‘De Dardoono Naghmagar” (The songs of Pain)
Prominent Pushto writer, poet, rapporteur, graphic sketch writer and above all a humanist Iqbal Hussain Afkaar has published his latest poetic work ‘De Dardoono Naghmagar” (The Songs of Pain).
Comprising over a hundred poems on miscellaneous subjects in a hard bound book spread over 250 pages and dedicated to illustrious Pashto poet, intellectual and politician Ajmal Khattak the book was launched last month at the Bhutto foundation in Islamabad. The largely attended launching ceremony was addressed by noted Pushto poets, writers and scholars including Professor Nurul Amin Yousufzai, Professor Yasin Yousufzai and many others who had travelled especially from Peshawar for the purpose.
The subjects of his poems covered a wide range; From democracy to terrorism, from love to the pain of separation, from humanity to the plight of the labour and from paying tributes to national heroes to lamenting the plight of transgender community.
The poem on transgender ‘Dolphin Ayyan’ drew particular attention of the speakers who applauded Afkaar for addressing the plight of this community that has been hounded. Dolphin belongs to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and recently has been in the news due to most inhuman treatment meted out to him and to other members of the community in the province. Afkaar also belongs to the Khyber province.
When renowned bureaucrat cum writer during Ayub Khan days Qudratullah Shahab wrote an article “Maanjee” about his mother it was said that even if Shahab had not subsequently written books he still would have been ranked as an acclaimed writer because of ‘MaanJee”.
Perhaps the same can be said about Afkaar’s poem on transgender community represented by Dolphn Ayyan.
Former senator Farhatullah Babar also translated the poem in English. Here is his translation:
Dolphin Ayaan- (Transgender)
The sorry tale of your life, Oh my dear
Pain, anguish & sorrow, without cheer
Emotions crushed and hopes forsaken
To the wall, you are driven
Sublime and faithful you are
Like reflections true in a mirror
Mauled by the wolves all around
Their lust knowing no bound
Saddened I am, Oh Ayyan
Love & humanness, you know so well
Manifestation of God’s grace in you dwell
Those casting evil glance at you
The despicable on the earth
Scorn, I heap on those
Making your life inferno everlasting
And a torment perpetual
Hungry for love, yet conscious
Of the sublimity of love
Of brothers and sisters
Of fathers and mothers
The bottomless pit of your life
A nightmare, brimstone, and fire
Thy soul restless & tortured
Yearning for a home and hearth
Yearning for a fleeting glance of love
Our hearts devoid of empathy, Alas
Insensitive to pathos & pain deep
No humans, we are
Know not what humanity is.
Translation by Farhatullah Babar
