Topi Pahno Na Pahno
(Wear the Cap or Not)
By Braj Ranjan Mani
05 January, 2014
Countercurrents.org
Topi pahno na pahno dimaag khula rakkho
Ho arsh par ya farsh par dil dariya rakkho
Nek aur sachche ho to koi kasar kyun rakkho
Har buraai ke khilaf inqalaab zinda rakkho
(Whether you wear the cap or not, keep the mind open.
High in the sky or low on the ground, keep the heart open.
If you’re good and truthful, why don’t you go all the way.
Against every wrong keep the revolution alive.)
Nek se ek aur behtar banane ka jazba rakkho
Aur bhi hain umde log aur vichar yaad rakkho
Bechain log bahut hain darwaza khula rakkho
Har tangdili ke khilaf inqalaab zinda rakkho
(Use goodness to aspire and strive for the better—
Bond with other good folks, other good ideas.
For them, for all the restless souls, keep the doors open.
Against all pettiness keep the revolution alive.)
Amiron ka nahin faqeeron ka tareeqa rakkho
Jo hain bebas bacche sabse aage unko rakkho
Kisi ko doodh ya phool ka mohtaz mat rakkho
Har saazish ke khilaf inqalaab zinda rakkho
(Embrace the ways of the selfless, not of the wealthy.
Value the vulnerable, restore them their dignity.
Get all kids food and flowers, let them blossom.
Against all withholding keep the revolution alive.)
Baz ko kabootaron ka sarparast mat rakkho
Badmashi ka koi ho rang virodh jari rakkho
Andhera ab jeet lenge log koshish jari rakkho
Har jor-zulm ke khilaf inqalaab zinda rakkho
(Don’t put the doves under the protection of falcons.
Uncover, confront whatever the hues of villainy.
It’s time the suffering people wage the war and win.
Against all atrocities keep the revolution alive.)
Satta se aage hai manzil sangharsh jari rakkho
Laro haro jito lekin chingari sulagaye rakkho
Andhera to hai par dil ka diya roshan rakkho
Har nainsaafi ke khilaf inqalaab zinda rakkho
(The goal is not power politics, keep the struggle up.
Contest, fight, win or lose, but don’t give up the fire.
Yes, there is darkness still, light your heart bright.
Against every injustice keep the revolution alive.)
Topi pahno na pahno dimaag khula rakkho
Ho arsh par ya farsh par dil dariya rakkho
Nek aur sachche ho to koi kasar kyun rakkho
Har buraai ke khilaf inqalaab zinda rakkho
(Whether you wear the cap or not, keep the mind open.
High in the sky or low on the ground, keep the heart open.
If you’re good and truthful, why don’t you go all the way.
Against every wrong keep the revolution alive.)
Braj Ranjan Mani is the author of Debrahmanising History: Dominance and Resistance in Indian Society (2005). Manohar has recently published Mani’s important new work Knowledge and Power: A Discourse for Transformation.
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