Baghee (The Revolutionary)----Makhdum

About the Poet: Makhdum Mohiuddin (d:1977) was another famous poet whose work primarily deals with Socialist and revolutionary ideals. He was born in and lived much of his life in Hyderabad (Deccan). An avid admirer of the Soviet Union and a lifelong member of the Communist Party of India, he adapted Russian eulogies of Stalin to Urdu. Some of his most touching works describe the landscape and the peasant women of his native Telangana.

A poem filled with incitement and provocation, Baghee asks the exploited masses to wake and unleash their strength on their oppressors. The Naxal influence is crystal clear in this poem.

Raad hoon, barq hoon, bechain hoon, paara hoon main.
(I am thunder. I am lightning. I am restless mercury, never still)

Khud Parastar, khud aagah, khud aara hoon main.
(Self respecting, self appraising, bending others to my will)

Gardane zulm kate jis se woh aara hoon main.
(I am the sword that cuts the throat of the Tyrant)

Khirmane Jaur jalade, woh sharara hoon main
(I am the spark that will burn down his wheat stock)

Meri faryaad pe ahle-dawil angusht baagosh
(The rich hear my cry and thrust their fingers in their ears)

Laa tabar khoon ke dariya mein nahane de mujhe.
(Bring the sword and I shall bathe in the streams of their blood)

Sare pur nakhuwate arbaabe zamaan todunga
(I shall crack the heads of those who take pride in their estate)

Shore naala se dare arzo saman todunga
(My shout of lamentation shall brook no barrier)

Zulm parwar rawishe ahle jahaan todunga
(The fame of tyrants shall lie in tatters)

Ishrat abaad imaarat ka makaan todunga
(The Lords of opulent palaces shall bow to me)

Tod daalunga mein zanjeere aseerane kafas
dahar ko panjye usrat se chudane de mujhe
(I shall break down the prison chains and free the birds,
I will release my world from grief and infamy)

Barq bankar but-e-maazi ko giraane de mujhe
(I shall be the lightning that will strike down the graven idols of the past)

Rasm-e-kuhna ko tahe khaaq milaane de mujhe
(I shall inter caste, creed and traditions in the lowly dust)

Tafrike mazhab-o-millat ke mitaane de mujhe
(I shall erase the false barriers of religion)

Khwaabe farda ko bas ab haal banane de mujhe
(All that I have dreamt of, I want to accomplish it now!)

Aag hoon aag hoon haan ek dahakti hui aag
Aag hoon aag hoon bas ab aag lagaane de mujhe
(Yes, I am blazing, burning and scorching with my belief
Let my kindled fire burn you all without relief)