In times like these, I fail to find too many things that are as pertinent as this timeless piece of poetry by Jalib. Written in '60's, this is as relevant in our troubled land in 2009, as was back then.
The poem, "Musheer" (Advisor) is a collection of advices that are so characteristic of those held in consulation by the tycoons in power.
The band, Laal has really performed a commendable feat by bringing back to the 'asses, what should have never been left behind.
mein ne us se ye kaha
ye jo das crore hain,
jehl ka nichor hain
inki fikr so gayi
har umeed ki kiran,
zulmaton main kho gai
ye khabar darust hai,
inki maut ho gai
be shaoor log hain
zindagi ka roag hain
aur tere paas hai
inkay dard ki dawa
This I said unto him
These, who form a hundred million
Are an epitome of oblivion
Their thought is no more
Every ray of hope
Has been devoured by murk
True is the news
They have lost the life
Conscious less are they!
A curse to life!
And thou hath
What cures their ills
mein ne us se ye kaha
mein ne us se ye kaha
mein ne us se ye kaha
This I said unto him
tu khuda ka noor hai
aql hai, shaoor hai
qaum tere saath hai
tere hi!, hi!, hi!, wajood se
mulk ki nijaat hai
tu hai mehr-e-subh-e-nau
tere baad raat hai!
bolte jo chand hain
sab ye shar pasand hain!
inki khainch le zabaan
inka ghoont de gala
You are the Godly glow
Of brains and logic
The nation stands with you
Through your grace Alone,
The state can be salvaged.
You bring the dawn of a new day
It is dusk aft thou!
The few who grunt
Are all the hellions
Tear out their tongues
Strangle their throats.
mein ne us se ye kaha
mein ne us se ye kaha
mein ne us se ye kaha
This I said unto him
jin ko tha zaban pe naaz
chup hain wo zaban daraaz
chain hai samaaj main
bemisaal fark hai
kal main aur aaj main
apne kharch par hain log
qaid tere raaj me
Those proud of their eloquence
Hushed are all those boisterous
Order reigns the land
The contrast is unparalleled
Of bygone and current
Taken a hostage at their own expense
Are people in your empire
mein ne us se ye kaha
mein ne us se ye kaha
mein ne us se ye kaha
This I said unto him
cheen apna yar hai
us pe jan nisar hai
par wahan jo hai nizaam
us taraf na jaayio
us ko door se salaam
das crore ye gadhay
jin ka naam hai awaam
kia banain gsy hukmaran
tu!, tu!, tu! yaqeen hai ye gumaan
apni to dua hai ye
sadr tu rahe sada
China is the beloved chum
Precious than the dear life
But the setup that they run
Steer well clear of that
Without further ado, turn away
These hundred million asses
Which are named the masses
Naught deserve they to be a majesty
You alone are real; an image are they
All I plea for is
You remain President till eternity
mein ne us se ye kaha
mein ne us se ye kaha
mein ne us se ye kaha
mein ne us se ye kaha
This I said unto him
PS: The translation is mine, hence obviously lacks the same tanginess of flavour.
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