3-jismoN ki tijaarat hone lagi-sahir

For word meanings and explanatory discussion in English click on the “Roman” or “Notes” tab.

پرچھائیاں  ۔  جسموں  کی  تجارت  ہونے  لگی  –  ساحرؔ  لدھیانوی

۱

وہ  لمحے  کتنے  دِلکش  تھے  وہ  گھڑیاں  کتنی  پیاری  تھیں

وہ  سہرے  کتنے  نازک  تھے،  وہ  لڑیاں  کتنی  پیاری  تھیں

بستی  کی  ہر  اک  شاداب  گلی  خوابوں  کا  جزیرہ  تھی  گویا

ہر  موجِ  نفس،  ہر  موجِ  صبا،  نغموں  کا  ذخیرہ  تھی  گویا

۲

ناگاہ  لہکتے  کھیتوں  سے  ٹاپوں  کی  صدائیں  آنے  لگیں

بارود  کی  بوجھل  بو  لے  کر  پچھم  سے  ہوائیں  آنے  لگیں

تعمیر  کے  روشن  چہرے  پر  تخریب  کا  بادل  پھیل  گیا

ہر  گاوٗں  میں  وحشت  ناچ  اُٹھی،  ہر  شہر  میں  جنگل  پھیل  گیا

۳

مغرب  کے  مہذّب  ملکوں  سے  کچھ  خاکی  وردی  پوش  آئے

اِٹھلاتے  ہوئے  مغرور  آئے،  لہراتے  ہوئے  مدہوش  آئے

خاموش  زمیں  کے  سینے  میں  خیموں  کی  طنابیں  گڑنے  لگیں

مکّھن  سی  ملُائم  راہوں  پر  بوٹوں  کی  خراشیں  پڑنے  لگیں

۴

فوجوں  کے  بھیانک  بینڈ  تلے،  چرخوں  کی  صدائیں  ڈوب  گئیں

جیپوں  کی  سلگتی  دھول  تلے  پھولوں  کی  قبائیں  ڈوب  گئیں

اِنسان  کی  قیمت  گرنے  لگی،  اجناس  کے  بھاؤ  چڑھنے  لگے

چوپال  کی  رونق  گھٹنے  لگی  بھرتی  کے  دفاتر  بڑھنے  لگے

۵

بستی  کے  سجیلے  شوخ  جواں  بن  بن  کے  سپاہی  جانے  لگے

جس  راہ  سے  کم  ہی  لوٹ  سکے  اُس  راہ  پہ  راہی  جانے  لگے

اُن  جانے  والے  دستوں  میں  غیرت  بھی  گئی  برنائی  بھی

ماؤں  کے  جواں  بیٹے  بھی  گئے  بہنوں  کے  چہیتے  بھائی  بھی

۶

بستی  پہ  اُداسی  چھانے  لگی،  میلوں  کی  بہاریں  ختم  ہوئیں

آموں  کی  لچکتی  شاخوں  سے  جھولوں  کی  قطاریں  ختم  ہوئیں

دھول  اُڑنے  لگی  بازاروں  میں،  بھوک  اُگنے  لگی  کھلیانوں  میں

ہر  چیز  دکانوں  سے  اُٹھ  کر  روپوش  ہوئی  تہہ  خانوں  میں

۷

بدحال  گھروں  کی  بدحالی،  بڑھتے  بڑھتے  جنجال  بنی

مہنگائی  بڑھ  کر  کال  بنی،  ساری  بستی  کنگال  بنی

چرواہیاں  رستہ  بھول  گئیں،  پنہاریاں  پنگھٹ  چھوڑ  گئیں

کتنی  ہی  کنواری  ابلائیں  ماں  باپ  کی  چوکھٹ  چھوڑ  گئیں

۸

اِفلاس  زدہ  دہقانوں  کے  ہل  بیل  بکے  کھلیان  بکے

جینے  کی  تمنّا  کے  ہاتھوں  جینے  کے  ہی  سب  سامان  بکے

کچھ  بھی  نہ  رہا  جب  بکنے  کو،  جسموں  کی  تجارت  ہونے  لگی

خلوت  میں  بھی  جو  ممنوع  تھی  وہ  جلوت  میں  جسارت  ہونے  لگی

परछाईयां – जिस्मों की तिजारत होने लगी – साहर लुधियानवी

वो लम्हे कितने दिलकश थे, वो घड़ियाँ कितनी प्यारी थीं
वो सेहरे कितने नाज़ुक थे, वो लड़ियाँ कितनी प्यारी थीं
बस्ती की हर एक शादाब गली, ख़्वाबों का जज़ीरा थी गोया
हर मौज ए नफ़स, हर मौज ए सबा, नग़मौं का ज़ख़ीरा थी गोया


नागाह लहकते खेतों से टापों की सदाएं आने लगीं
बारूद की बोझल बू ले कर पच्छिम से हवाएं आने लगीं
