aye karbala

9.centuries 10.cruely 11.miracle 12.appeal, cry 13.trampled particle

You may have inflicted cruelty for centuries but the the cry of the downtrodden is strong and will work miracles. Karbala is the beating of the heart of every downtrodden particle (people made as insignificant as dust).

arsh-e rauunat1 ke Khuda
arz-e sitam2 ke devta
ye Teen aur lohe ke but
ye seem o zar3 ke kibriya4
barood hai jin ki qaba5
rocket ki lai6 jin ki sada
toofan-e Gham se be Khabar
ye kam savaad7 o kam hunar8
nikle haiN lekar aslaha9

1.sky/height of arrogance/hubris 2.land of oppression 3.silver and gold, wealth 4.gods 5.cloak 6.tune, melody, whistle 7.ignorant 8.unskilled 9.weapons

The gods of hubris, the lords of oppression, these tin-horn dictators, the lords of wealth, their robes reeking of gunpowder, their sound nothing but the whistle of rockets, ignorant and uncultured have come out with weapons.  All adjectives are clearly aimed at western capitalist/colonial powers.

laikin jal uThi zer-e paa10
reg-e navaah11-e kaazima12
reg-e navaah11-e nainavah12
aandhi hai mashriq13 ki hava
shola’14 filasteeN15 ki fiza16
aye karbala, aye karbala

10.underfoot 12.cities/settlements close to Karbala which figure in the history of that conflict 13.East 14.flame 15.Palestine 16.atmosphere

But under their feet the sands of kazima and nainaveh are on fire. A storm is coming from the East (generally used for socialist revolution). The air of Palestine is on fire.  O Karbala, O Karbala.

ye madrase daanishkade1
ilm o hunar2 ke maikade3
in meN kahaaN se aa gaye
ye kargasauN4 ke ghoNsle
ye jahl5 ki parchhaaiyaaN6
leti hui aNgRaaiyaaN

1.house of wisdom 2.knowledge and ability 3.tavern 4.vultures 5.ignorance 6.images, reflections

sardar jafri is taking aim at the “centres of learning” and “experts” who advise governments to go to war. These schools, these houses of wisdom.  The taverns of knowledge and talent.  They have becomes a roost for vultures. It is as if images of ignorance are waking up.

daanishvaraan-e be-yaqiN7
GhairauN8 ke daftar9 ke amiN10
alfaaz11 ke Khwaaja sara12
in ke tasarruf13 meN nahiN
Khoon-e bahaar-e zindagi
in ke tasarruf meN nahiN
Khoon-e hayaat-e jaavidaaN14
barham15 hai in se raNg-e gul
aazurda16 hai baad-e saba17
aye karbala, aye karbala

7.people of wisdom who have no credibility 8.others
9.affairs 10.keepers 11.words 12.eunuchs incharge of the harem, people who do the bidding of the lord 13.spending, budget, discretion 14.eternal life 15.scattered, disorderly 16.gloomy, dejected 17.morning breeze

They have lost all credibility and have appropriated to themselves the right to manage the affairs of others.  They are like eunuchs of the harem and say what their lord wants to hear. They certainly don’t have within their purview the ability to give new/eternal life.  Because of them the flowers of the garden have been destroyed and scattered. Because of them the morning breeze (which should be refreshing) is gloomy.

laikin yahi daanishkade1
haiN ishq2 ke aatishkade3
haiN husn4 ke taabishkade5
palte haiN jin ki goad meN
lekar anokha baaNkpan6
asr-e ravaaN7 ke kohkan8
mere javanaan-e chaman9
bulbul nava10, shaahiN ada11
aye karbala, aye karbala

1.house of wisdom 2.love 3.house of fire/passion 4.beauty 5.house of brilliance 6.youth, vigour 7.present times 8.stone cutter, Farhad from the story of Shirin and Farhad. Farhad wielded a pickaxe to cut the mountain to make a river change its flow – a task he had to perform to win the hand of Shirin 9.youth of my garden 10.voice/song like a bulbult 11.style like a hawk

ali sardar jafri turns to praise the younger generation who are raised in the lap of houses of learning, of beauty and of love. They are the present day farhads taking on impossible tasks. The youth of my garden sing melodiously like the bulbul but fly in the powerful style of the hawk.

aye Gham ke farzando1 uTho
aye aarzu mando2 uTho
zulfauN ki galiyauN3 meN ravaaN4
dil ki naseem5-e jaaN faza6
hoNTauN ki kaliyauN meN javaaN
boo-e gul o boo-e vafa7

1.children of the wronged (sorrowful) 2.desirous (of change) 3.street of the beloved (her tresses) 4.flowing 5.breeze 6.life increasing/invigorating 7.promise

sardar jafri is calling upon the youth, the children of the wronged who are desirous of change, to rise. The winds of change which give new life are blowing through the streets of the beloved (the beloved is socialism). The youth carry the fragrance of rose, the fragrance of the promises they make.

aaNkhauN meN taarauN ki chamak
maathauN pe suraj ki damak
dil meN jamaal8-e shaam-e Gham9
ruKh par jalaal10-e be navaa11
gooNji hui zer-e qadam12
tareeKh13 ki aavaz-e pa14
shamshir15 haiN dast-e dua16
aye karbala, aye karbala

8.beauty 9.evening of sorrow (probably shaam-GharibaaN – the evening after the battle of Karbala) 10.anger 11.without voice 12.underfoot 13.history 14.foot fall, the march of history 15.sword 16.hands in prayer

Their (the young generation) eyes bright, their brows glowing. They carry memories of the massacre of the battle. Their faces glowing with the anger of those who have been denied a voice, marching with the tide of history, their hands raised in supplication changed into swords.

pyaasauN ke aage aaeN ge
aaeN ge, laae jaaeN ge
asoodagaan1-e jaam-e jam2
sab saahebaan-e be karam3
khul jaae ga saara bharam
jhuk jaaeN ge teGh o alam4
pesh5-e safeeraan-e qalam6
raKhshinda7 hai rooh-e haram8
taabinda9 hai ruu-e sanam10
sardaar ke sh’erauN meN hai
Khoon-e shahidaaN11 ki zia12
aye karbala, aye karbala

1.enjoying the pleasures of 2.wine cup of Jamshed (symbol of arrogance and power) 3.without kindness i.e.cruel 4.sword and banner 5.in front of 6.ambassadors/messengers of the pen, poets 7.refulgent, shining 8.spirit of the house of Husain i.e.spirit of resistance 9.luminous, bright 10.face of the beloved 11.blood of the martyrs 12.brilliance

The reference to “the thirsty” is also taken from the story of karbala.  They (the oppressors) will come before the thirsty (oppressed).  They will be brought before the thirsty (to answer), those who have been enjoying draughts of the cup of arrogance and power, the lords of cruelty. All their deceit will be laid open. The sword and banner will bow before the pen.The spirit of resistance, the face of the beloved shine bright. The blood of the martyrs (also a part of the story of karbala) shines in the verse of sardar.

One comment:

  1. Very nice explanation n interpretation of this outstanding poem KARBALA.
    Before reading this note I was not able to understand it fully.
    Thanks

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