Quote:
Guys, many of you know I endeavour to improve my Panjabi language skills when I have a chance. The latest manifestation of this is an attempt to translate a poem by a Panjabi kavi. I know nothing about the background of the writer as of yet. When I find out I will let you know.
I think it is important that I clarify my own personal position as the subject of the poem is a very sensitive issue politically and culturally. I strongly believe it is important to allow people to express their views, especially when they have been denied the opportunity to do this. I also think it is a good idea to encourage creative writing in general. With the global spread of Panjabis and a growing interest interest in both Panjabi culture and Sikhism, our own body of literature must develop and reflect the internal feelings of members of the quom and our experiences for posterity. Like all good literature, this should be shared with the world.Only when we have tried to listen to people's innermost thoughts can we truly attempt to understand them. This does not mean that you have to agree with their views or perspectives.
The following regards the aftermath of 1984: I have tried to translate and am seeking your input. Please scrutinise and offer constructive criticisms. Gyani Ji, I am counting on you especially! I had, real difficulties with the opening line. I am no expert and I am sure the translation has many flaws.
All constructive criticisms are welcomed and I would like that, where possible, we use corresponding English equivalents for Panjabi words. Note: I have sparingly used square brackets to clarify in certain lines. Nooks kudho ve!!
ikMnI dUr q^q qyrw smyN idAw hwkmW vy
Whilst I pursued the path of a petitioner [for justice], my life has passed by
The serpent gaze of your city's enforcers
O, have struck our smiling faces with a venomous bite
Do not ask then of what we had to endure on our bones
How long those false encounters continued to take place
Ask not of what our brothers had to pass through
The bodies of my own begotten sons were not to be returned by destiny
Ask not what those mothers then had to live through
Those with spirited, self-respecting demeanors and awakened consciences
all such people were swept away in the canals and gutters
Our "lawyer" who came presenting himself as a benefactor
left to find the unclaimed but failed to return himself
Death, the bride who had come to marry, became coy herself
Sukhdeep Singh Barnala
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Guys, many of you know I endeavour to improve my Panjabi language skills when I have a chance. The latest manifestation of this is an attempt to translate a poem by a Panjabi kavi. I know nothing about the background of the writer as of yet. When I find out I will let you know.
I think it is important that I clarify my own personal position as the subject of the poem is a very sensitive issue politically and culturally. I strongly believe it is important to allow people to express their views, especially when they have been denied the opportunity to do this. I also think it is a good idea to encourage creative writing in general. With the global spread of Panjabis and a growing interest interest in both Panjabi culture and Sikhism, our own body of literature must develop and reflect the internal feelings of members of the quom and our experiences for posterity. Like all good literature, this should be shared with the world.Only when we have tried to listen to people's innermost thoughts can we truly attempt to understand them. This does not mean that you have to agree with their views or perspectives.
The following regards the aftermath of 1984: I have tried to translate and am seeking your input. Please scrutinise and offer constructive criticisms. Gyani Ji, I am counting on you especially! I had, real difficulties with the opening line. I am no expert and I am sure the translation has many flaws.
All constructive criticisms are welcomed and I would like that, where possible, we use corresponding English equivalents for Panjabi words. Note: I have sparingly used square brackets to clarify in certain lines. Nooks kudho ve!!
s`pxI nzr
The serpant's gaze
The serpant's gaze
ikMnI dUr q^q qyrw smyN idAw hwkmW vy
aumr &irAwdIAW dI rwhW iv`c lµG geI
s`pnI nzr qyry Sihr dy biSMidAW dI
hwey ! swfy ichry idAW hwisAW ƒ fµg geI
O throne, how distant the governors of your era are
Whilst I pursued the path of a petitioner [for justice], my life has passed by
The serpent gaze of your city's enforcers
O, have struck our smiling faces with a venomous bite
vyKy sI jo AsIN auh kOmI Armwn swry
B`KdI “curwsI” iv`c SISy vWg tu`t gey
“idl vwlI” id`lI iv`c AwbrU d&n hoeI
Gr, kwrobwr “dyS BgqW” ny lu`t gey
Those desires and wishes of our nation we witnessed
all shattered like mirrors in the inferno of "eighty-four"
"Her with a heart" Delhi was where our reputations were buried
"Patriots" robbed us of our homes and businesses
Those desires and wishes of our nation we witnessed
all shattered like mirrors in the inferno of "eighty-four"
"Her with a heart" Delhi was where our reputations were buried
"Patriots" robbed us of our homes and businesses
B`jy sI pMjwb mUhry bYTy sI iSkwrI ieQy
^Un swfw pIx leI bVy hI auqwvly vy
pu`C nw qUµ Pyr kI-kI h`fW qy hµFweI AsIN
ikMnW icr huµdy rhy JUTy jy mukwbly vy
[Those] fleeing to Panjab, faced seated hunters before them here
You were in such a rush to spill our blood hey
[Those] fleeing to Panjab, faced seated hunters before them here
You were in such a rush to spill our blood hey
Do not ask then of what we had to endure on our bones
How long those false encounters continued to take place
ds swl ieQy Pyr hoxI ny jo nwc kIqw
pu`C nW qUµ swifAW BrwvW qy kI guzrI
mry hoey pu`qW dIAW lwSW nw nsIb hoeIAW
pu`C nw qUµ Pyr auhnW mwvW qy kI guzrI
In the ten years fate performed her dance here
In the ten years fate performed her dance here
Ask not of what our brothers had to pass through
The bodies of my own begotten sons were not to be returned by destiny
Ask not what those mothers then had to live through
AxKI suBwA qy jwgdI zmIr vwlw
hr ienswn ndI nwilAW ’c ruiVAw
bxky ihqYSI ijhVw AwieAw sI “vkIl” swfw
igAw l`Bx lwvwirsW ƒ auh vI nhIEN muiVAw
Those with spirited, self-respecting demeanors and awakened consciences
all such people were swept away in the canals and gutters
Our "lawyer" who came presenting himself as a benefactor
left to find the unclaimed but failed to return himself
zulmI hnyrI Ju`lI kOm qy jo kihr bx
q^qW idAW vwrsW dw qoV AMg-AMg geI
vyK ky zulm qyry Sihr dy kirMidAW dy
ijhVI AweI sI ivAwhux lwVI mOq vI auh sµg geI
The cruel dark storm which directed its ire towards our nation
broke the inheritors of our thrones limb by limb
Observing the brutality of the servants of your city
The cruel dark storm which directed its ire towards our nation
broke the inheritors of our thrones limb by limb
Observing the brutality of the servants of your city
Death, the bride who had come to marry, became coy herself
ikMnI dUr q^q qyrw smyN idAw hwkmW vy
aumr &irAwdIAW dI rwhW iv`c lµG geI
s`pnI nzr qyry Sihr dy biSMidAW dI
hwey ! swfy ichry idAW hwisAW ƒ fµg geI
O throne, how distant the governors of your era are
Whilst I pursued the path of a petitioner [for justice], my life has passed by
The serpent gaze of your city's enforcers
O, have struck our smiling faces with a venomous bite
Whilst I pursued the path of a petitioner [for justice], my life has passed by
The serpent gaze of your city's enforcers
O, have struck our smiling faces with a venomous bite
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