तामीर के रौशन चेहरे पर, तख़रीब का बादल फैल गया
हर गाँव में वहशत नाच उठी, हर शहर में जंगल फैल गया

मग़्रिब के मोहज़्ज़िब मुल्कों से कुछ ख़ाकी वर्दी पोश आए
इठलाते हुए मग़्रूर आये, लहराते हुए मदहोश आए
ख़ामोश ज़मीं के सीने में ख़ैमौं की तनाबें गड़ने लगीं
मक्खन सी मुलायम राहों पर बूटों की ख़राशें पड़ने लगीं


फ़ौजों के भयानक बैंड तले चर्ख़ौं की सदाएं डूब गईं
जीपौं की सुलगती धूल तले फूलों की क़बाएं डूब गईं
इंसान की क़ीमत गिरने लगी, अज्नास के भाऊ चढ़ने लगे

चौपाल की रौनक़ घटने लगी, भर्ती के दफ़ातर बढ़ने लगे

बस्ती के सजीले शूख़ जवां, बन बन के सिपाही जाने लगे
जिस राह से कम ही लौट सके उस राह पे राही जाने लगे
उन जाने वाले दस्तों में, ग़ैरत भी गई बरनाई भी
माओं के जवां बेटे भी गए, बहनों के चहीते भाई भी


बस्ती पे उदासी छाने लगी, मेलों की बहारें ख़त्म हुईं
आमों की लचकती शाख़ों से झूलों की क़तारें ख़त्म हुईं
धूल उड़ने लगी बाज़ारों में, भूक उगने लगी खलियानों में
हर चीज़ दुकानों से उठ कर रूपोश हुई तहख़ानों में

बद हाल घरों की बद हाली बढ़ते बढ़ते जंजाल बनी
महंगाई बढ़ कर काल बनी, सारी बस्ती कंगाल बनी
चरवाहियाँ रस्ता भूल गईं, पनहारियाँ पनघट छोड़ गईं
कितनी ही कुंवारी अब्लाएं, मां बाप की चौखट छोड़ गईं


इफ़्लास ज़दा दहक़ानों के हल बैल बिके, खलियान बिके
जीने की तमन्ना के हाथों, जीने ही के सब सामान बिके
कुछ भी न रहा जब बिकने को, जिस्मों की तिजारत होने लगी

ख़ल्वत में भी जो मम्नूं थी वो, जल्वत में जसारत होने लगी

 

Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. sahir ludhianavi (1921-1980) progressive poet writing in chaste yet relatively easily understood urdu. He brought the quality of urdu nazm to movie songs and raised the standards to a high level. Supported labour movements. The third part of his long nazm, parchhaaiyaaN, the poet describes the turn of conditions with the advent of war.
1
vo lamhe1 kitne dilkash2 the, vo ghaRiyaN3 kitni pyaari theeN
vo sehre4 kitne nazuk5 the, vo laRiyaN6 kitni pyaari theeN
basti ki har ek shadaab7 gali, KhwaboN ka jazira8 thi goya
har mauj e nafas9, har mauj e saba10, naGhmoN11 ka zaKhira12 thi goya
1.moment 2.pleasant 3.moment 4.garlands 5.delicate 6.strings (of flowers) 7.verdant 8.island of dreams 9.wave of breath 10.gust of morning breeze 11.songs 12.treasure
The poet reminisces about how life was simple and happy before the advent of colonial forces and the beginning of occupation. Those fleeting moments so beautiful, those times so lovely, happy moments strung delicately together like garlands of flowers. Every lane of the village, a refreshing island of dreams, every breath, every gust of morning breeze a treasure house of melody and celebration.

