Sahir Ludhianvi (1921-1980) translated from the Hindi-Urdu by Alverston
& Associates
Whose blood is this?
Look here, if but for a fleeting moment!
Alleged pedigreed guiders of nations!
Look up and meet our glowing gaze!
Allow us to hear something or anything,
Let us discern, let us differentiate!
Permit us to hear something or anything,
Whose blood is this?
Who got killed?
When did that passion emanate,
That which embraced the primitive?
In the scorched desolate garden,
One flower of hope and credence did bloom!
Blood of the public joined that of the armed forces!
Blood of the armed forces joined that of the public!
Look here! Alleged pedigreed guiders of nations!
Whose blood is this?
Who got killed?
Look here! Tell us!
Alleged pedigreed guiders of nations!
Whose blood is this?
Who got killed?
Those who died singing your triumphs
Were flops!
Which passerby is immoral anyway?
Were those resolute soldiers who sprang up
Holding the national flags immoral duds?
Those unable to bear the burdens of servitude
Were such suspects munificently immoral?
Whose blood is this?
Who got killed?
Look here! Tell us!
Alleged pedigreed guiders of nations!
Whose blood is this?
Who got killed?
Look here! The people are undertaking oaths of sincerity!
You, the deliverers of message of immortality
Now why shy away from the blaze instituted?
You, the ones fanning the flames!
You, alleged pedigreed guiders of nations
Fanning the flames!
Now why are you, alleged pedigreed guiders of nations
Frightened of the deluge?
You are the ones giving voice to the surging insurgencies!
Had you forgotten your own clamor?
Look here! Tell us!
Alleged pedigreed guiders of nations!
Whose blood is this?
Who got killed?
Very well!
There is only hope for compromise if
As well the governments’ promises are true!
All right! You do admit that the practice
Of oppression is not a fable!
Certainly! Even the promises of love may be true!
But do not pierce the hearts of your own!
Even if the rivals’ bargaining points are exacting and true,
Don’t shake off democracy for revenge!
Look here! Tell us! Alleged pedigreed guiders of nations!
Whose blood is this? Who got killed?
We are self-determining.
We will be ready to collide with every oppressor.
You keep hope for reliance.
We will keep marching forward.
We take oath on each and every destination of emancipation,
We will recapitulate our pledge upon every destination.
Whose blood is this?
Who got killed?
Look here!
Tell us!
Alleged pedigreed guiders of nations!
Sahir Ludhianvi (1921-1980) translated from the Hindi-Urdu by Alverston
& Associates
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