Bang-e-Dara: 34 | بانگ درا | Tasveer-e-Dard | تصویر درد | Allama Iqbal | علامہ اقبال | Iqbaliyat

"Tasveer-e-Dard (The Portrait Of Grief)" is a beautiful sample of Iqbal’s "universalism" (inclusiveness of the Hindu-Muslim community of the subcontinent) before he adopted a more reactionary position. It is also a fine example of how the tradition of ambiguity and multiple meaning in Urdu poetry came in useful to elude censorship. It is a long composition and can be considered divided into eight sections/Ghazals strung together. Each section has its own radeef-qaafiya with a concluding she’r in a different radeef-qaafiya. Themes between sections overlap quite a lot and each excels the other in beauty of composition.The first section focuses on proclaiming the universality of his message and how it is inevitable that it will spread in spite of its painful content and in spite of the powers to stop/restrict this message.

The second section is a tongue in cheek expression of humility and an expression of mysticism about existence and of "self". I am a hidden treasure, nobody pays any attention to me, but I say what I see (and I see that which no one else seems to be able to see).

The third section reinforces the power of the poet’s words and his ability to see far into the future. Here I like to think that Iqbal is NOT talking about himself personally but of "the poet" … every poet. In this section he is also exhorting his countrymen to listen and look at the disaster that is about to befall them … all because of communalism, infighting and lack of action against the oppressor.

The fourth section is a beautiful and powerful expression of the poet’s determination to set things right, to promote harmony among all the oppressed, so they may present a united front to the oppressor.

The fifth section is a beautiful expression of the poet’s pain at the indifference and backwardness of his countrymen and exhorting them to look outside, learn and to act.

The sixth section uses sufi mystic themes/vocabulary to preach "universal love", repeating that discrimination between fellow humans (communalism) is the cause of downfall of nations.

The seventh section reinforces the theme of "universal love", declares that it is this that manifests itself in everything, giving it a "god like" quality.

The eighth and concluding section, much like the previous two, repeats the message of Universal Love with Sufi overtones.

It is illustrative to read and compare "Tasveer-e-Dard" (1904) with "Shikwa" (1909). The first nazm is full of Sufi thoughts, universal love, inclusiveness and Hindu-Muslim unity. It is of the same vintage and character as "Naya Shivala" and "Tarana-e-Hindi". The second is bitter, angry, inciteful and divisive. What a difference 5 years makes. During this time Iqbal had lived in England and Germany, completed his post-graduate studies, become stridently Islamic.


Bang-e-Dara: 34 | بانگ درا | Tasveer-e-Dard | The Portrait Of Grief | تصویر درد | Allama Iqbal | علامہ اقبال | Iqbaliyat | اقبالیات | Poetry | شاعری | Urdu Intikhab


Baang-e-Dara: 34

Tasveer-e-Dard
The Portrait Of Grief

Sun Ae Ghafil Sada Meri, Ye Aesi Cheez Hai Jis Ko
Wazifa Jaan Kar Perhte Hain Taair Bostanon Mein

Watan Ki Fikar Kar Nadan! Musibat Ane Wali Hai
Teri Barbadiyon Ke Mashware Hain Asmanon Mein

Na Samjho Ge To Mit Jao Ge Ae Hindustanon Walo !
Tumhari Dastan Tak Bhi Na Ho Gi Daston Mein

Parona Aik Hi Tasbeeh Mein In Bikhare Danon Ko
Jo Muskhil Hai, To Iss Mushkil Ki Asan Kar Ke Chorun Ga

Taassub Chhorr Nadan! Dehr Ke Aaeena Khane Mein
Ye Tasveerain Hain Teri Jin Ko Samjha Hai Bura Tu Ne

zaban se gar kiya tauhid ka dawa to kya hasil
banaya hai but-e-pindar ko apna KHuda tu ne


🔷 Lyrics by: Allama Iqbal
🔷 Recited by: Zia Mohyeddin Sahib
🔷 Recitation courtesy: Iqbal Academy Pakistan

📓 Lyrics (sources)

~ Urdu (allamaiqbal.com): https://bit.ly/3jj605k
~ English and Roman Urdu (iqbalurdu.blogspot.com): https://bit.ly/3jmtPJB

🎵 Music:

Firing Line - Epic Cinematic Music - By Ender Guney

Composed: By Ender Guney
   / enderguneym.  .

YouTube. (2019). Firing Line - Epic Cinematic Music - By Ender Guney. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rR7m... [Accessed 11 Oct. 2019].

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