My first and only meeting with the saintly Punjabi poet Sai Akhtar Lahori took place at the World Punjabi Conference held at Flatties Hotel in Lahore in 2001. During the conference, his poetry captivated everyone in attendance. Among all his works, two poems received an extraordinary response:
“Allah Mian Thalle Aa”
and
“Allah Mian Utte Ee Rahu.”
I had the opportunity to sit with him twice in the hotel garden and speak at length. During those conversations, I learned that he originally belonged to Pasrur Tehsil in Sialkot. Since he had spent a major part of his life in Lahore, he adopted the pen name Lahori. His poetry carries a deep imprint of rural life and village culture.
Sai Akhtar Lahori was a disciple of the legendary poet Ustad Daman, who was known for fearlessly challenging every government of his time. Following his teacher’s tradition, Sai Akhtar combined satire with humour to expose the flaws within society, religion, and those in power. His poems struck hard at hypocrisy, injustice, and social decay while remaining simple enough to connect with ordinary people.
Only one collection of his poetry, titled “Allah Mian Thalle Aa,” was published in the Gurmukhi script on this side of the border. Despite searching through my personal library many times, I have not been able to find my copy. If you have it, please let me know. Rajinder Bimal published it through Kuknus Prakashan.
Take a look at the distinctive style of the people’s poet, Sai Akhtar Lahori.
Allah Mian Utte Ee Rahu
By Sai Akhtar Lahori
Allah Mian, stay where You are above.
Whatever we do, please say nothing.
We burn in open courts,
We starve and sigh in silence.
Even when everything is taken from us, we cannot protest.
If we dare complain against those in power,
A hundred sticks are waiting for us.
Allah Mian, stay where You are above.
Whatever we do, please say nothing.
The petitioner returns home exhausted.
People grow old attending endless hearings.
Justice is traded inside the courts,
Judges have sold themselves.
No guardian of fairness remains.
Allah Mian, stay where You are above.
Whatever we do, please say nothing.
Places of worship stand under watch.
Heads bow in prayer, but eyes remain fearful.
Even a moving shadow causes panic.
Mothers hesitate to send their children to the mosque.
Fear has become a part of childhood.
Allah Mian, stay where You are above.
Whatever we do, please say nothing.
The powerful command us to massage their feet.
The weak are pushed aside and humiliated.
Anyone who speaks is beaten and chased away.
People are punished for someone else’s amusement.
Five hundred are taken, but only one hundred are counted.
Allah Mian, stay where You are above.
Whatever we do, please say nothing.
What will You achieve by coming down?
Our condition will only bring You sorrow.
Stay where You are.
Allah Mian, stay where You are above.
Whatever we do, please say nothing.
Our own people devour us.
Bombs explode in every corner.
Then the same people return to the mosque to pray.
Allah Mian, stay where You are above.
Whatever we do, please say nothing.
Some are killed, others become killers.
Some burn their children because hunger leaves no choice.
You keep watching, perhaps even smiling.
Allah Mian, stay where You are above.
Whatever we do, please say nothing.
There is no goodness left in their hearts.
They have forgotten the meaning of respect.
Endure the endless conflicts of humankind.
Allah Mian, stay where You are above.
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