Music as a piece of resistance

Hum dekhein gein, by Faiz Ahmad Faiz

“Jab zulm o sitm ke koh e garan, mite mein mila jayein gein

Hum mehkoonmon ke paon tale jab dharti dhar dhar dharke gei, hum
dekhein gein”

The couplet etches from Faiz’s pen as a revolt against the political system of
Pakistan during Zia’s Regime. The verses seem to equate the poor for the
resentment they have suffered. The prevailing injustice that had divided the
society distinctly was now being challenged by the nation. Gone were the
days when Theocracy would superimpose its rule under the label of
democracy. This inter-nation conflict finds its way all up to the poet’s
translation of the former work. During this time where the martial law, the
ultimate force was made accountable and questionable for the acts which
were being executed parallel in society.

Faiz stressed upon the dire nature of karma, whereby seeds sown of cruelty
will reap in rebellion and resistance. The impenetrable state, once glorified
and heralded by its successors will be brought into rubble and ashes. Faiz
inculcates persistence in its bearers to stand firm and stead-fast as days will
come when they will witness these colossal powers stumble to chaos. His
words pertain to an upheaval for the peasantry for striving towards their
rights over these governing bodies.

As provocative as it is to present time, Faiz’s classical theme remains

unaltered by the fact that even though Pakistan is not a subject to martial
law, it does remain on the verge of a political cataclysm. The human mind
cherishes upon the rapacious need for power, for control, and even though
the state council claims to be a model of Islamic democracy, the cabinet is
governed by Feudal authorities and Army maintaining a vantage that
resonates to every now and then happening of the state. We are
programmed to be believed that the country resides on the paradigm of
social and cultural imperatives, alas, the reality is far from it.

For what the mind believes, the body becomes. Hence the idea of creating a
just society lies not in a utopian realm but where the social strata harmonize
the social pyramid.