For Your Lanes, My Country – Faiz Ahmad Faiz | Bengali & English Meaning BA ENGLISH HONS 6TH SEMESTER BANKURA UNIVERSITY
For Your Lanes, My Country – Faiz Ahmad Faiz
(Translated by Riz Rahim)
Poem with Bengali Meaning & Explanation (Line by Line)
English:
For your lanes, my country,
I can sacrifice all I have
বাংলা:
তোমার গলিপথগুলির জন্য, আমার দেশ,
আমি আমার সর্বস্ব ত্যাগ করতে পারি
Explanation:
The poet begins with a strong declaration of his deep patriotism. He loves his country so much that he is willing to give up his life and everything he owns just for the streets of his homeland.
Word Notes:
lanes = গলিপথ/রাস্তা
sacrifice = ত্যাগ করা/উৎসর্গ করা
English:
but the custom these days is
no one walks with head held high.
বাংলা:
কিন্তু আজকালকার রীতি হলো
কেউ মাথা উঁচু করে হাঁটে না।
Explanation:
The poet points out the oppressive atmosphere currently destroying the country. The citizens are ruled by fear and tyranny, forcing them to live without dignity or pride.
Word Notes:
custom = রীতি/প্রথা
head held high = মাথা উঁচু করে/গর্বের সাথে
English:
The lovers looking for each other must sneak out
afraid of life and limb, and
বাংলা:
একে অপরের সন্ধানে থাকা প্রেমিকদের লুকিয়ে বের হতে হয়
জীবন ও অঙ্গহানির ভয়ে, এবং
Explanation:
Here, "lovers" act as a metaphor for patriots or truth-seekers. Because of the cruel government, people who love the country and want to unite for its freedom have to hide and act in secret, constantly afraid of being killed or tortured.
Word Notes:
sneak out = লুকিয়ে বের হওয়া/চুপিসারে পালানো
afraid of life and limb = জীবন ও অঙ্গহানির ভয়ে (শারীরিক ক্ষতির ভয়)
English:
for them, a new order of the day now:
"the bricks and stones are imprisoned,
and the stray dogs free to roam."
বাংলা:
তাদের জন্য, এখন দিনের নতুন নিয়ম:
"ইট-পাথর বন্দি,
আর রাস্তার কুকুরেরা স্বাধীনভাবে ঘুরে বেড়ায়।"
Explanation:
The poet references a famous quote by the 13th-century Persian poet Saadi to describe the injustice of the current regime. Good, solid, and innocent people (the bricks and stones) are thrown into prison, while wicked, dangerous, and corrupt individuals (the stray dogs) are given the freedom to terrorize society.
Word Notes:
order of the day = বর্তমান নিয়ম/অবস্থা
imprisoned = বন্দি/কারারুদ্ধ
stray dogs = রাস্তার কুকুর (রূপক অর্থে দুষ্ট লোক)
roam = ঘুরে বেড়ানো
Second Stanza
English:
For the many apologists of tyranny,
it's enough that a few of your dear friends
have turned into power-seekers,
judges and plaintiffs.
বাংলা:
স্বৈরাচারের অনেক সাফাই গায়কদের জন্য,
এটাই যথেষ্ট যে তোমার কয়েকজন প্রিয় বন্ধু
ক্ষমতা-সন্ধানী,
বিচারক এবং বাদীতে পরিণত হয়েছে।
Explanation:
The poet talks about betrayal. The people who support the cruel rulers justify the oppression by pointing out that some former patriots (the country's "dear friends") have become corrupt. These traitors have abandoned their ideals to become greedy politicians, biased judges, and accusers working for the regime.
Word Notes:
apologists = সমর্থক/সাফাই গায়ক
tyranny = স্বৈরাচার/অত্যাচার
power-seekers = ক্ষমতা-লোভী/ক্ষমতা-সন্ধানী
plaintiffs = বাদী/অভিযোগকারী
English:
Who can you ask to represent you,
who can you ask justice from?
বাংলা:
তুমি কাকে তোমার প্রতিনিধিত্ব করতে বলবে,
কার কাছে তুমি ন্যায়বিচার চাইবে?
Explanation:
Since the system is entirely corrupt and even former friends have joined the oppressors, the poet laments that there is no one left to defend the innocent citizens. The courts are compromised, making true justice impossible to find.
Word Notes:
represent = প্রতিনিধিত্ব করা
justice = ন্যায়বিচার
English:
But people do survive, away from you,
worry about you, day and night
but manage somehow.
বাংলা:
কিন্তু মানুষ ঠিকই বেঁচে থাকে, তোমার থেকে দূরে,
দিনরাত তোমার জন্য চিন্তা করে
কিন্তু কোনোভাবে সামলে নেয়।
Explanation:
Despite the harsh realities of exile, imprisonment, and lack of justice, the true patriots find a way to survive away from their beloved country. They endure the pain, constantly thinking and worrying about their homeland day and night.
Word Notes:
survive = বেঁচে থাকা/টিকে থাকা
manage somehow = কোনোভাবে সামলে নেওয়া
Summary of the Poem Excerpt
This section of "For Your Lanes, My Country" by Faiz Ahmad Faiz highlights the poet's profound love for his homeland contrasted against the painful reality of living under an oppressive regime. The poet begins by declaring his willingness to sacrifice everything for his country. However, he observes that the current environment is filled with fear, where citizens can no longer live with dignity, and patriots (referred to as "lovers") must operate in secret to avoid torture or death. Using a famous Persian metaphor, he notes the tragic irony of their society: the innocent and strong are imprisoned, while the wicked roam free.
