by B. R. GOWANI (translation of Sahir Ludhianvi’s Hindi/Urdu poem)
today, intoxicate me so that I remember nothing
increase my stupor such that I remember nothing
.
what is friendship, fidelity, and love, after all
what’s a heart’s worth, the value of feeling, after all
I am enlightened now about the truth, after all
just pray for me a little that I remember nothing
today, intoxicate me so that I remember nothing
.
both penury and the style of the affluent, I’ve witnessed
the sad environment and happy atmosphere I’ve witnessed
how the winds of altered fortunes blow, I’ve witnessed
extinguish the flame of memories so I remember nothing
today, intoxicate me so that I remember nothing
.
love is a bunch of restless thoughts and nothing else
beauty is a set of soulless glow and nothing else
life is just a few questions and nothing else
erase every query so thoroughly that I remember nothing
today, intoxicate me so that I remember nothing
.
the custom of hatred won’t erase from our world, that’s true
nor will the soul’s wounds ever get healed, that’s true
empire is tyranny, God: superstition, society: trouble is true
put my mind to sleep in a way that I remember nothing
today, intoxicate me so that I remember nothing
increase my stupor such that I remember nothing
.
(The following is the original Sahir poem in Hindi/Roman script.)
Aj is darjA pilA do ke na kuchh yAd rahe
Aj is darjA pilA do ke na kuchh yAd rahe
Aj is darjA pilA do ke na kuchh yAd rahe
bekudi itani badhA do ke na kuch yAd rahe
Aj is darjA pilA do ke na kuchh yAd rahe
dosti kyA hai, wafA kyA hai muhabbt kyA hai
dil kA kyA mol hai ehsAs ki keemat kyA hai
hamane sab jAn liyA hai ke haqeeqat kyA hai
Aj bas itni duA do ke na kuchh yAd rahe
Aj is darjA pilA do ke na kuchh yAd rahe
muflisi dekhee, ameeri ki adA dekh chuke
gam ka mAhaul, masarrat ki fizA dekh chuke
kaise phirti hai zamAne ki hawA dekh chuke
shamA yAdoN ki bujhA do, ke na kuch yAd rahe
Aj is darjA pilA do ke na kuchh yAd rahe
ishq bechain khayAloN ke siwA kuchh bhi nahi
husn berooh ujAlon ke siwA kuchh bhi nahi
zindagi chand sawAloN ke siwA kuchh bhi nahi
har sawAl aise mitA do ke na kuchh yAd rahe
Aj is darjA pilA do ke na kuchh yAd rahe
mit na pAegA jahAn se kabhi nafarat kA riwAj
ho na pAegA kabhi rooh ke zakhmoN ka ilAj
saltanat zulm, KhudA vaham museebat hai samAj
zahan ko aise sula do ke na kuch yAd rahe
Aj is darjA pila do ke na kuchh yAd rahe
bekhudi itni badhA do ke na kuchh yAd rahe
Aj is darjA pilA do ke na kuchh yAd rahe
B. R. Gowani can be reached at brgowani@hotmail.com