Habib Jalib: A Revolutionary Poet of the Masses
By
Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
13 March
2023
“Poetry has the power to survive the onslaught of time. In fact, gliding
time lends a kind of an aura that justifiably glorifies the poet and his
poetry."
Dr Matthew Arnold On Homer's Poetry
The same
can be said about the poetry of Habib Jalib who passed on three decades ago on
March 12, 1993. But his poetry is still read, quoted and recited by those
who're discerning connoisseurs of Urdu poetry. Even a dilettante into Urdu
poetry is aware of these couplets of Habib Jalib: Dushmanon Ne Jo Dushmani
Ki Hai/ Doston Ne Bhi Kya Kami Ki Hai And Log Darte Hain Dushmani Se Teri/ Hum Teri
Dosti Se Darte Hain.
Habib
Jalib
----
Ghalib told
Altaf Hussain Hali ' Panipati ', “Main Kisi Ko Sukhanvari Ka Mashvara Nahin
Deta Lekin Aap Ke Baare Mein Kahoonga Ke Aap Ko Shayari Karni Chahiye"
(Though I don't advise anyone to write poetry, I'd like to advise you that you
must write poetry). Faiz Ahmad Faiz suggested the same to Habib Jalib when they
met for the first time. Some people are born to write poetry because it's their
internal urge. Poetry was Jalib's embedded vocation which gave voice to his Paiham
Iztiraab (continuous restlessness).
A little
inspired by Faiz's poetry, Jalib perpetuated the former's legacy through his
revolutionary Nazmen. “Kahin Gas Ka Dhuan Hai / Kahin Golion Ki Baarish/ Shab-E-Ehd-E-Kum
Nigahi/ Tujhay Kis Tarah Sarahein (There is smoke of teargas in the air/
and the bullets are raining all around/ How can I praise thee the night of the
period of short-sightedness). Jalib's poetry was the voice of the masses. In a
way, he was people's spokesman and a blend of Cicero and Seneca. “Main Aawaaz
Apni Buland Karta Rahoonga/ Insaaf Jab Tak Na Har Ek Shakhs Ko Mile"
(I'll continue to raise my voice/ Till every individual gets justice). True
poetry is an expression of collective angst and a manifestation of zeitgeist.
It goes beyond the sighs of self and merges into people's sighs. In other
words, poetry is not subjective but universal. “Aahon Ka Dariya Le Ke Chala
Hoon/ Zeest Se Zyada Zamane Ka Hai Gham Mujhe” (I carry a river of sighs/
Sufferings of the world are more important to me than my own pain). Jalib's
poetry also had a quaint mixture of longings and witfulness: Paa Sakenge Na
Umra Bhar Jis Ko/ Justajoo Aaj Bhi Usi Ki Hai (Whom I'll never get till the
end/ Yet, I still long for that person). At the same time, his poetry had a
trace of Frost's pragmatism and Faiz and Sahir's matter-of-factness: Kuchh Aur
Bhi Hain Kaam Humein Gham-e-Jaanaan/ Kab Tak Koi Uljhi Hui Zulfon Ko Sanware
(Beloved, I've other things to do as well/ How long shall one continue to
disentangle your tresses). Jalib's sense of resignation and reconciliation with
reality made him a poet of emotions as well: Uss Sitamgar Ki Haqeeqat Hum Pe
Zaahir Ho Gayee/ Khatm Khushfahmi Ki Manzil Ka Safar Bhi Ho Gaya (That
tormentor's reality dawned on me/ The journey of enchantment also came to an
end).
It was
Jalib's poetic versatility and his ability to relate to the masses that made
him such a popular name in the subcontinent. To quote a misra from his couplet
that aptly encapsulates his persona and poetic genius: Mere Asha'ar Kabhi
Yaad Dilayenge Meri (My couplets will remind you of me). They'll always
remind us of you, Jalib saheb. You'll forever reside in the crevices of our
consciousness.
------
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/habib-jalib-revolutionary-poet-/d/129308
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