The poem also deals with the pain of betrayal. The poet laments that some former friends of the nation have abandoned their morals to seek power, becoming corrupt judges and officials for the tyrannical government. Because the system is entirely broken, the common people have no one to turn to for justice or representation. Despite this forced exile and lack of rights, the loyal citizens manage to survive physically, though their hearts remain burdened with constant worry for their beloved country.
Poem with Bengali Meaning & Explanation
English:
When the prison gratings darken,
my heart sees stars sprinkled in your hair,
when I see light through these gratings
I know your face would be bathed in dawn.
বাংলা:
যখন জেলের গরাদ অন্ধকার হয়ে আসে,
আমার হৃদয় তোমার চুলে ছড়ানো তারাদের দেখতে পায়,
যখন আমি এই গরাদের ফাঁক দিয়ে আলো দেখি
আমি জানি তোমার মুখ ভোরবেলার আলোয় স্নান করবে।
Explanation:
As night falls and the prison cell becomes dark, the imprisoned poet imagines his country as a beautiful presence with stars shining in her hair. When morning light enters through the bars, he feels hopeful, envisioning his homeland illuminated by the fresh dawn.
Word Notes:
gratings = গরাদ (iron bars of the prison)
sprinkled = ছড়ানো
bathed = স্নান করা/আলোকিত হওয়া
dawn = ভোর
English:
In any case,
I live in imagined days and nights,
I exist in the shadow of the prison walls.
বাংলা:
যাই হোক না কেন,
আমি কল্পনার দিন ও রাতে বেঁচে থাকি,
জেলের দেওয়ালের ছায়ায় আমার অস্তিত্ব টিকে থাকে।
Explanation:
Confined in prison, the poet survives by dreaming about his country constantly. His physical body is trapped behind the dark walls, but his mind and imagination remain completely free.
Word Notes:
imagined = কল্পিত
exist = অস্তিত্ব থাকা
shadow = ছায়া
English:
This is how people fight oppression,
their ritual isn't new, nor are my ways new.
This is how we always grew flowers in fire,
their defeat isn't new, our victory isn't new.
বাংলা:
এভাবেই মানুষ অত্যাচারের বিরুদ্ধে লড়াই করে,
তাদের এই প্রথা নতুন নয়, আর আমার পথও নতুন নয়।
এভাবেই আমরা সর্বদা আগুনের মধ্যে ফুল ফুটিয়েছি,
তাদের পরাজয় নতুন নয়, আমাদের জয়ও নতুন নয়।
Explanation:
The poet realizes that suffering in prison is a common sacrifice against tyranny throughout history. Oppressed people have always created hope and victory ('flowers') out of suffering ('fire'). He is confident because history proves that oppressors are always defeated eventually.
Word Notes:
oppression = অত্যাচার/নিপীড়ন
ritual = প্রথা/রীতি
grew flowers in fire = আগুনের মধ্যে ফুল ফোটানো (কষ্টের মাঝে জয়লাভ)
victory = জয়
English:
That's why I don't complain to the Heaven,
or make myself sad thinking about you.
বাংলা:
তাই আমি ঈশ্বরের কাছে অভিযোগ করি না,
বা তোমার কথা ভেবে নিজেকে দুঃখী করি না।
Explanation:
Because he is absolutely certain of ultimate victory, the poet accepts his suffering proudly without blaming God or letting the separation make him depressed.
Word Notes:
complain = অভিযোগ করা
Heaven = স্বর্গ/ঈশ্বর
English:
We are apart today, but tomorrow
we'll be together;
separation for one night isn't much.
বাংলা:
আজ আমরা বিচ্ছিন্ন, কিন্তু কাল
আমরা এক হব;
এক রাতের এই বিচ্ছেদ এমন কিছু বড় কথা নয়।
Explanation:
Compared to the eternal bond he shares with his motherland, this temporary imprisonment (referred to as 'one night') is insignificant. He is optimistic about reuniting in a free future.
Word Notes:
apart = আলাদা/বিচ্ছিন্ন
separation = বিচ্ছেদ
English:
What if my rivals are riding high today,
their reign of a few days isn't much.
Those who remain true to you
understand what the daily turmoil really means.
বাংলা:
আজ যদি আমার শত্রুরা ক্ষমতার শিখরে থাকে তো কী হয়েছে,
তাদের কয়েক দিনের রাজত্ব এমন কিছু দীর্ঘ নয়।
যারা তোমার প্রতি বিশ্বস্ত থাকে
তারাই বোঝে দৈনন্দিন এই অস্থিরতার আসল অর্থ কী।
Explanation:
Even though the oppressive rulers currently hold all the power, it does not bother the poet. He knows their rule will end soon. Only true patriots understand that this everyday struggle and suffering is the necessary price one must pay for ultimate freedom.
Word Notes:
rivals = শত্রু/প্রতিদ্বন্দ্বী
riding high = ক্ষমতার শীর্ষে থাকা
reign = রাজত্ব/শাসনকাল
daily turmoil = দৈনন্দিন অস্থিরতা/সংগ্রাম
Summary of "When the Prison Gratings Darken"
Written from the perspective of a political prisoner, the poet describes how he finds comfort in the darkness of his cell by imagining the beauty of his motherland. He states that fighting against tyranny is not a new concept; throughout history, brave people have faced intense hardships ('fire') to achieve freedom ('flowers'). Because of this historical truth, he does not complain to Heaven or feel heartbroken. He believes that the current separation is just a short, dark night that will soon end. Although the oppressors currently hold power, their reign is temporary. In the end, true patriots understand that all their struggles and sacrifices are meaningful steps toward ultimate victory and freedom.
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