Watch the shrike

Shrikes are charming birds of open country, also found in grooves of trees. They decidedly avoid thick forests and can be seen perched on low boughs of trees or bushes few feet above the ground. Keenly searching insects they pounce and devour it on the ground then returns back to its perch. It has fixed territory and is resident specie. The Bay Backed Shrikes are asiatic species found throughout the subcontinent, they have black band across the eyes crossing the beak, a broad grey and white head. A small bird with longish graduated tail they have black wings with white patch, shoulders chestnut maroon. They are also known to mime other birds.

On Arabic poetry: Ahmad Shawqi (1868-1932) is perhaps one of the most prominent figures in recent Arabic history. He is known as a great poet, he was also a leader of the people. Upon the publication of Shawqi's collection "Al-Shawkiyat", a celebration was held in his honor on 1927, where Shawqi was named as Poet- Laureate. Arab nations praised Shawqi's poetic achievements on the rejuvenation of the Arabic language, which constitutes a strong common linking bond for all Arab countries. Sadly this blogger couldn’t get English translation of his poems on the net, I am quite disappointed. So I am writing about one of the greatest Arabic poet Al Mutanabbi (915-965) who was born in what is now modern Iraq. Al-Mutanabbi means 'he who claims to be a prophet', that did define him (the statue is that of Mutannabi in Baghdad on the bank of Tigris). Though a great poet he was a fiery individual bordering egomania, didn’t care much about whom he crossed which eventually led to his murder. Proud of his supremacy as a poet, Al Mutanabbi often sang his own praise with sentences such as:

The desert knows me well, the night and the mounted men.
The battle and the sword, the paper and the pen.

This from the poem “To Sayf al-Dawla”, as was the custom during medieval period of this region most poems were dedicated to the rulers.

Resolutions are measured against those who make them; generosity in accordance with the giver.

Littleness is magnified by small men, while grandeur is deprecated by the great.

Sayf al-Dawla imposes upon the army his will, yet seasoned armies cannot achieve it.

He asks from men all that he has in himself, though even lions would not claim to match that.

Dose al-Hadath know of its red color? Or which of the two pourers was a cloud?

White-streaked clouds had watered al-Hadath before his arrival; when he approached, it was inundated with skulls.

The enemy came at you, hauling their weapons as if they traveled on legless horses

When their ranks caught the light, their swords remained unseen, since their shirts and turbans were also made from steel.

You stayed where you were, when doing so meant certain death: as if perdition itself slept while you stood in its eyelid

Wounded and fleeting, heroes passed you by, while your face remained bright and your lips, smiling.

You surpassed the bounds of courage and understanding, until people claimed that you knew the unseen.

Most medieval period Arabic poems were built on rich oral traditions of pre-Islamic Arabia. Poets glorified the legends and achievements of their tribe, and this very public role later transferred itself to the patronage sought from rulers. The intent of poetry was oral-speaking and singing, and therefore was frequently quoted in streets. Structure and sound was given much importance in constructing the eulogy, use of rhetoric and imagery was common.

Al Mutannabi therefore expertised in exuberant panegyric (the above being an example), unfortunately he also used his skills to lampoon. This created lots of enemy, Al Mutanabbi though remained widely popular and an inspiration for generations of poets for his splendid poetry. Need to add here reading the translation was not much exciting and yes there aren’t many. This blogger believes that cultural groups or governments should create websites to promote these heritages. Internet has become an important tool and virtual world has its own life and increasing influence, and yes English has become a mediatory language, apart from English these translations should be made available in atleast five international languages. Who is responsible for not much literature on Shawqi in the net?. Being a major Arabic poet we would like to know his contribution, we want a website dedicated to all his poems. I strongly think creating these websites is much more important than building malls, ironically it takes one millionth the cost. It is a criminal neglect.

The intention of this blog is no different but in an informal personal way, frankly it is just an attempt. Though I give much importance to literature but the premise is nature, you got to know the birds first!.