India is in the throes of an extended nationwide lockdown, the impact of which is being felt by different communities and groups in many ways. It’s a hard time for everyone, but Gulzar, the poet, lyricist and writer, has some beautiful, important words to share that can help them cope.
While his poem Dhoop Aane Do (Let The Sunlight In), translated into English by Rakhshanda Jalil, is an ode to the slow life and references social distancing, he also has a message to take care of stray animals while under lockdown, and to water the plants and trees.
धूप आने दो
बहुत मीठी है, खूबसूरत है
ज़मीं, हम जानते हैं
गुड़ की ढेली है
बड़ी मोहलिक हवा उतरी है
इस पर
इसे घुन ना लगे
हट कर, ज़रासी देर ठहरो
धूप आने दो
उठेगा आफ़ताब और छानेगा किरनों से
इस मोहलिक हवा को
मकोड़ों की तरह ना भीड़ ना करना
अलग होकर खड़े हो जाओ
और धूप आने दो
Let the sunlight in
It is very sweet, very beautiful
I know this earth is like a lump of gur
A baneful wind is blowing upon it
Sit apart for a while, lest it catches the virus
Let sunlight come in
The sun will rise and with its beams
Sieve through this baneful air
Don’t swarm about like ants
Stand apart, away from each other
And let the sunlight in
Also read: Onion price, inflation, political games — Gulzar’s Murari Lal is back to voice public anger
दोस्तों!
कोरोनावायरस का हमला काफ़ी सख़्त है.
हम लोग घरों मे नज़रबंद हैं, लेकिन हमारे खाने-पीने की ज़रूरियात बड़ी अच्छी तरह मुहैय्या हो रही हैं. सब इंतज़ाम मौजूद हैं, लेकिन कुछ बेज़ुबान जानें, कुछ बेज़ुबान जानवर, जिनके घर नहीं हैं और सड़कों पर दिन रात काटा करते थे, उनके खाने पीने का कोई इंतज़ाम नहीं हुआ.
आप जानते हैं, मैं आप की गली के कुत्ते-बिल्लियों की, और दूसरे जानवरों की बात कर रहा हूं. आप से दरख्वास्त है कि जिस तरह आप अपने आस-पड़ोस का ख़याल कर रहे हैं कि कोई भूखा न रहे, प्लीज़ इनका भी ख़याल कीजिए.
वो रुआंसे, मुंह उठाए, डबडबाई आंखों से आपके दरवाजे की तरफ़ देख रहे हैं. उन्हें कुछ खाने को दीजिए प्लीज़. एक और बात..
माली नहीं आया, ना सही, पानी तो आ रहा है, आप अपने पौधों-पेड़ों को सींचना ना भूलें, प्यासे हैं उन्हें पानी दीजिए.
शुक्रिया!
Friends!
The impact of coronavirus is quite severe.
We might be shut in our homes, but our basic needs of food and drink are well taken care of. We have everything we need, but there are some voiceless lives, some voiceless animals, who don’t have homes and have spent their lives on the streets, and no arrangements have been made to feed them.
You know I am talking about the dogs, cats and other animals in your neighbourhood lanes. My request is that just as you are taking care of the needs of those around you, ensuring that they don’t go hungry, please also take care of these animals.
Their faces are raised and they are looking at your door with their eyes full of unshed tears. Please give them something to eat. One more thing…
Your gardener may not be coming these days, but there is still water. Don’t forget to water your plants and trees. They are thirsty, give them water.
Thank you!
Also read: Verses in the time of virus: Poetry Live unites 71 quarantined poets on Instagram