Here is a famous poem by Sahir Ludhyanvi (1921-1980) bemoaning and protesting the plight of women during his time. Since then, I don’t think much has changed. Reading the poem reminded me of a clip I watched not too long ago
about prostitution in the Muslamic Republic of Pakistan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88FojG1lWsA
viewer discretion advised
I intend not to keep you from the poem, I assume an intelligent audience who can draw analysis and meaning for themselves, only that I note my translation is casual and not strictly literal. If anyone feels I have betrayed the poem in my
attempt, kindly leave a comment. I shall see to it and amend as appropriate.
Each person is invited to think about how they can help change the situation in their capacity. Even if this gets people to think, I will consider it one step in the right direction. Anything to get people out of their perilous complacence and apathy.
Lastly, I would like to dedicate this to an Afghan friend who related her moving childhood experience of feigning masculinity in order to pursue education. Keep strong!
———
عورت نے جنم دیا مردوں کو، مردوں نے اُسے بازار دیا
جب جی چاہا مسلا کچلا، جب جی چاہا دھتکار دیا
The woman gave birth to men, men gave her the bazaar
He exploits as he wishes, and dumps her as he wishes
تُلتی ہے کہیں دیناروں میں، بِکتی ہے کہیں بازاروں میں
ننگی نچوائی جاتی ہے عیاشوں کے درباروں میں
یہ وہ بے عزت چیز ہے جو بِٹ جاتی ہے عزت داروں میں
عورت نے جنم دیا مردوں کو، مردوں نےاُسے بازار دیا
She is weighed in dinars in places, and sold in bazaars at others
She is made to dance naked in the courts of rich playboys
This is the humiliating thing which is shared amongst the respectful
The woman gave birth to men, men gave her the bazaar
مردوں کے لیے ہر ظلم روا، عورت کے لیے رونا بھی خطا
مردوں کے لیے ہر عیش کا حق، عورت کے لیے جینا بھی سزا
مردوں کے لیے لاکھوں سیجیں، عورت کے لیے بس اِک چِتا
عورت نے جنم دیا مردوں کو، مردوں نے اُسے بازار دیا
Every oppression for men is fitting, but even crying is a sin for women
For men is the right to every luxury, but even life is a punishment for women
Men have thousands of beds, women only have a pyre
The woman gave birth to men, men gave her the bazaar
جن سینوں نے ان کو دودھ دیا ان سینوں کا بیوپار کیا
جس کوکھ میں ان کا جسم ڈھلا اس کوکھ کا کاروبار کیا
جس تن سے اُُگے کونپل بن کر اس تن کو ذلیل و خوار کیا
(عورت نے جنم دیا مردوں کو، مردوں نے اُسے بازار دیا)
The breasts that gave them milk, those breasts are traded
The womb in which their bodies were nurtured, that womb is marketed
The body from which they grew as soft delicate flower buds, they humiliated and disgraced that body
(The woman gave birth to men, men gave her the bazaar)
سنسار کی ہر اک بے شرمی غربت کی گود میں پلتی ہے
چکلوں ہی میں آ کر رُکتی ہے، فاقوں سے جو راہ نکلتی ہے
مردوں کی ہوس ہے جو اکثر عورت کے پاپ میں ڈھلتی ہے
عورت نے جنم دیا مردوں کو، مردوں نے اُسے بازار دیا
She is raised upon every humiliation of earth and in the arms of poverty
She turns to prostitution, a path to deliver her from poverty
It is the desires of men that are often garbed as the shameful sins of women
The woman gave birth to men, men gave her the bazaar
عورت سنسار کی قسمت ہے پھر بھی تقدیر کی ہیٹی ہے
اوتار پیمبر جنتی ہے پھر بھی شیطان کو بیٹی ہے
یہ وہ بد قسمت ماں ہے جو بیٹوں کی سیج پہ لیٹی ہے
عورت نے جنم دیا مردوں کو، مردوں نے اُسے بازار دیا
The woman is the fortune of the world, yet she remains the shame/pity of fate
She gave birth to angelic prophets, yet is daughter to Satan
This is the unfortunate mother that is lying on the bed of sons
The woman gave birth to men, men gave her the bazaar
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