Be human again! 
(Abar tora manush ha!)

Kazi Nazrul Islam

Translated by: Dr. Mohammad Omar Farooq 
[3/17/2000]

 

After losing our independence, when we became disbelievers in our self-confidence and turned toward Heaven to plead to an unknown, stone-hearted deity, then like a divine message, new hope resonated through the voice of the poet, "Let us not bemoan the loss of the country, BE HUMAN AGAIN!" Just because we are now colonized does not mean that we are going to be colonized forever. No one could be subjugated permanently because it is contrary to the law of nature. No one has ever won a war against nature. They, who on becoming free have forgotten their days of servitude and now want to crush others through subjugation, were not under servitude forever. Who knows what cruel retribution the natural law has destined for those who, after achieving their strength and power, are now so terribly abusing it. "Aisa din nehi rahega", such days will not last forever. It is not unreasonable to think that today's pauper can become tomorrow's king. The oppressor will face the consequences of his oppression. Who can say that the victim whom I exercise my lordship over by depriving him of his God-given freedom, humanity and dignity will not rise up and kick my head tomorrow? The wealth of power grows through its just utilization, while it dissipates through its unjustly waste.

Let us not be an object of others' grievance and sadness, as the sincere supplication of the aggrieved can shake up the throne of God. The Roman empire saw its own demise due to abuse of power and strength; so was the case of Germany. Bharat too has experienced, is experiencing and will experience many such rises and falls. The conscience is incessantly alerting the animalism in humans against such injustice and oppression. The power of the conscience is infinite. Those who so powerfully and indomitably use their animal power are also torn apart, feel lowly before their conscience. Being ashamed they have put on the mask of arrogance. The donkey-face will inevitably be revealed someday from within the lion's mask. The trickery of the blue fox will not endure.

That is why I say, just because we have lost our outward independence does not mean that we must also surrender our inner independence. Today the whole world is applying its strength and abilities in its craze for freedom - to unchain itself - and people irrespective of their age are rushing forward and pouring their heart into the flame of independence, crying with one voice: "freedom, freedom, freedom ..." In their hands are flags of liberty, in their voices is the trumpet of freedom, in their beds is the glory of dignified death and gratification of emancipation. Yet, even in this freedom-seeking, new age of transformation, we are on a continuous descent into a life of slavery, of lack of self-respect, of disgraceful cowardice.

We have become so low that even if someone brings such issues up, we vigorously engage in bickering against this. The general point of their argument is that if we give up our slavery or servitude, how are we going to earn our sustenance? What a lowly, disgraceful question! As if we were born to merely fill our stomach like dogs and cats. I do not know why Divinity does not strike down these wretched souls who shamelessly come forward to argue on this matter. Instead of living like the half-dead, when the whole world is showing its passion for dignified life, even through death, should we not feel even the least shame in revealing such lowly attitudes of heartlessness and servitude? Sadly I must say, "Strike this nation with your thunder, O Lord, until this nation is freed from its trance."

Who will break this trance? Who will remove this chain? Yes, there is an answer: it is "us". By hiding our head like a herd of sheep we are not going to be spared by the wolves - those wolves will pull us by our ears until we are killed and consumed.

We hear the call of the nation, but none of us comes forward. Some, however, are asking to be shown what others are doing and then to be told to act. This approach is of the escapists. Our motherland is calling upon all of us: anyone who has a conscience, a sense of responsibility, or humanity should come forward with dignity and pride. Do you not have your own self-consciousness? Must you simply follow others after seeing what they do? Who is the leader? Your conscience is your leader; your sense of responsibility is your mentor. The real leaders merely echo your conscience. The issue of possibility/impossibility is irrelevant before the sense of responsibility and sacrifice. Therefore, statements such as "this is possible, that is not" are childish, foolish.

Why would YOU be needed for something that is already possible? Because it is impossible. The country needs your sacrifice. One can be charitable without crossing the boundary of self-interest, but the same does not apply to sacrifice. Apply the strength you have, seek the means to dignify yourself before the nation, before God, you will find utmost gratification before your conscience. THIS is your reward. Just because others are hell-bound, must you follow in their footsteps?

Why are we only tired and weary today? In response to "How long are you going to survive like this?" how long are we going to say "As long as there is trouble"? Are we unable to embrace hardship and suffering for our country, for liberty or emancipation? Has there been any country that was emancipated, or can it ever be, without sacrifice and martyrdom? To rise above self-interest one has to embrace hardship and suffering; sacrifice does not come from the easy-chair. Moreover, such suffering is only external. The gratification one feels at any true and noble effort, the way our spirit lights up at the brilliance of a beautiful ray, the way the tearful, affectionate glance of the brothers and sisters of our nation greets us, or the way the world congratulates such pursuits, can none of these mitigate that outward suffering and hardship?

Which one is more precious? The paltry, outward suffering, or the divine satisfaction of the heart and soul? What do you seek - the disgraceful death of street dogs/cats, or immortality in a human death? What do you cherish - servitude or liberty? What do you desire - to be revered as a human being, or to be treated like a foot-licking dog? What do you want - to see and stand in dignity and glory with head up, or to lower your gaze like an obedient slave before his master's wish and feet over his head? If the latter is your preference, then you can go to hell. Go and fill your stomach, and lick others' feet!

And, those who can embrace the path of sacrifice, those who will not melt on seeing the sad faces in their homes, those who have the valor to offer their lives, those who can brave the adversity: come along! The right hand of the country-mother, the teardrop-flowers like affection is ready to pour over your head. Let the humiliation anoint our naked existence. The death-winning talisman is wrapped around our arms - what is there to fear?

Do you remember that day when in response to the call of her country mother Sharola Debi, a daughter of Bengal, sought help even from Punjab? Who did not respond to her noble call? If even such a call does not elicit your response, then I will know that you are dead. All your summons and cries, O Mother, are a waste. If you can, please bring the elixir to save your dead child. If you cannot, feed them the seed of the thorn-apple so that they can go crazy. With this, they will not awaken like a human being, yet they will awaken. I know that there can be bad sons, but not bad mothers. Yet, how long will you spoil them with affection? You have to be a bad mother now. You must awaken us by roughing us up. We tolerate the strikes of others, but it is more difficult to bear the strikes of our dear ones. Therefore, mere calling is not enough. Let your fury manifest everywhere. There might be hope that through the depth of fury, the strike of the avenging deity, our humanity might awaken. We might awaken with the strike of shame. That is why I urge you to join me in chorus and say:

"Geche desh dukhkho nai, abar tora manush ho!"

"Bemoan not the loss of the land, JUST BE HUMAN AGAIN!"

[Nazrul Rochonaboli, Vol. 1, pp. 811-813, 1996.]

Home