2
nagaah13 lahakte14 khetoN se TaapoN15 ki sadaeN16 aane lagiN
barood ki bojhal17 boo le kar pachhim18 se havaeN aane lagiN
taamir19 ke raushan20 chehre par, taKhrib21 ka badal phail gaya
har gaauN me vahshat22 naach uThhi, har shahr meN jangal phail gaya
13.suddenly 14.lush 15.hooves 16.sounds 17.faint 18.west 19.civilization 20.brilliant 21.desolation 22.fear, terror
Suddenly amid lush fields, the tapping of hooves, winds from the west with the faint smell of gunpowder, the brilliance of peaceful life, clouded with desolation. Terror danced in every village, fear gripped every city.

3
maGhrib23 ke muhazzib24 mulkoN se kuchh Khaaki vardi posh25 aaye
iThlaate26 hue maGhrur27 aaye, lahrate28 hue madhosh29 aaye
Khaamosh30 zamiN ke seene men KhaimoN31 ki tanaabeN32 gaRne lagiN
makkhan si mulayam rahoN33 par booToN ki KharaasheN34 paRne lagiN
23.west 24.civilized 25.brown uniformed 26.menacing 27.proud 28.staggering 29.intoxicated 30.silent, peaceful 31.tents 32.tent poles 33.pathways 34.scratches
From the civilized countries of the west they came, clad in khaki uniforms. They came with a menacing gait, drunk with power. Tent poles dug into the bosom of the silent earth. The gentle byways of the village, scratched by hard boots.

4
faujoN ke bhayanak band tale charKhon35 ki sadaeN36 Doob gayiN
jeepoN ki sulagti dhool tale phuloN ki qabaen37 Doob gayiN
insaan ki qeemat girne lagi, ajnas38 ke bhau chaRhne lage
chaupal39 ki raunaq40 ghaTne lagi, bharti41 ke dafaatir42 baRhne lage
35.spinning wheels 36.sounds 37.apron, field 38.grains 39.village square 40.brilliance 41.recruitment 42.offices
The fearsome marching band, drowned out the sound of spinning wheel, fields of flowers were blanketed in the hot dust of jeeps. Life itself was devalued even as the price of grain went up. The glory and fellowship of the village square gave way to busy recruiting centres.

5
basti ke sajile shooKh43 javaaN, ban ban ke sipahi jaane lage
jis raah se kam hi lauT sakey us raah pe raahi jaane lage
un jaane vaale dastoN44 meN, Ghairat45 bhi gayi barnaai46 bhi
maaoN ke javaaN bete bhi gaye, bahnoN ke chaheetey bhai bhi
3.playful 44.platoon 45.respect 46.youth, vigour
Fast forward to war and conflict – young men recruited away and sent off as fodder of war. With the departure of young men there are further changes in life, loss of loved ones, loss of dignity, loss of local traditions, shortages resulting in extreme want and famine. Handsome, playful young men of the village were sent off to war, on a path from which few return. With the departing units also went all vigor and self-respect. Mothers saw their sons depart, sisters too their beloved brothers.

6
basti pe udaasi chhaane lagi, melauN ki bahaareN Khatm huiN
aamoN ki lachakti shaKhon se jhooloN ki qataareN47 khatm huiN
dhool uRne lagi bazaroN meN, bhook ugne lagi khaliyaanoN48 meN
har cheez dukaanoN se uTh kar ruuposh hui tehKhaanoN49 meN
47.lines, queues 48.grain stores/silos 49.hidden underground storehouses
Gloom descended on the village. No more throngs at the village fair. Playful swings disappeared from supple mango branches. Dust blew in the bazar, granaries turned into store-houses of hunger. Everything disappeared from shops into the underground.

