The Punjabi word “Aivanyi” is a beautifully expressive term with a carefree, slightly indifferent tone. It doesn’t have an exact equivalent in English or Hindi. It means just like that, or for no particular reason. It has a lot of attitude; sophisticated and overly civilised people might avoid using this amazing word.

I wonder if this word was a part of Ghalib’s vocabulary; would he have used it? He had an attitude for sure, and he beautifully expressed his frustration with the civilised society –

Rahiye ab aisi jagah chal kar jahan koi na ho
ham-suḳhan koi na ho aur ham-zaban koi na ho!

(Come, let us live in a place where there is no one. Where no one speaks our language, and there is no one to converse with.)

There was a time when there was no civilised society. Humans lived in trees or in caves, with no religion, no political affiliations, no left or right, no caste; the only social activity was hunting or calling on females of the same species. Other than that, no competition, no permanent friendships, no permanent enmity, in short, life was peaceful. Then we became civilised and started killing for the sake of killing, mating for the sake of mating, encouraging divisive tendencies for political gains and other such human things.

The animals suffered the most due to civilisation; they were domesticated, caged and tortured. They are still being taken advantage of. It is time we start learning their language and reserve seats in the parliament for people who know animal language and can safeguard their interests. Give animals a chance to govern. There should be a quota within a quota to defend the rights of the less privileged among animals. This should include the elephant, who should get a chance to rule the jungle; lions have been doing it for ages. Zebra has been flaunting its beautiful stripes for so long; now, the camel should be given a chance. Why should it be a beast of burden? A monkey cannot be expected to hang from branches forever; it should get space in caves now. Mice could get wings, with colourful feathers, and crows should demand colours to beat the monotony of the boring look they have been carrying for ages. Dogs might demand loyalty from their owners, and cats could expect their owners to look cute.

Humans have messed up the world enough; let animals get a chance. How much more can they mess up the world?

Mirza Ghalib would have described my state of mind after writing all this, in these words-

Bak raha hoon junoon mein kya kya kuchch
kuchh na samjhe Khudaa kare koyi

(Oh God, I pray that no one comprehends all that I rant and rave in ecstasy.)

Photos and text by Prerna Jain.