Sheen Kaaf Nizam: A Gosha Nasheen Poet With Contemporary Ethos
By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
1 May 2025
Urdu poet Sheen Kaaf Nizam (Shiv Kishan Bissa) officially received Padma Shri on April 28, though his name was announced for the prestigious award on January 25, 2025.
Urdu poet Sheen Kaaf Nizam (Shiv Kishan Bissa)
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Hailing from Jodhpur, Sheen Kaaf Nizam is one of the most popular and venerable Urdu poets alongside Waseem Barelvi and Bashir Badr.
I first read him in Devanagari script but didn't get the feel because Devanagari script cannot accommodate all the nuances, subtleties and sounds of Perso-Arabic Nastaliq script. For example, how'll you write the 'Ain' letter in Arabic in a Hindi script? 'Te' and 'Toye' cannot be written separately. The Arabic word Tabeea't with ' Toye,' 'Te' and 'Ain' in between can't be written easily in Devanagari.
Fortunately, I got to read Sheen Kaaf Nizam's Urdu poetry in Urdu script published by the Pakistani Urdu newspaper Nawa-e-Waqt. I realised that Sheen Kaaf Nizam Saheb knew how to read and write Urdu very well but he chose to write and edit it in Devanagari for the masses. That's commendable.
Shiv Kishan's poetry is simple and bereft of linguistic gymnastics. He follows the meters of Urdu Ghazals and writes simple but straightforward couplets like this, "Kal Ke Akhbaar Mein Tu Jhooti Hi / Ek Toh Acchhi-Si Khabar Rakh De" (Let that be false, but put something in a broadsheet that appeals to the readers).
Nowadays, newspapers are rife with all sorts of negative news. One piece of good news is like a whiff of zephyr in an arid land or an oasis in the desert. Or this one, "Apni Pahchaan Bheed Mein Kho Kar/ Khud Ko Kamron Mein Dhoondhte Hain Log" (Losing one's identity in the crowd/ People search for themselves in the rooms).
This modern irony is beautifully depicted by the poet. His oft-quoted Sher makes one think because it's the dilemma of every lover/suitor: Aarzoo Thi Ik Din Tujh Se Miloon/ Mil Gaya Toh Sochta Hoon Kya Karoon (I longed to meet you/ But having met you, I'm clueless as to what to do). It's always better to travel than to arrive or in other words, a dream is more exciting than the realization of it: Khwaab Dekhna Acchha Lagta Hai/ Khwaab Ki Taabeer Se Dar Lagta Hai (Naresh Kumar Shaad).
Sheen Kaaf Nizam's work is characterized by a blend of traditional Urdu poetic forms and contemporary sensibilities, reflecting a deep understanding of the language and its literary heritage. His poetry delineates human psychology and contemporary realities. Two couplets will prove that: Oonchi Imaratein Toh Badi Shaandaar Hain/ Lekin Yahan Toh Rain-Basere Thay Kya Hue (High-rise buildings are nice / But there used to be night shelters; where have they gone?) and Sabhi Isi Dhun Mein Bhaage Jaate Hain/ Koi Aage Nikal Na Jaaye Kahin (All are in a mad scramble/ Lest others should overtake them). In fine, his work often explores themes of life, loss, and the human condition.
Nizam has published several collections of poetry and has also compiled and edited works by other Urdu poets. His poetry collection, Gumshuda Dair ki Goonjti Ghantiyan, won the 2010 Sahitya Akademi Award in Urdu. He selected, compiled and edited Miraji's poetry in the book, "Uss Paar Ki Shaam." A very self-effacing and simple person, Shiv Kishan ji often says, "Jab Tak Aap Zinda Hain, Dikhai De Rahe Hain, Theek Hai. Uske Baad Log Zaroori Samjhenge Toh Yaad Kar Lenge. Duniya Mein Kaun Kis Ko Yaad Karta Hai?" (So long as you're alive and visible, it's okay. After that, people might remember you if need be. Who's remembered in this world? ). To quote Pandit Braj Narayan ' Chakbast ', "Baade-Fana Fizool Hai Naamo-Nishaan Ki Fikra/ Jab Hum Nahin Rahe Toh Rahega Mazaar Kya" (It's pointless to remember after death/ When I'm no more, who cares for my tomb?). This disarming simplicity endears Sheen Kaaf Nizam to all. Though he's a Gosha Nasheen (one who loves solitude) poet, he's not divorced from reality. May your quill never stop and more and more awards are conferred upon you.
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A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian.
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/current-affairs/sheen-kaaf-nizam-poet-contemporary-ethos/d/135386
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