7
bad haal50 gharoN ki bad haali baRhte baRhte janjaal51 bani
mahangaai baRh kar kaal52 bani, saari basti kaNgaal53 bani
charvaahiyaN rasta bhool gayiN, panhaariyaN54 panghaT55 chhoR gayiN
kitni hi kuNwaari ablaaeN56, maaN baap ki chaukhaT57 chhoR gayiN
50.destitute 51.entangled, mired 52.famine 53.paupered 54.girls fetching water 55.river bank for getting water 56.violated woman 57.threshold, home 58.poverty stricken
Already destitute homes, becoming more so, were mired in want. Rising prices spiraled into famine, whole villages were paupered. No more tending of cows or fetching water, many a young maiden, left the shelter of her parents homes.

8
iflaas zada58 dahqaanoN59 ke hal bayl bikey, khaliyaan60 bikey
jeene ki tamanna61 ke haathoN, jeene hi ke sab saamaan bikey
kuchh bhi na raha jab bikne ko, jismoN ki tijaarat62 hone lagi
Khilwat63 meN bhi jo mamnuN64 thi vo, jilwat65 meN jisaarat66 hone lagi
59.farmer 60.grain store 61.desire 62.trade 63.privacy 64.forbidden 65.openly 66.daring
Pauperized farmers lost their plough, their oxen and their granaries. The very means of survival sold, to meet the demands of survival. When there was nothing else to sell, bodies were traded. That which was forbidden even in secret, was now done openly.

sahir ludhianavi (1921-1980) progressive poet writing in chaste yet relatively easily understood urdu.  He brought the quality of urdu nazm to movie songs and raised the standards to a high level.  Supported labour movements.  The third part of his long nazm, parchhaaiyaaN, the poet describes the turn of conditions with the advent of war.
1
vo lamhe1 kitne dilkash2 the, vo ghaRiyaN3 kitni pyaari theeN
vo sehre4 kitne nazuk5 the, vo laRiyaN6 kitni pyaari theeN
basti ki har ek shadaab7 gali, KhwaboN ka jazira8 thi goya
har mauj e nafas9, har mauj e saba10, naGhmoN11 ka zaKhira12 thi goya

1.moment 2.pleasant 3.moment 4.garlands 5.delicate 6.strings (of flowers) 7.verdant 8.island of dreams 9.wave of breath 10.gust of morning breeze 11.songs 12.treasure

The poet reminisces about how life was simple and happy before the advent of colonial forces and the beginning of occupation. Those fleeting moments so beautiful, those times so lovely, happy moments strung delicately together like garlands of flowers. Every lane of the village, a refreshing island of dreams,  every breath, every gust of morning breeze a treasure house of melody and celebration.
2
nagaah13 lahakte14 khetoN se TaapoN15 ki sadaeN16 aane lagiN
barood ki bojhal17 boo le kar pachhim18 se havaeN aane lagiN
taamir19 ke raushan20 chehre par, taKhrib21 ka badal phail gaya
har gaauN me vahshat22 naach uThhi, har shahr meN jangal phail gaya

13.suddenly 14.lush 15.hooves 16.sounds 17.faint 18.west 19.civilization 20.brilliant 21.desolation 22.fear, terror

Suddenly amid lush fields, the tapping of hooves, winds from the west with the faint smell of gunpowder, the brilliance of peaceful life, clouded with desolation. Terror danced in every village, fear gripped every city.
3
maGhrib23 ke muhazzib24 mulkoN se kuchh Khaaki vardi posh25 aaye
iThlaate26 hue maGhrur27 aaye, lahrate28 hue madhosh29 aaye
Khaamosh30 zamiN ke seene men KhaimoN31 ki tanabeN32 gaRne lagiN
makkhan si mulayam rahoN33 par booToN ki KharasheN34 paRne lagiN

