tasveer-e-dard   mohammed iqbal
Overview

“tasveer-e dard” is a beautiful sample of Iqbal’s “universalism” (inclusiveness of the Hindu-Muslim community of the subcontinent) before he adopted a more reactionary position. It is also a fine example of how the tradition of ambiguity and multiple meaning in Urdu poetry came in useful to elude censorship. It is a long composition and can be cosidered divided into seven sections/Ghazals strung together. Each section has its own radeef-qaafiya with a concluding she’r in a different radeef-qaafiya. Themes between sections overlap quite a lot and each excels the other in beauty of composition.

The first section focuses on proclaiming the universality of his message and how it is inevitable that it will spread in spite of its painful content and in spite of the powers to stop/restrict this message.

The second section is a tongue in cheek expression of humility and an expression of mysticism about existence and of “self”. I am a hidden treasure, nobody pays any attention to me, but I say what I see (and I see that which no one else seems to be able to see).

The third section re-inforces the power of the poet’s words and his ability to see far into the future. Here I like to think that Iqbal is NOT talking about himself personally but of “the poet” … every poet. In this section he is also exhorting his country men to listen and look at the disaster that is about to befall them … all because of communalism, infighting and lack of action against the oppressor.

The fourth section is a beautiful and powerful expression of the poet’s determination to set things right, to promote harmony among all the oppressed, so they may present a united front to the oppressor.

The fifth section is a beautiful expression of the poet’s pain at the indifference and backwardness of his countrymen and exhorting them to look outside, learn and to take action.

The sixth section uses sufi mystic themes/vocabulary to preach “universal love”, repeating that discrimination between fellow humans (communalism) is the cause of downfall of nations.

The seventh section re-inforces the theme of “universal love”, declares that it is this that manifests itself in everything, giving it a “god like” quality.

The eighth and concluding section, much like the previous two, repeats the message of Universal Love with Sufi overtones.

It is illustrative to read and compare “tasveer-e-dard” (1904) with “shikwa” (1909). The first nazm is full of Sufi thoughts, universal love, inclusiveness and Hindu-Muslim unity. It is of the same vintage and character as “naya shivala” and “taraana-e-hindi”. The second is bitter, angry, inciteful and divisive. What a difference 5 years makes. During this time Iqbal had lived in England and Germany, completed his post-graduate studies, become stridently Islamic.

tasveer-e dard – Fourth Section

Click here for overall comments and on any passage for meanings and discussion. The fourth section is a beautiful and powerful expression of the poet’s determination to set things right, to promote harmony among all the oppressed, so they may present a united front to the oppressor.

huvaida¹ aaj apne zaKhm-e-pinhaN² kar ke choRunga
lahu ro ro ke mehfil³ ko gulistaN⁴ kar ke choRunga
jalana hai mujhe har shama’ dil ko soz-e-pinhaN⁵ se
teri tareek⁶ raatoN meN chiraGhaN⁷ kar ke chhoRunga
magar GhunchoN⁸ ki surat hoN dil e dard-aashna⁹ paida
chaman meN musht-e-Khaak¹⁰ apni pareshaN¹² kar ke chhoRunga1. reveal 2. hidden wounds 3. assembly 4. garden, colourful, red (with blood) 5. hidden fire 6. dark 7. brilliant, celebration 8. buds 9. familiar with pain (of the other) 10. fistful of dust (humble thoughts) 12. scatter
Today, I will not stop until I make you see my hidden pain. I will cry tears of blood and paint the assembly red. I have to light a lamp of every heart with hidden fire. I will not stop until I light up your dark nights like diwali. That hearts may bloom with sensitivity to the pain of the other. I will spread my humble thoughts throughout the garden.

purona¹ ek hi tasbih² meN in bikhre³ daanoN⁴ ko
jo mushkil hai to is mushkil ko aasaN kar ke chhoRunga
mujhe ae humnashiN⁵ rahne de shuGhl⁶ e seena-kaavi⁷ meN
ke maiN daGh-e-mohabbat⁸ ko numayaN⁹ kar ke chhoRunga
dikha dooNga jahaN ko jo meri aankhoN ne dekha hai
tujhe bhi soorat-e-aaiina¹⁰ hairaaN¹¹ kar ke chhoRunga1. to string 2. rosary, string (of prayer beads) 3. scattered 4. beads, pearls (used here to mean communities – Hindu and Muslim 5. countryman 6. pre-occupation 7. chest beating 8. scar/pain of love 9. prominent 10. like the mirror (of the heart, inner eye) 11. surprised, puzzled
Stringing these scattered pearls (communities) into the same string may be difficult, but I will not stop until I succeed. O my countrymen, allow me to keep beating my bosom. I want to lay bare the love that is in my heart. I will show the world that which my eyes have seen. You too will marvel at the beauty of this sight.

jo hai pardoN meN pinhaN¹ chashm-e-bina² dekh leti hai
zamane-ki-tabi’yat³ ka taqaaza⁴ dekh leti hai1. hidden 2. seeing/discerning eye 3. mood of the times 4. demands
The discerning eye can see through veils. It understands the demands of time.