Urdu poetry, a tapestry woven with threads of longing and belonging, has long resonated with the experiences of the “pardesi,” the one who journeys to a distant land. From the melancholic verses penned during the Mughal era, a time of frequent travel and displacement, to the contemporary expressions of immigrants navigating a world of cultural nuances, poems capture the bittersweet symphony of the pardesi’s life.
Pardesi (Immigrant) in 2 Lines Urdu Poetry
kis ko paar utaaraa tum ne kis ko paar utaaroge
mallaaho tum pardesii ko biich bha.nvar me.n maaroge
IBN E INSHA
guzre hu.e dilkash lamho.n kii bhuulii hu.ii yaad aisii aa.ii
jaise ko.ii piitam pardesii sote me.n achaanak aa jaa.e
NUSHUR WAHIDI
pardesii suunii aa.nkho.n me.n sho.ale se lahraate hai.n
bhaabii kii chhe.Do.n saa baadal aapaa kii chuTkii saa chaa.nd
NIDA FAZLI
kaif’ pardes me.n mat yaad karo apnaa makaa.n
ab ke baarish ne use to.D giraayaa hogaa
KAIF BHOPALI
kisii ko gaa.nv se pardes le jaa.egii phir shaayad
u.Daatii rail-gaa.Dii Dher saaraa phir dhu.aa.n aa.ii
MUNAWWAR RANA
Pardes (Immigration) in Status Shayari
kyaa kam hai karam ye apno.n kaa pahchaan.ne vaalaa ko.ii nahii.n
jo des me.n bhii pardesii hai.n un ham-vatano.n kii yaad aa.ii
QATEEL SHIFAI
vo jis ke vaaste pardes jaa rahaa huu.n mai.n
bichha.Dte vaqt usii kii taraf nahii.n dekhaa
MUNAWWAR RANA
logo! ham pardesii ho kar jaane kyaa kyaa kho baiThe
apne kuuche bhii lagte hai.n begaane begaane se
HUMAIRA RAHMAN
ham to hai.n pardes me.n des me.n niklaa hogaa chaa.nd
apnii raat kii chhat par kitnaa tanhaa hogaa chaa.nd
RAHI MASOOM RAZA
aa.nsuu taare ra.ng gulaab sabhii pardes chale jaate hai.n
aaKHir aaKHir tanhaa.ii hai kis ne kis kaa saath diyaa hai
BASHIR BADR
Going Abroad in Urdu Ghazal
Forget fleeting “status shayari” on social media that romanticizes the life of the immigrant. Going abroad, in itself is a topic of pain for the travelers who leave their homeland. Renowned poets like Mirza Ghalib, a 19th-century master of the ghazal form, understood the yearning for home that lingers in the heart of the pardesi. His poignant line, “Woh jo shehr mein rahe aur gham na kare woh gham kiya jaane” (The one who resides in a city and feels no sorrow, what does he know of sorrow?), resonates with the bittersweet nature of leaving behind loved ones and familiar surroundings in pursuit of dreams. Going abroad is an emotion full of tears in eyes and heavy heartedness. Nobody want to leave the country where he brought up. But, severe conditions, need of better lifestyle and support for blood relations, urges a person to do so.
Leaving Country in Nazm (Poem)
Leaving own country is not easy. Urdu poetry delves deeper than just the initial pangs of separation. Many poems of famous Indian and Pakistani poets have covered this topic. Faiz Ahmed Faiz, a 20th-century icon of progressive thought, explored the complexities of assimilation in “Hum Dekhenge”: “Hum dekhenge, laikin yeh zameen hamein dekhegi / Hum bagheeri hai is mulk ke hain, par pardaisi nahi” (We shall see, but this land will see us / We are gardeners of this nation, but not strangers). This verse highlights the struggle of belonging, the desire to contribute while acknowledging the inherent challenges of forging a new identity in a foreign land.
The beauty of Urdu poetry lies in its ability to capture the intricate tapestry of emotions. Jaun Elia, a contemporary voice known for his unflinching social commentary, paints a poignant picture in “Pardesi ki Shaam”: “Shaam dhalti hai iss pardesi shahr mein / Yaadon ke jugnoo jal rahe hain” (Evening descends in this foreign city / The fireflies of memories are lit). This verse captures the bittersweet ache of nostalgia, the yearning for a past life amidst the realities of the present.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Urdu poetry serves as a powerful testament to the human spirit’s resilience and adaptability. While the “pardesi” grapples with the weight of displacement and the constant negotiation of cultural identities, these verses offer a space for reflection, solace, and the celebration of the enduring power of hope. They remind us that the human experience transcends geographical borders, fostering empathy and understanding for those who navigate the journey of being a pardesi. As we appreciate the artistic merit of these words, we gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities and richness of the human experience, both in our own lives and in the lives of others.
