(This story was first published on 31 August 2016. It has been reposted from The Quint’s archives on the occasion of Amrita Pritam’s birth anniversary.)
Amrita Pritam lives in all her works, which are as alive as her language: evocative yet haunting, soulful yet uplifting. We at The Quint decided to read out two of her iconic poems.
Main Tenu Fir Milaan Gi
Main Tenu Fir Milaan Gi
Kithey? Kis Tarah? Pata Nai
Shayad Terey Takhayul Di Chinag Ban Ke
Terey Canvas Tey Utraan Gi
Ya Khowrey Terey Canvas Dey Utey
Ikk Rahasmayi Lakeer Ban Ke
Khamosh Tenu Tak Di Rawaan Gi
Yaa Khowrey Sooraj Di Loo Ban Ke
Terey Rangaan Wich Ghulaan Gi
Yaa Rangaan Diyan Bahwaan Wich Baith Ke
Terey Canvas Nuu Walaan Gi
Pata Nai Kiss Tarah? Kithey?
Par Tenu Zaroor Milaan Gi
Yaa Khowrey Ikk Chashma Bani Howaan Gi
Tey Jeevan Jharneyaan Da Paani Udd-da
Main Paani Diyaan Boondaan
Terey Pindey Tey Malaan Gi
Tey Ikk Thandak Jahi Ban Ke
Teri Chaati Dey Naal Lagaan Gi
Main Hor Kujh Nai Jaandi
Par Aena Jaandi
Ke Waqt Jo Vii Karey Ga
Aey Janam Mairey Naal Turey Ga
Aey Jism Mukda Hai
Tay Sab Kujh Muk Jaanda
Par Chaityaan Dey Dhaagey
Kaainaati Kana Dey Hundey
Main Onhaan Kana Nuu Chunaan Gi
Dhaageyaan Nuu Walaan Gi
Tey Tenu Main Fair Milaan Gi
Aj Akhan Waris Shah Nu
Aj akhan Waris Shah nu ki tun kabran vichchon bol
Te aj kitab-e-ishq da koi agla varka phol.
Ik roi si dhee Punjab di, tun likh likh maare vain
Aj lakhan dheean rondian tainu Waris Shah nu kahen.
Uth dardmandaan dia dardiaa, uth takk apnaa Punjab
Aj bele lashan bichhian te lahu di bhari Chenab
Kise ne panjan panian vichch ditti zahar rala
Te unhan panian dharat nun ditta pani la
Is zarkhez zameen de lun lun futtia zaher
Gith gith charhiaan lalian fut fut charhia kaher
Veh vallisi wha pher, van van vaggi ja
Ohne har ik vans di vanjhali ditti naag banaa
Pehla dang madarian, mantar gaye gawach
Dooje dang di lag gayi, jane khane nu lag
Lagan kile lok munh bus phir dang hi dang
Palo pali Punjab de neele pae gaye ang
Galeyon tutte geet phir, takaleon tutti tand
Trinjanon tuttian sahelian, charakhre ghukar band
Sane sej de berian, luddan dittian rohr
Sane dalian pingh aj, piplan ditti tor
Jitthe vajdi si kook pyaar di, ve oh vanjhali gayi gawacH
Ranjhe de sab vir aj, bhul gaye usdi jach
Dharti te lahu vasiya, kabraan paian choan
Preet dian shahzadian, aj vichch mazaran roan
Aj sabbhe qaido ban gaye, husn ishq de chor
Aj kitthon liaiye labh ke Waris Shah ik hor
Aj akhan Waris Shah nu ki tun kabran vichchon bol
Te aj kitab-e-ishq da koi agla varka phol.
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