Speak / बोल
I’ve been trying to expose myself to Hindustani (Hindi-Urdu) poetry lately, and so I picked up this collection of poems by Faiz Ahmed Faiz called ‘The colors of my heart’. One poem in particular resonates, as it captures a timeless call to action against misuse of power in the world with the required spirit. It’s aptly titled “Bol / बोल”, which means Speak.
Below is the English translation of the poem by Baran Farooqi, followed by a transliteration of the original Hindustani verse by Faiz.
Speak, for your lips are free
Speak, for your tongue is still yours
Your upright body belongs to you
Speak, for your soul still is yours
Look, how in the blacksmith’s shop
The embers are hot, the iron glows
The mouths of the locks are being opened
Chains lengthen their reach
Speak, for the little time that you have is sufficient
Before the death of body and tongue
Speak, for the truth still lives
Speak, say all that is to be said
Bol ki lab azaad hain tere
Bol zabaan ab tak teri hai
Tera sutvaan jism hai tera
Bol ki jaan ab tak teri hai
Dekh ki aahan-gar ki dukaan mein
Tund hain shole surkh hai aahan
Khulne lage quflon ke dahaane
Phaila har ik zanjeer ka daaman
Bol yeh thoda waqt bahut hai
Jism-o zabaan ki maut se pehle
Bol ki sach zinda hai ab tak
Bol jo kuchh kehna hai keh le
