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مر بھی جاؤں تو کہاں لوگ بھلا ہی دیں گے by Parveen Shakir — Analysis & Translation

2 min read Urdu

Original Poem

مر بھی جاؤں تو کہاں لوگ بھلا ہی دیں گے لفظ میرے مرے ہونے کی گواہی دیں گے

Translation (English)

Even if I die, will people really forget me? My words will prove that I existed.

About the Poet

Parveen Shakir (20th century)

Parveen Shakir was a renowned Pakistani poet, teacher, and civil servant. She is known for her unique style of Urdu poetry, often focusing on themes of love, feminism, and social issues. Her work is celebrated for its lyrical beauty and emotional depth.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Historical Context

Literary Form
ghazal
When Written
20th century
Background
This ghazal reflects on themes of memory and legacy, exploring the idea that words and poetry can serve as a testament to one's existence even after death. It is a contemplation on how people are remembered through their contributions to literature and art.

Sources: https://www.rekhta.org/ghazals/mar-bhii-jaauun-to-kahaan-log-bhulaa-hii-denge-parveen-shakir-ghazals?lang=Ur, https://hamariweb.com/poetry/مر-بھی-جاؤں-تو-کہاں-لوگ-بھلا-ہی-دیں-گے-pid102688/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urdu_poetry, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghazal

Detailed Explanation

This couplet by Parveen Shakir reflects on the enduring nature of words and poetry. The poet muses on the idea that even after death, one's presence and essence can live on through their words. The first line questions whether people will truly forget her after she passes away, while the second line confidently asserts that her words will continue to bear witness to her existence. This reflects a common theme in literature where the written word is seen as a means of achieving immortality, as it preserves the thoughts and emotions of the writer for future generations. The ghazal form, known for its exploration of love and separation, is used here to delve into the separation from life itself and the legacy left behind.

Themes

  • memory
  • legacy
  • immortality through art

Literary Devices

  • metaphor: words as testimony
  • repetition: use of 'دیں گے' to emphasize continuity
  • rhetorical question: 'کہاں لوگ بھلا ہی دیں گے' to provoke thought

Word Dictionary

Word Meaning Translation Transliteration
مر فوت die mar
بھی اسی طرح as well bhi
جاؤں چلا جاؤں go jaaoon
تو اگر if to
کہاں جگہ place kahaan
لوگ افراد people log
بھلا بھول forget bhula
ہی صرف only hi
دیں پیش کریں offer den
گے ہوں گے shall ge
لفظ الفاظ words lafz
میرے میرا my mere
مرے فوت dead mare
ہونے موجودگی existence hone
کی کا of ki
گواہی ثبوت testimony gawahii

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