Ghani Khan 1914-1996 Translated by Taimur Khan Introduction Ghani Khan was born in Hashtnagar. He is widely considered the best pashto language poet of the 20th century and stands on a par with Khushal Khan Khattak and Rehman Baba. He was the son of the Red-Shirt Leader, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, aka Bacha Khan and The Frontier Gandhi. His wife Roshan came from a parsi family and was the daughter of Nawab Rustam Jang. He went to study at Rabindranath Tagore’s Shanti Niketan Art Academy and developed a liking for painting and sculpture. He visited England, and studied sugar technology in the United States, after which he returned and started working at the Takht Bhai Sugar Mills in 1933. Largely owing to his father’s influence, he was also involved in politics, supporting the cause of the pathans of NWFP. He was arrested by the Government of Pakistan in 1948 – although he had given up politics by then – and remained in prison till 1954, visiting various jails all over the country. It was during these years that he wrote his poem collection Da Panjray Chaghaar, and considered it the best work of his life. Aside from a few poems of his youth and early manhood, Ghani Khan’s poetry, like his temperament, is anti-political. His other two poem collections are: Panoos and Palwashay. He also wrote The Pathans, a short book in prose, published 1958. The singular distinction of his poetry – aside from his obvious poetic genius – is a profound blend of knowledge about his native and foreign cultures, and the psychological, sensual, and religious aspects of life. Taimur Khan A Poppy Flower In a desert, once, on a hunt did I find, With a radiant smile, a flower so fair; Sadly, I approached and sighed, “Ah! Of my kind Are you too – a hapless flower from a beloved's hair. Frail fingers wouldn't take you to a soft face so close, Nor would you be kissed by lips delicate and rose.” With a silent smile the flower replied, “Don't lose heart! This desert I wouldn't give up for the gardens of Iran, A solitary I am here while legions are there, Amidst this cursed soil I stand apart. In this gray desert, a flamboyant flame of divine light am I, Beauty's silent song, a miracle from the sky. In your garden, there are thousands of flowers like me – A nameless droplet in a nameless sea. You too, in your desert, don't feel forlorn, To behold you at last shall come a sore Ghani Khan. Music I am madness in raptures borne on an airy steed, A hue of beloved eyes coloring up in dance. Why, what am I made for, I neither know nor gather; Now a mood, now melody, a voice that just rings on. I am a flame descending to the heart’s hidden cellars; I am a jingling joy, a drunkenness in raptures. In your veins a fire, I am a quivering flame, A sparkling radiance, burning passion, yearning. I don’t exist; I’m wind, heaving joy on joy; With tears in my cheer and sad, smiling eyes. Speak up, madman! what makes you weep with me? I spring in a spirited step and reach your blood a-swing. A mere illusive thought or an ever-unfolding grace; A reckless airy steed rushing through reflections; Or made of beat and jingle a prayer that is heard. Prayer O river of beauty and radiance! Grant me a scintilla of light; Grant me eyes full of laughter and lips full of delight. For this minor heart of mine, I seek a beloved’s souvenir; O river of beauty and radiance! Grant me a scintilla of light. For this pitch-dark sorrow’s manor, a glowing grain to quell the night; Grant me eyes full of laughter and lips full of delight. For this rapture and its yearning, grant me a dear beloved’s sight, Indulge me with your greater love; grant me your gracious face’s pride. For this being’s withered garden, I seek a covenant of spring, I don’t ask you to grant me heaven; I’m not seeking Sinai’s height. Let this dream’s very breath and time point to its own interpretation, Grant me the bosom of a fakir, and a heart with a shah’s elation. A Spring Night It was an enchanting night in spring, Alive with sparkling and shimmering stars; The pretty moon stood still in wonder While a madman pleaded to his love. ‘Give me the knowing from on high, My eyes a rapture from your self, From your own self, my love, your self!’ The madman pleaded to his love. Radiance flowed with a sudden crash, A bit in trance and a little proud, Finding speech as the being turned mute. The madman pleaded to his love The madman pried open his heart, Could barely let inside a spark; The rest was full of the world and self. The madman pleaded to his love The river receded and light flowed back, As to the beloved love’s rapture returned, Leaving the madman and his pledge behind. It was an enchanting night in spring. Simla, Hindustan 7 December 1944