Muhammad Haque bringing to today's life Farrukh Ahmad's Panjayree with universal appeal voicing the cry of millions for justice

By © Muhammad Haque
1215 Hrs GMT
London Sunday 25 December 2011
Muhammad Haque introducing Panjayree, one of Farrukh Ahmad’s best known poems.
However, Panjayree has remained an enigma for most of the times. Even when Farrukh Ahmad himself was around, he hardly spoke about Panjayree the poem. Nor did many of the “experts” on his works. Not in the way that Panjayree meant any relationship with real life.
In the nightmare years culminating in the still unreported events that ended with Farrukh Ahmad’ demise, so many episodes occurred that could be said top be foretold in Panjayree.

Raat poohabaar Kauto Deri Panjayree.

How long before the end of the night, Panjayree?

How long before the night ends, Panjayree?

In the two versions, I have tried to bring to life the poet’s plea. Life means life as it is across the world today.
[ As it is being endured by millions across the world today. As it is even being suffered in the UK. As the Christian religious bureaucracies issue their routine words and messages of comfort aimed at reassuring the victims of hunger, famine and injustice about their “salvation”, and as the Queen of England [and of “the Commonwealth”!!] herself is engulfed by the over-the-top coverage of live BBC and Sky news “reports” on the state of her husband’s health at Papworth hospital this lunchtime, there are hundreds of millions of people struggling to survive the pangs and withstand the lethal threats of famine and starvation across the world.

[As the Queen is shown to be recognising the role of community and family and of particularly appreciating the ”Commonwealth” of 53 Nations, there are uncounted numbers of people being neglected by the leaders of their own communities. Even more are being oppressed, violated by regimes among those 53 Nations. To every single one of those individuals being denied justice and dignity of food, shelter and stability, the words conveyed in these ritualised high-octane messages are hollow. They are empty. To those people what appeals is a message that a poet states. Just as Farrukh has done in Panjayree.
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Throughout the poem, Farrukh comes across as determinedly resigned. Yet he is anxious, impatient too. The paradox is no paradox.
[This is exactly what happens in nightmares. Nightmares that are true in life.
[ Today’s news [as reported on BBC News Channel between 1100 and 1200 GMT Sunday 25 December 2011] that dozens of hunger migrants have died somewhere in the sea trying to reach a "land of hope and a meal" captures the truth of the feelings the emotions that Panjayree conveys.
[To my knowledge, which is very limited indeed about Farrukh Ahmad’s life, the poet himself, before writing Panjayree had not encountered anything like the nightmares he endured later.
[ So his thoughts and the imagery he used in Panjayree must have been inspired by something other than empirical engagements with the oppression of the dark lone night.
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[To be continued]