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Muhammad Siyar was a nobleman from the village Shogram, in the main valley of Chitral. He lived during the latter half of the Eighteenth Century and the early years of the nineteenth century. Siyar travelled far and wide in search of knowledge, and was the most learned man of his time in Chitral. He wrote Persian poetry characterized by “spiritual romanticism” in the style of Hafiz Sherazi, preserved in a book named “Diwan e Siyar”. He also wrote an epic glorifying the history of Chitral. But what he is mostly remembered for is the long Khowar song “Yarman Hamin”, which he is said to have composed for his beloved living in Reshun village, across the river. Siyar’s love story is the most romantic one among the folk tales of the region, which also has been enacted and telecast by Pakistan Television.
Literati, researchers and academician believe that his poetry was largely touched by love for divinity (ishq-e-haqiqi) exemplified through material instances (ishq-e-majazi), such as ‘beloved’ ‘red-colored soil’, rose-bud lips, ‘bowl’, ‘dance’ and so on. He seems to have used inductive method—moving from specific observations material existence (majaz) to strengthen belief in divinity and its broader generalizations.
Here a few lines from ‘Yarmin Hamin’ are translated. (SHAMS UD DIN)
- Besides my grave, had there been music and a chance;
Dispensing with shroud, I would have loved it to dance. - Those ruby-red lips, pearly teeth glamorizing utterance;
Inspires the queenly look-furthering pain and sufferance. - What a charming manner of holding bowl and taking it!
O Siyar! My heart dislodged and fell into stomach’s pit. - Don’t step on dirt, make my heart stepping stone instead;
So as ache of sweet heart and its sensation could be read. - Over hard mountain, drove the restive soul in scorching heat;
I cried, shed tear but went on, crediting to thy engaging feat. - Angel, fairy nor daughter of fairy but some of human society;
O God! T’s the miracle of thy creation shaping such beauty. - Spoiled by mother’s care, this lad can’t withstand grief; Thus preferring soul’s flight to eternal peace and relief.
- Lifespan decreases like the shrinking autumn river;
Alas! Premier age’s gone, the grief of senility hover. - Those ruby-red lips with pearly teeth breezing fragrance;
O my fairy! To thee I say: ‘Siyar’s pain beyond endurance. - Thy life easy with rose gardens and fields rippling green;
Mine is wretched since surrendered to thy love so keen. - Don’t tailor shroud, only install pennant by my grave;
To enliven my love for her and the world that I crave. - Have a sojourn at Shogram, then proceed onto Reshun please;
To thee bouquet I’ll share, with rose petal pelt me and tease. - To physical closeness I prefer the pain of solitude;
Better not feel sorry since wedding and servitude.
"Yar Man Hameen" on Flute
Ustad Taleem Khan.
Another Translation of Yarmanhameen
by John Biddulph,1880