Echoes of Despair: Wali Nagri’s Lament for Justice and Redemption

Syed Shams Uddin A magnificent and unparalleled poetic masterpiece, Wali Nagri’s verses resonate with the profound anguish of a soul burdened by the relentless weight of despair. The composition, deeply melancholic yet strikingly poignant, serves as a mirror to the poet’s tormented state, where unspoken sorrow flows into words that cut through the reader’s heart like a blade of truth. In my humble attempt, I have endeavored to render his haunting Urdu verses into English, capturing their depth and essence: May the new year prove to be a blessed one. My world has been shattered, O Lord, Life itself has turned into a punishment, O Lord. May the Final Guide arrive swiftly, For tyranny has reached its peak, O Lord. The opening lines, “Allah Karay naya sal Mubarak ho,” carry a semblance of hope—a fragile wish for renewal and blessing. Yet, this glimmer of optimism is quickly overshadowed by the weight of sorrow that follows. The poet’s world, described as utterly shattered, evokes an image of irreparable devastation, where the very fabric of existence seems torn apart. This stark imagery reflects not just personal despair but an indictment of broader circumstances that have rendered life itself a relentless punishment. The cry to the divine, “Zindagi ek saza hovee yarab,” reveals a profound sense of helplessness and resignation. In these words, life transforms from a journey of purpose and joy into a ceaseless burden. The poet’s lamentation is not merely a complaint; it is a plea to the heavens for understanding, for intervention, and perhaps for solace amidst the turmoil. Wali Nagri’s call for the “Final Guide” to arrive, encapsulated in the line “Jald Aajayay aakhari bari,” is a powerful expression of the poet’s yearning for justice and redemption. It underscores a desperate longing for an end to the suffering, a belief in a savior who will bring light to a world engulfed in darkness. This yearning is both deeply personal and universally resonant, reflecting the collective hope of humanity for deliverance from oppression and injustice. The concluding line, “Zulum ki entiha hovee yarab,” drives home the magnitude of the poet’s anguish. Tyranny, in its most brutal and unrelenting form, has reached its zenith. The poet’s voice becomes a thunderous cry against the unbearable weight of oppression, a cry that transcends individual grief to embody the suffering of countless souls who share in this despair. In this masterful composition, Wali Nagri has woven a tapestry of profound emotion, where every line is laden with the weight of sorrow and the urgency of a heart seeking solace. The verses are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, which, even amidst the depths of despair, continues to hope and to plead for a better tomorrow. In another grand poetical expression, he says: Someday, the night will wane Someday, the night will wane, and dawn will unfold, The door of hope shall welcome the morning’s call, bold. I wait for the arrival of a spring anew, When flowers shall bloom, and buds in youth ensue. I’ve heard of a realm devoid of tyranny’s reign, But in this world, where might such a haven remain? Let me confess, in case you’re unaware, Without you, my soul bears torment and despair. In times like these, what purity of self to pursue, When your form itself mourns with a spirit’s hue. Speak now, for who knows what fate may decree, Wali, remember, silence may forever encumber thee. As I extend my deepest sympathies to the poet, I am moved to offer heartfelt prayers for enduring health, boundless happiness, and a long and fulfilling journey ahead, where such woes may transform into moments of joy and fulfillment. May the poetic voice of Wali Nagri inspire us all to seek justice, to extend compassion, and to strive for a world free of oppression and despair. In the same spirit, one can reflect upon Faiz Ahmad Faiz's timeless poem on the advent of a new year. With his characteristic eloquence and profound insights, Faiz questions the essence of what truly makes a year “new,” unveiling the monotonous cycles and ephemeral nature of time. The poem reads as follows: Aae nayay sal bata tuj may naya pan keya hay, Har taraf khalq-e-klhuda nay keyun shoor macha rakha hay, Roshani din ke vahee taroon bhari rat vahee, Aaj hamko nazar aati hay har ek bat vahee, Aasman badla hay afsoof na badli hay zameen, Ek hinisay ka badalna koi jeddat to nahee, Eglay barson ki tarah hongay qareenay tairay, Kis ko maloom nahi bara maheenay tairay, January, February aor March may paray gi sardi, Aor April, May, June may hogee garmi, Taira man dahar may kuch khoyayga kuch payayga, Apni meeyad basar karkay chala jayayga, Tu naya hay to dekha subeh nai sham nai, Varna en aankhon nay daikhay hain nayay sal kai, Baysabab log keyun daitay hain mubarak badain, Ghaliban bhool gayay waqt ke karvee batain, Tayree aamad say ghati oomur jahan say sab ki, Faiz nay likhi hay yeh nazum niralay dhub ki. Rendered into English as follows: O New Year, tell us what novelty you bring! Why has the world’s creation raised such a clamor, sing? The daylight gleams the same, the starlit nights as before, Every sight today reveals the same tales once more. The sky may have changed, but alas, the earth remains, A mere shift in measures brings no new refrains. Your days will follow the rhythm of bygone years, Of your twelve months, who is unaware or unclear? In January, February, and March, the cold shall bite, While April, May, and June bring warmth in their flight. In the realm of time, some will lose, others gain, Your lifespan will pass, leaving no deeper strain. If you are new, then show us a dawn afresh, Else these eyes have witnessed many years’ mesh. Why do people, without reason, offer congratulations, Perhaps forgetting time’s bitter revelations? Your arrival diminishes the world’s collective span, Faiz penned this verse in his uniquely contemplative plan