This poem was published on February 20, 2008 in The Daily Kawish. Poetess is Shagufta Jabeen. I think it is a very beautiful poem. I have tried to translate it below the Sindhi text (next page), but my translation is a bit amateurish. Any correction or suggestions from our seasoned readers will be appreciated.
DistancesThe walking feet of time
are always in motion
The last sunset of December
which made a dazzlng show of colors
was nothing but an illusion
But
In the small interval of passing time
Our love, hate, separations
and closeness
and all references to my personal self are erased
In the journey from being very close to become a stranger
I am only left measuring distances
I am only left measuring distances
One of my good friends, Abrar Siddiqui who claims to know more Sindhi than me has sent following translation. Please take a look:
Running against the time
Like always
The last sunset of December
So dyed in infinite colors
Has become nothing but an illusion
But…
In this brief interlude of passing time
Our love, hatred, parting and greeting
And all that I am to myself
In a journey from consciousness to oblivion
Yet again…
Keeps on only scoping the differences
Mr. Latif Noorani, an avid reader of ATP has sent the following translation of the poem:
Tracing the footprints of time
Like always
Offering a scene
Of rainbow colours
The parting sun of December
Has become an illusion
But in that brief space of passing moments
Our affections, aversions, partings, meetings
And all references to our person
In the journey from familiar to unfamiliar
This year, too,
Scaled the distances alone
Scaled the distances alone…
Acknowledgements: Abrar Siddiqui, Zameer Soomro and Abdul Mujeer Qureshi
References: The Daily Kawish
JQ, I’ve attempted Sindhi pronunciation through common Roman. Hope it will help. Or if you prefer, the same can be sent in International Phonetic Alphabet.
Wakt ja pera khanundey
Humeshah jeaan
December jo aakhri siju
Indlathee rangan jo dekhu dayee
Nazar jo freb banjee wayo aahay
Para
Guzrandar waqt jee hina mukhtasir
Withee mein
Asaan joon chahatoon, nafratoon, wichhora
Ain rabita
Panhanjee zat saan wabasta sabhu havalaa shanasaee khan nashanasaee
Jey safar mein
Hail bi
Sirf fasilaa ee mapeenda rahyaa
Sirf fasilaa ee mapeenda rahyaa…
With love,
Latif Noonari
Can someone PLEASE post the rough pronunciation of the Sindhi?
Bravo Owais! Once again your post showed your verstility and vision. Translating poetry is very delicate work. It is the soul rather than the word that should be captured while translating poetry. You have been pretty successful in capturing the soul. Keep it up.
Just a little correction. ‘Pera khanan’ in Sindh means tracing the footstep not the running footstps. Mr. Noonari’s translation is quite accurate in this regard.
I wish someone could bring forth poetry of Punjabi, Siraiki, Pushto and Balochi to share with readers.
owais, rather than being amateurish, your attempt has sincerity & captures the essence very well; in fact i found the 3 translations to be superb having an individual stamp of the translator; let me demonstrate with an example; “indhlati rang-a” which is “rainbow colors” and used as such by Mr. Noonari, appears as “dazzling show of colors” in your translation & “infinite colors” by Abrar sb. all 3 translations alluding to the kaleodoscope of colors & illusions and at some level personalizing the translations in their own way
today was the urs of Shah Abdul Latif so let me share one verse & please forgive me for being inspired by it & attempting not a translation but just imagining momal in the company of her friends in the magical kak mahal, a place of legend where countless perished just to catch her glimpse
the lady in the verse, her beauty was the talk of kingdoms far and wide; this tale is sung with great love and is indeed simply called the “rano” performed by great masters like muhammed juman, muhammed yousuf & abida parveen and my favorite ustaad manzoor ali khan
jehra gul-a gulab-a jaa,
tehra mathen-e vays-a
choota tail-a chambailya ha, ha ho hamaish
paseyo sohanh, syed-o chavay, neehanh achan-e naish-a
lalan jay labais, aataarn akhar na ojhay
jayasay phool gulab kay
aysaa unka bhais
joray khushboo main rachay
mehkay mehkay kays
kahay Latif keh daikh kay soorat
laagain ishq kay naish
daikh kay sundar bhais
hairat main hay saaray (urdu translation by Agha Saleem)
she is a picture of a rose
reveling in sweet splendour
the locks of her hair
sweet ecstasy of jasmine celebration
a mere glimpse of her
setting hearts afire
leaving you tongue-tied
leaving you spell-bound
Lateef Noorani, thanks for sharing with us your beautiful translation.
Interesting stuff! Nice to see Sindhi poetry. These are beautiful verses that many of us can relate to easily. All the translations are good (didn’t know bro Abrar was that good). I think taking what is closest in meaning to the original from the three translations may produce a more refined version, provided it rhymes and sounds nicely.
Wow. The translations are BEAUTIFUL!
I’m sure the poem is just as good if not better. Can someone PLEASE post the rough pronunciation of the Sindhi?
I don’t want to miss out on the marvel of Sindhi poetry…
Its a moving poetry… Could any one direct me to more works of Shagufta Jabeen…