Yeh Kooche Ye Nilaam Ghar Dil-Kashee Ke (Translation) Poem by Syed Ahmed Shah

Translation of an ageless song written by Sahir Ludhianvi (Film Pyaasa)

These sickly lanes, these houses of flesh
These pillaged ill-fated caravans of life
The vanguards of hollow pride
Those who are proud of Hind
Where are they
Where are they

These labyrinthine lanes, this bazaar of shame
This nameless walker, this jingling of coins
These covenants of honor, these hard bargain
These brazen streets crouching for centuries
These immature buds trampled and crushed
These cheap amusements in the market for sale
Those who are proud of Hind
Where are they
Where are they

Chiming anklets through lighted windows
Thumping beats and tired breath
Frenzied cough in tomblike rooms
Those who are proud of Hind
Where are they
Where are they

These garlands of flower, these spit stains
These shameless looks, these profanities
These aging bodies and the pale faces
Those who are proud of Hind
Where are they
Where are they

The old ones come here so does the young
The decadent father, the wayward son

They are wives, they are sisters, even mothers
Those who are proud of Hind
Where are they
Where are they

This daughter of eve cries out for help
The twin of Yashoda, the daughter of Radha
Follower of the Prophet, the daughter of Zulaikha
Those who are proud of Hind
Where are they
Where are they

The leaders of the nation, call them please
Just show them these lanes, these streets, these scenes
Those who are proud of Hind
Where are they
Where are they

(Translated by Syed Ahmed Shah, Bokultol, Guwahati,5th Dec,2013)

yeh kooche ye nilaam ghar dil-kashee ke,
yeh luT-te huwe karvaan zindagee ke,
kahan hain, kahan hain muhaafiz Khudee ke
jinhen naaz hai hind par woh kahaan hain,
yeh pur-paich galiyaan yeh badnaam baazaar,
yeh gumnaam raahee, yeh sikkon kee jhankaar,
yeh ismat ke sauday yeh saudon pe takraar,
yeh sadiyon se be-khauf, sehmee see galiyaan,
yeh maslee huwee adh-khilee zard kaliyaan,
yeh biktee huwee khoklee, rang-raliyaan,
jinhen naaz hai hind par woh kahaan hain,
woh ujle darichon men paayal kee chann chann,
thakee haaree saanson pe tablay kee dhann dhann,
yeh be-rooh kamron men khaansee kee Thann Thann,
yeh phoolon ke gajre, yeh peekon ke chheenTay
yeh be-baak nazren yeh gustaaKh fiqaren,
yeh Dhalke, badan aur yeh beemar chehre,
jinhe.n naaz hai hind par woh, kahaan hain,
Yahaan peer bhee aa chuke hain, jawaan bhee
tano-mand beTe bhee, abba miyaan bhee,
yeh beewee bhee hain aur bahen bhee, hain maa bhee,
jinhen naaz hai hind par woh, kahaan hain,

madad chaahtee hai yeh hawwa kee beTee,
yashoda kee hamm-jins radha kee beTee,
payambar kee ummat, zulekha kee betee
jinhen naaz hai hind par woh, kahaan hain,

zaraa mulk ke, rah-baro.n ko bulaao,
yeh kooche yeh galiyaan yeh manzar dikhaao
jinhen naaz hai hind par woh, kahaan hain,

(Sahir Ludhianvi)