23.west 24.civilized 25.brown uniformed 26.menacing 27.proud 28.staggering 29.intoxicated 30.silent, peaceful 31.tents 32.tent poles 33.pathways 34.scratches

From the civilized countries of the west they came, clad in khaki uniforms. They came with a menacing gait, drunk with power. Tent poles dug into the bosom of the silent earth. The gentle byways of the village, scratched by hard boots.
4
faujoN ke bhayanak band tale charKhon35 ki sadaeN36 Doob gayiN
jeepoN ki sulagti dhool tale phuloN ki qabaen37 Doob gayiN
insaan ki qeemat girne lagi, ajnas38 ke bhau chaRhne lage
chaupal39 ki raunaq40 ghaTne lagi, bharti41 ke dafaatir42 baRhne lage

35.spinning wheels 36.sounds 37.apron, field 38.grains 39.village square 40.brilliance 41.recruitment 42.offices

The fearsome marching band, drowned out the sound of spinning wheel, fields of flowers were blanketed in the hot dust of jeeps. Life itself was devalued even as the price of grain went up. The glory and fellowship of the village square gave way to busy recruiting centres.
5
basti ke sajile shooKh43 javaaN, ban ban ke sipahi jaane lage
jis raah se kam hi lauT sakey us raah pe raahi jaane lage
un jaane vaale dastoN44 meN, Ghairat45 bhi gayi barnaai46 bhi
maaoN ke javaaN bete bhi gaye, bahnoN ke chaheetey bhai bhi

43.playful 44.platoon 45.respect 46.youth, vigour

Fast forward to war and conflict – young men recruited away and sent off as fodder of war. With the departure of young men there are further changes in life, loss of loved ones, loss of dignity, loss of local traditions, shortages resulting in extreme want and famine. Handsome, playful young men of the village were sent off to war, on a path from which few return. With the departing units also went all vigor and self-respect. Mothers saw their sons depart, sisters too their beloved brothers.
6
basti pe udaasi chhaane lagi, melauN ki bahaareN Khatm huiN
aamoN ki lachakti shaKhon se jhooloN ki qataareN47 khatm huiN
dhool uRne lagi bazaroN meN, bhook ugne lagi khaliyaanoN48 meN
har cheez dukaanoN se uTh kar ruuposh hui tehKhaanoN49 meN

47.lines, queues 48.grain stores/silos 49.hidden underground storehouses

Gloom descended on the village. No more throngs at the village fair. Playful swings disappeared from supple mango branches. Dust blew in the bazar, granaries turned into store-houses of hunger. Everything disappeared from shops into the underground.
7
bad haal50 gharoN ki bad haali baRhte baRhte janjaal51 bani
mahangaai baRh kar kaal52 bani, saari basti kaNgaal53 bani
charvaahiyaN rasta bhool gayiN, panhaariyaN54 panghaT55 chhoR gayiN
kitni hi kuNwaari ablaaeN56, maaN baap ki chaukhaT57 chhoR gayiN

50.destitute 51.entangled, mired 52.famine 53.paupered 54.girls fetching water 55.river bank for getting water 56.violated woman 57.threshold, home 58.poverty stricken

Already destitute homes, becoming more so, were mired in want. Rising prices spiraled into famine, whole villages were paupered. No more tending of cows or fetching water, many a young maiden, left the shelter of her parents homes.
8
iflaas zada58 dahqaanoN59 ke hal bayl bikey, khaliyaan60 bikey
jeene ki tamanna61 ke haathoN, jeene hi ke sab saamaan bikey
kuchh bhi na raha jab bikne ko, jismoN ki tijaarat62 hone lagi
Khilwat63 meN bhi jo mamnuN64 thi vo, jilwat65 meN jisaarat66 hone lagi

59.farmer 60.grain store 61.desire 62.trade 63.privacy 64.forbidden 65.openly 66.daring

Pauperized farmers lost their plough, their oxen and their granaries. The very means of survival sold, to meet the demands of survival. When there was nothing else to sell, bodies were traded. That which was forbidden even in secret, was now done openly.