Aaj Bazaar main by Faiz

[esperante]

Have some more Faiz!

I found a video of Faiz reading out one of his poems... only 'reading out' doesn't seem enough to describe a mushairah, with this intimate atmosphere, a responsive audience. It's too beautiful not to share.

(english translation below)
Chashm-e Nam, Jan-e Shoreeda kafi nahin
Thumat-e Ishq poshida kafi nahin,
Aaj bazaar mein pa-bajolan chalo

Dast afshan chalo, Mast o Raqsaan chalo
Khaq bar sar chalo, khon bad-aman chalo
Rah takta ha sab Shahr-e Janaan chalo

Hakim-e Shaher bhi, Mujmaa-e Aam bhi,
Teer-i Ilzam bhi, Sang-e Dushnam bhi,
Subh nashaad bhi, Roz-i nakam bhi

Un ka dam saz apnay siva kon hai
Shehr-e Janaan mein ab ba-Sufa kon hai,
Dast-Katil kay shaiyan raha kon hai

Rakht-i dil bandh lo, dil fogaro chalo
Phir hamien Katl ho aiyn, Yaro Chalo

—–

A wet eye, a shaken life is not enough,
The accusation of a hidden love is not enough,
With feet in chains, Let us go in public today.

Let us go with palms exposed, with a song and dance,
with dirt in our hair, with blood on our chest,
Let us go while the entire city of lovers watches.

For the warden of the city, and the crowd of the commoners,
And the arrows of accusation, and the stones of abuse,
And the glum morning, and the failing day,

Who is there to give them life except us?
Who is ready in this city except us?
Who is honorable enough for the killer’s hand except us?

Pack up your belongings O Injured heart ones!
Let us go friends and get killed once again.
- Faiz Ahmed Faiz, 1959 (Lahore Jail)


I got the above translation in an email, and have not been able to track down who it's by. If anyone knows of a different/better version, please do share!

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

The poem is very pleasant and though i understand the verses myself I'm unable to intimate the exact meaning... It would be better if I get a summary for this poem in very easy urdu that which anybody and everybody can understand after reading or listening to