Har Ek Baat Peh Kahteh Hoh Tum Ki ‘Tu Kya Hain?'
Tum Hee Kaho Ki Yeh Andaaz-E-Guftagu Kya Hain?
[In every conversation, you ask 'what are you?'
You tell me, what sort of a conversation is this?]
- Mirza Ghalib
Seemingly a scorned and sarcastic response of a disquiet lover, the lines by Mirza Ghalib resonate eerily with the contemporary political tumult in the country.
Hailing from a time when the Mughal Empire was at its deathbed, the grandmaster of Urdu literature, Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan Ghalib masterfully explored the complexities of love, loss, and the convolutions of changing times with a depth and nuance unmatched by few. His verses, cloaked in a veneer of romantic longing, often concealed a sharp, witty and incisive critique of society and power.
This particular verse by Ghalib is a profound exploration of human relationships, existential despair, and the intricate pirouette between silence and speech.
It is an expression of the inexpressible - capturing the turmoil of the soul with an elegance that transcends time and place.
There is a resonance in the lines that speaks to my current predicament as an aspiring writer and a journalist working in a deputy editorial role in Bangladesh as the country navigates the treacherous waters of political upheaval.
Opening couplets sets the stage for a dialogue laden with scepticism and existential inquiry.
The poet’s interlocutor questions every statement, seeking to undermine the speaker's confidence.
This persistent interrogation mirrors the experience of many as they plight between professional and personal alignments.
Ragon Mein Daurne Phirne Ke Haam Nahin Kayal,
Jab Ankh Se Hee Na Tapka Toh Phir Lahu Kya Hain?
[I am not impressed with that merely runs about in veins,
Until it drips from the eyes, what sort of blood is it?]
Ghalib rejects superficial displays of vitality, suggesting that true emotion is revealed through tears rather than mere physical existence.
This sentiment resonates deeply with your situation. In an environment where the mainstream media often obfuscates or downplays the gravity of political unrest, the visceral truth of the people’s suffering bleeds through alternative channels, much like the tears Ghalib describes.
Your moral opposition finds expression in the silent acknowledgement of these truths, even if you are constrained from overtly publishing them.
Jala Hain Jism Jaha, Dil Bhi Jal Gaya Hoga,
Khuredte Hoh Jo Ab Rakh Justazu Kya Hain?
[The body has been burnt, heart must have been burnt too,
Scrabbling about in these ashes now what do you search?]
This verse speaks to the futility of seeking remnants of passion in the ashes of destruction. This line poignantly captures the aftermath of the recent violence in Bangladesh, where the ashes of lost lives and shattered dreams speak louder than any headline.
In this existential musing remains the paradox of virtue and vice. In a political climate where public figures are often sanctified or vilified based on their allegiance, one is forced to navigate through the dualities as even those who appear virtuous may be tainted, a reflection of the complex moral landscape.
In this era of digital expression, where social media becomes the battleground for truth and propaganda, words, imbued with the power of truth and resilience, can transcend these barriers.
Despite the verisimilitude, this poem by Mirza Ghalib is not about personal anguish but a timeless commentary on the complexities of the political landscape, offering solace and insight to those who seek understanding amidst turmoil.
