Last month, in the freezing climes of Islamabad, we talked about Parveen Shakir, Pakistan’s popular poet who died at a young age.
One of Parveen’s poems invokes the legend and metaphor of Dr Faustus:
“The name ‘Faust’ has become deeply rooted in European mythology as the name of a man who sold his soul to the devil in return for eartly power and riches. The Faust legend has been embellished and retold in many formats …”
I found this skillful translation of her poem – We Are All Dr Faustus – by another noteworthy poet Alamgir Hashmi on this site.
We Are All Dr Faustus
In a way we are all
Dr Faustus.
One from his craze
and another helpless from blackmail
barters away his soul.
One mortgages his eyes
to trade in dreams
and another offers
his mind as collateral.
All that one may need sense
is the currency of the day.
So a survey of life’s Wall Street says
that among those with the buying power these days
self-respect is very popular.
The Urdu version was found with the translation
This is an appropriate commentary on what constitutes self-respect and the all-pervasiveness of Wall Street culture in our contemporary existence.
Dara Shikoh with a saint [Src: A. Mittal]
Jahane Rumi 
rumi:
i needed a break – from work – and when i read parveen and the english translation i could not resist attempting a quick one of mine –
The Faustus In Us
rumi:
kyun tung kartay haiN aap?
Khair, i needed a break – from work – and when i read parveen and the english translation i could not resist attempting a quick one of mine –
The Faustus In Us
in (more than) a sense
we resemble Faustus
some sell their soul
for passion, circumstances
force others, some get away
pawning their eyes
to trade in visions
some offer their minds
as collateral
it’s amusing to see
the purchasing power of money
surveying life’s wall street, we find
self respect is the object d’art
most in demand today
I actually like your version better 🙂 On an interesting and unrelated, kind of, note…
The new President of Harvard University is a woman named Dr. Faust.
hehe
Ya Haqq!
Dear Temporal
This is a compact translation and again reflects your inherent creative prowess. However, I have a few comments on the last lines that I will leave on your blog…
aoa
hope u will be fine
i read ur translation this is very nice
well can u write parveen shakar’s Dreecha_e-gul
the introduction of Khusboo and also the first two pages of (intoduction of Sad berg
believe me ther e r many who want to read this in english
even today i was in my university and i was discussing this to my friend
but her urdu proficiency was not good and she wants to read it the english version of dareecha-e-gul
wish if i have power to write in poetic way but i have not so plz think over that idea
regard nirmal
aoa Sir
thanx for ur caring and loving reply
and May Allah bless u for ur kindness and care.
u ca not imagin how much i love Parveen shakar.i m now 24 and i was infirst introduce by her when i was in matric
since that day she is with me
i never think that she is no more now .i always feel her near i talk her .might u think that it is crazyness but it happens
once again thanx
love and dua
nirmal
Hello Raza,
I’m a young American in my twenties, who would love to visit Pakistan some day – particularly Lahore. I’m a visual artist and have a profound appreciation for poets and free expression. I stumbled on your blog today and look forward to reading more of your body of work.
I would like to understand your perspective on “selling your soul to the devil,” or rather money. More specifically, how do you feel about women in your country entering into business? Do you think it will change the family structure, and if so, how? And please excuse me if I come across as an ignorant American, but to what capacity are women seeking a life in the business in your country? Unfortunately, our news seems to dumb America down rather than informing it.
I hope to not offend you, but rather have an honest dialog about life. I look forward to your response.
Meg its me nirmal
i can not explain u sellinng ur soul to devil.but i can tell u more about pakistani female
look Meg now the trend is changed in Pakistan about education .pakistani woman is fully educated
we r prefering mamngement sciences
even my apptitude is nt toward buisness but my father insised me to get post graduation degree in buisness
and our family structure is so strong .most pakistanies still have joint family
divorce rate as compare to other is very low
our bonds with our family r strong
and educated woman is completely fully aware of her responsilbility
at the same time she is looking her home ,husband ,parents .and kids
we r proud of this status
well if u want to know more about islam and want to meet friendly nice people can u join us on our forum.u will meet extra special people with ful knowledge and very friendly
if i u want to mmet then i will give u id
urs sis
nirmal
[…] February 2007 I came across a poem by Parveen Shakir on Jahane Rumi. Alamgir Hashmi had also transcreated it in English. Here is the original and then his […]