Majeed Amjad and chopped trees
In response to my article on Lahore’s vanishing trees, a reader reminded me of one of my favourite poems in Urdu composed by the lesser known genius, Majeed Amjad. I am posting this poem though I am not sure if everyone will be able to read the Urdu script. I am taking a chance at translating the opening lines:
For twenty years, these trees stood at the doorstep of a singing canal
Gallant guards at the borders of swaying fields
Shady, enticing, blossoming chatnars
All were sold for a mere twenty thousand rupees
In the last stanza, after all the trees have been chopped, the poet cries
Now I stand by the singing canal and muse
In this murderous environment, only my thought sways
Adam’s descendants ought to chop me, why not?
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Could you please provide the translation of the following words:
Line 6: Taishay, Savanton
Line 7: Gareem Dharam
Line 8: Barg-o-Bar
Thanks a lot. Great poem by the way.
rough translations
Taishay refers to daggers
Savanton ke jism = the bodies of these pious entities
Barg is a leaf and bar is a tree/plant
Gareem Dharam = let me check please