Sahir Ludhianvi was a different kind of Urdu poet, who contributed majorly in enriching the film world of our country with new wave of thoughts. His poetry infused words with a sense of rebellion, a rare appreciation of human values. I would always carry a different message, even when understanding his poetry, particularly being rich in Urdu, for its intrinsic values ingrained within.
I have long thought of attempting his work for transliteration, but always avoided as I am very weak getting correct expression of words written in Urdu, one of finest and purest languages in the world; yet I shamelessly did it and bear the courage even to share it...
The world
of these mansions, thrones and the crowns,
The world
of those societies, hostile to the mankind,
The world,
infected with an endless greed for wealth;
What
matters if such a world is bequeathed to us?
Each one is
wounded, every soul is thirsty,
Eyes bear
only confused glances, and souls are dampened;
Is it a
world or a formless expanse of an unconscious whole?
So, what if
such a world is bestowed upon us?
Where
human attainment is just a piece of plaything,
It is nothing
but the land of the worshippers of death,
Death
still comes cheaper here than life;
What if
such a world is bequeathed to the mankind?
The prime
of youth gets distracted by misperceived growth,
The
blooming beauties are saleable pieces on the floor,
Where love
is a nothing but a trading deal;
Does it
matter even if such a world is conferred upon?
It is such
a world, where mankind is never valued,
Neither commitment
is respected nor a friendship,
Where
love doesn’t get the honour of love even;
If such a
world is gifted, does it matter even?
Ignite
the flame, burn down this world, blow it up!
Remove this
world from the frame of my sight,
It is all
yours and you take care of it, if you like;
So, what if
such a world is even given away to me?
