There's Much More to Ahmad Faraz's Poetry Than What Meets the Eye
By
Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
25 August
2023
"Tum
Takalluf Ko Bhi Ikhlaas Samajhte Ho ' Faraz'
Dost Hota Nahin Har Haath Milane Wala "
(Faraz, you
mistake formality for intimacy/ Not all those who shake hands with you, are
friends)
Ahmad
'Faraz'
-----
Those
dilettantes who call Urdu poet Ahmad 'Faraz' a poet of Firaq-o-Visaal (separation
and union) must read this deeply philosophical couplet and mull over its
profundity.
By the way,
today's the 15th Death Anniversary of the great poet who's equally loved
by the readers of both Pakistan and India. Though the legendary 'Faraz' is
loved and adored by the lovers of Urdu poetry, his image as a poet of 'Shayar-e-Furqat'
(a poet of separation) is still pretty overwhelming. It must change.
'Faraz'
also wrote very philosophical couplets. Read this, "Zabaan Jis Shakhs
Ki Shireen Ho/ Dil Bhi Shireen Ho, Ye Zaroori Nahin" (A sweet tongue
is no guarantee of an equally sweet heart). If you minutely study both the
couplets, you'll realize that 'Faraz' was a keen observer of human nature.
Deceived by
a few close friends, 'Faraz' got disillusioned with all sorts of relationships.
But that didn't make him sulky or fretful. "Har Tajurbe Ko Sabaq Samajh
Kar Uss Ka Ahtiraam Kiya Maine" (I took every experience as a lesson
and respected it). ' Faraz ' believed that humans were very complex.
He'd often
quote his friend and Urdu poet Nida Fazli's famous couplet, "Har Aadmi
Mein Hote Hain Das-Bees Aadmi / Jis Ko Bhi Dekhna Ho Kai Baar Dekhna"
(Every man comprises quite a few individuals/ Look at every man a number of
times to reach a definite conclusion). Compare this with Salman Rushdie's
famous quote, " To know a person one has to swallow the whole world."
'
Faraz' had
a very cryptic understanding of humans, " Ek Aazmaish Hai Logon Se
Milna Bh" (Meeting people is no less than an ordeal). A positive sense
of disillusionment coupled with a slight exasperation made ' Faraz' a truly
great poet. He had that thing, 'Kuchh Na Kuchh Zehan Mein Naarazgi Rahe'
in his poetic persona. He was well aware of the nugatory nature of all
relations and associations. "Kaun Aakhir Tak Saath Deta Hai ' Faraz'/ Log Toh
Janaze Mein Bhi Kaandhe Badalte Hain" (Who remains with you till the end?/
People change shoulders even while carrying the bier).
That apart,
'Faraz' was very prophetic in his poetry and would often quote the famous
Persian adage, " Sukhanvari Payambari Ast " (Poetry is
Prophethood).
By the way,
he had Master's degrees in Urdu and Persian from Peshawar University. I spoke
to him in Persian when I met him in London.
Coming back
to his prophetic poetry, who can forget those immortal lines, "Aaj Hum
Daar Pe Khainche Gaye Jin Baaton Pe/ Kya Ajab Kal Woh Zamane Ko Nisabon Mein
Milein" (The things I'm being excoriated for today/ Tomorrow, you
might get to see them in textbooks). There's much more to Ahmad Faraz's poetry
than what meets the eye. Take a bow, 'Faraz' Saheb. I consider myself fortunate
to have met him a couple of times.
----
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://newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/ahmad-faraz-poetry/d/130520
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