Stars Speak to Man by Abdul Ahad Azad

Introduction: “Stars Speak to Man” is one of the greatest poems of Abdul Ahad Azad translated into English by Prof G.R Malik. Azad is often known as John Keats of Kashmir because like Keats he also wrote modernist poems and both died early in the forties. His work is still famous among Kashmiris and he has composed many well known Kashmiri songs which are sung all over Kashmir. He, for the most part, dedicated his verse to Allah (God.) He desired through his poems to make sensibility and to create awareness among individuals. He helped people to remember what they were made for and what they have been doing, they have overlooked the genuine reason they were made for. He wanted people to wake up from the whimsical sleep and accomplish something to support humankind before it is too late. He was born in Ranger Chadoora 1903 and died in 1948.

Summary of ” Stars Speak to Man”

The poet Abdul Ahad Azad in the poem “Stars Speak to Man” talks about the callousness and avarice of a man who happens to be the crown of creation. The poet laments the lamentable state of a man who was born with the capability of making sound decisions but chose the path of destruction and discredited the entire human race. He was designed to share and distribute love and affection but he let go of his conscience by trading in religion and faith. He started amassing the world’s wealth for himself, the doors of which were opened up for him. This wealth he had to share out justly. The poet says that we share one world; we belong to one mankind because we are all one. He then wonders who has put the double standards in the man’s heart. The man who pretends to be supporting his religion is in reality far from being pious, he cares neither for religion nor for faith. Thus, humanity mourns the fall of the man. The poet then asks that should all humans’ chain that religion and faith which is intended to turns the unity of the world into utter chaos. Man has wrought havoc in the name of religion and patriotism. The thing which he calls awakening (enlightenment) is basically an intoxication. Man’s downfall has been brought by the man himself but he holds his fate responsible for it. The poet then asks how can a man expect to move ahead in his life by following the out-dated methods.

There is restlessness in the heart of a man and his eyes are veiled by fantasies which will prove to be mere dreams. The poet urges the man to wake up and come out from the world of fantasies. All his friends are heartbroken, defected owing to his callous attitude. In the last two lines. We’re shown the height of man’s callousness how in his own garden he sprinkles the twigs and leaves and deserts the roots, how he loots his own home (here earth) and causes large scale destruction.

Stars Speak to man

1. They say that man was born with the capability of making sound decisions but owing to his insensitivity chose the path of fire and put the entire human race to shame.

2. The man was designed to share and distribute love and affection bet he let go of his conscience by trading in religion and faith.

3. Because he is amassing wealth only for himself and is not letting anyone get closer to it.

4. Because in the name of religion and patriotism man has wreaked havoc which according to the stars is merely an intoxication.

5. Yes, it is a wakeup call because it reveals the apathy of a man who owing to his insensitivity has brought about chaos on the otherwise peaceful planet (earth).

QUESTIONS ANSWERS

1) What do the stars say to man in the first two lines?

Ans. The stars say that man was born with the capability of making sound decisions but owing to his insensitivity chose the path of fire and put the entire human race to shame.

2) Nature had fashioned you to apportion love and affection

But you took to buying and selling religion and faith instead.

Explain these lines.

Ans. The man was designed to share and distribute love and affection but he let go of his conscience by trading in religion and faith.

3) Why is man described as a serpent?

Ans. Man is described as a serpent because he is amassing wealth only for himself and is not letting anyone get closer to it.

4) “That which you call awakening is a stupefying hangover”. Why?

Ans. Because in the name of religion and patriotism man has wreaked havoc which according to the stars is merely an intoxication.

5) Do you think the poem is a wake-up call? Explain.

Ans. Yes, it is a wakeup call because it reveals the apathy of a man who owing to his insensitivity has brought about chaos on the otherwise peaceful planet (earth).

Language work

1. Fill in the blanks to make a meaningful summary of the poem.

The poem is addressed to man. The poet tells Man that he was the light of reason but he put humanity to disgrace. Nature had provided him with treasures of bounties to share them equitably but he sat serpent-like on them. His heart is restlessly vibrating and his vision clouded by fantasies. In his own garden, he cut the roots while watering twings and leaves . He has ransacked and ravaged his own home.

2. Use the following phrases in your own sentences.

Choose to be: It is up to us to choose to be what.

Take to: He took to smoking when he was very young.
Throw open: The road was thrown open for the public.

Pose to be: He posed to be a hero when he was not.

Fall into: The modern man has fallen into an abyss by this corrupt practice.

Tear apart: The police tore apart the building in search of the criminal.