Nazeer Banarasi: Muslim Urdu Poet From The 20th Century Who Celebrated Indian Festivals Like Holi
By
Saquib Salim, New Age Islam
8 March
2023
Festivals
in India weren't events of a religious nature, but rather cultural
celebrations. The divisive discourse concerning religious festivals was
introduced by the colonial rulers, which has now become institutionalised with
time. Today, in India, if a Muslim celebrates Holi or Diwali, he may be
excommunicated by members of his community. The same holds true for a Hindu who
chooses to celebrate Muslim festivals. In fact, the issue of festivals and
celebrating them has also led to communal riots in the country.
We were not
always like this. On the occasion of Holi, I will argue that until a few decades
ago, Muslims considered it an Indian festival rather than a Hindu one, using
poems by Nazeer Banarasi.
On Holi
here is a look at how Urdu poet Nazeer Banarasi wove the festival of colours
into his verses
Nazeer Banarasi was one of the many 20th
century Muslim Urdu poets who revered Indian festivals. PTI
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Nazeer
Banarasi, who practised Unani medicine, was born in Varanasi in 1925. This
eminent Urdu poet has written extensively about the nation, its festivals, and
politics. In his poems one can sense the flavour of Varanasi's culture. Not
only he has written at least four poems describing how the festival of colours
was celebrated, but he has also employed it as a metaphor and simile in his
other works.
During the
Chinese aggression in 1962, he addressed the nation to celebrate Holi of a
different sort. He writes:
Nayi Tarah
Holi Manao To Aayen
Vatan Ke
Liye Khuun Bahao To Aayen
(I will
come, if you celebrate Holi in a new fashion
If you shed
your blood for the nation, I will come)
Banarasi
has compared Holi to laying down one’s life for the nation, thus envisioning a
new way to celebrate the festival.
In another
poem titled ‘Mana Len Pehle Holiyan Diwali Phir Manayenge’, he urges the
youth of the country to take up arms against the Chinese aggressors and play
Holi with the enemies’ blood. He asks:
Lahu Se
Phaag Khel Kar Gharon Ko Jagmagayenge
Shikast De
Ke Dushmanon Ko Qumqumen Jalayenge
Mana Len
Pehle Holiyan Diwali Phir Manayenge
(Houses
will be illuminated after we play colours with blood
We will
light up the lamps after defeating the enemies
First let
us celebrate Holi and Diwali will be celebrated afterwards)
Holi and
Diwali assume the shape of metaphors, which enable the poet to reach a larger
audience.
Nazeer
Banarasi has also written many devotional poems in praise of Lord Krishna. In
one such poem, ‘Hume To Shyam Ne Holi Khila Ke Luut Liya’ (Krishna
robbed us through Holi), he writes:
Hai Shaam
Holi Ki, Lagta Hai Dil Pe Teer Pe Teer
Gulaal Khaak
Udata Hai Aur Dhool Abeer
Chhadega
Rang Pe Na Mere Koi Nazeer
Har Ek
Rang Se Rangeen Bana Ke Luut Liya
Mujhe To
Shyam Ne Holi Khila Ke Luut Liya
(It is Holi
evening, arrows pierce the heart
Coloured
powder has replaced the soil
Nobody can
match my majestic complexion
He robbed
me after colouring me better than any colour
Shyam
robbed me after playing Holi with me)
As is
evident, Radha is talking about Lord Krishna. Banarasi uses the setting of Holi
to visualise divine love.
Apart from
the use of Holi as a figure of speech, Banarasi has written a few poems solely
describing festivities. In a poem titled ‘Holi’, he calls it a day to forget
enmities:
Kahīñ Paḍe Na Mohabbat Kī Maar Holī Meñ
Adā Se
Prem Karo Dil Se Pyaar Holī Meñ
Gale Meñ
Daal Do Bāñhoñ Kā Haar Holī Meñ
Utāro Ek
Baras Kā Ḳhumār Holī Meñ
(Look,
there should not be dearth of love on Holi
Show
affection through coquetry and love with your heart on Holi
Embrace
with your arms on Holi
End the
intoxication of the whole year on Holi)
Milo
Gale Se Gale Baar Baar Holī Meñ
(Hug each
other again and again on Holi)
Burāī
Aaj Na Aise Rahe Na Vaise Rahe
Safāī
Dil Meñ Rahe Aaj Chāhe Jaise Rahe
Ġhubār
Dil Meñ Kisī Ke Rahe To Kaise Rahe
Abiir Uḍtī Hai Ban Kar Ġhubār Holī Meñ
(Wickedness
will not remain in any form today
Piety
remains in the heart in whatever form
How the
impurity will stay in any heart
Impurities
fly away with the colours on Holi)
In another
poem ‘Ghazal Me Holi’ (Holi in a poem), he says:
Jab Dil
Na Milne Paaye To Milne Se Fayda
Dil Ka
Milan Zaruri Hai Holi Milan Ke Sath
(If hearts
don’t meet, what is the point of meeting
The meeting
of hearts is necessary after a Holi meet)
For him,
Holi is an occasion to renew relationships and forget enmities.
In another
poem titled ‘Holi Jawani Ki Boli Me’ (Holi in the words of youth), he
describes it as an occasion of amusement.
ye boTī
parī ban ke uḌne lagegī
zarā
gholiye phir se gholī na hogī
(This
cannabis will fly away like a fairy
Stir it
again, it might not have dissolved)
As a
resident of Varanasi, Nazeer Banarasi considers Thandai, which is made
from Bhaang, an integral part of the celebration.
Banarasi is
just one of the many Muslim Urdu poets from the 20th century who revered Hindu
deities and Indian festivals. These writings are a reflection of the composite
culture of India. As divisive politics tries to pit religions against each
other, it is our duty to look back at our glorious past of mutual respect and
brotherhood. To sum up, here is a poem which presents the spirit of India as
Banarasi imagined it:
Mandir Me
Gajar Baj Jata Tha Masjid Me Azaan Ho Jaati Thi
Jab Chandni
Raato Me Hum Tum Ganga Ke Kinare Hote The
(Bells of
the temple rang and the Azan was called from the mosque
When on a
full moon night we used to be on the banks of Ganges)
-----
Saquib
Salim is an independent socio-political
commentator and historian
Source: On
Holi, Here's A Look At How Urdu Poet Nazeer Banarasi Wove The Festival Of
Colours Into His Verses
URL: https://newageislam.com/interfaith-dialogue/nazeer-banarasi-muslim-urdu-poets-holi-/d/129268