Urdunama: Why is the Lover in Urdu Poetry a ‘Qaatil’ or ‘Killer’?
In this episode of Urdunama, learn about the many ways the word ‘qatl’ is used by shayars.
Video Editor: Kunal Mehra
Camera: Mukul Bhandari
In Urdu poetry, the word qaatil has been used to refer to the lover and love as a crippling accident that the poet has met with. In fact, Urdu poet Fakhira Batool's poem is titled 'Mohabbat Haadsa Hai' which translates to 'Love is an accident'.
Mohabbat haadsa hai
hadse se bach nikalne ki
koi tadbir karlo isse pehle khvab ho jaao
jise hum haadsa kehte hai
jeevan ko ghadi bhar mein
mita kar khaak karta hai
koi ilzaam dharta hai
kabhi mazooriyon ke jaal mein qaidi
bana kar chhod deta hai
ye bandhan tod deta hai
mohabbat hadsa hai
haadse se bach nikalne ki
koi tadbeer karlo isse pehle khaak ho jaao.
This translates to 'Love is an accident. Before you lose yourself to it, think of a solution. What we call an accident, can turn your life around in a second.’
But when the word 'qatl' is used to write about political situations, it is synonymous with 'inqilab' or revolution.
Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab humare dil mein hai
Dekhna hai zor kitna baazu-e-qaatil mein hai.
Sarfaroshi means rebellion: one that we are willing to sacrifice our life for. All one needs to wait and watch for, is how powerful one’s opponents will be.
But one should always remember the lines of the poet Sahir Ludhianvi.
Zulm phir zulm hai, badhta hai to mit jata hai
khoon phir khoon hai tapkega to jam jayega.
These lines translate to – no matter how powerful or mighty a tyrant is, oppression always leaves behind a mark.
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