Ada Jafarey: Remembering The First Lady Of Urdu Poetry
By
Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
24 August
2024
I'm happy
that the Urdu Press of India and Pakistan remembered Ada Jafarey on her 100th
birth anniversary that fell on August 22. Had she been alive, she would have
turned 100 on August 22. Born in Badayun, UP, she migrated to Pakistan after
the Partition.
She's
regarded as the first major female Urdupoet to be published and has been
called "The First Lady of Urdu Poetry." Ada Jafarey was also
an author and was considered a prominent figure in contemporary Urdu literature.
August
22 was Ada Jafarey's 100th birth anniversary.
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She
received awards from the Government of Pakistan, the Pakistan Writers' Guild, and
literary societies of North America and Europe in recognition of her efforts.
Simplicity
was her USP, rather a hallmark. Despite her command of Urdu and a vast
vocabulary, she chose to write in a simple language that strikes an instant
rapport with the readers of all hues. This couplet will vindicate that, "Haath
Kaanton Se Kar Liye Zakhmi/ Phool Baalon Mein Ek SajaneKo " (Just to
adorn my tresses with a flower, I let thorns prick my hand) or this one, "Tum
Paas Nahin Ho Toh Ajab Hai Haal DilKa/ Yoon Jaise Main Kuchh Rakh Ke Kahin
Bhool Gayee Hoon" (My state of mind is weird when you're not around/
It's as if, I've forgotten where I placed it).
Ada, as her
name suggests, had a different Ada (style). "Mera
HauslaQaabil-E-Daad Hai/ Soch Meri Bandishon Se Aazaad Hai" (My ebullience
is worth-admiring/ My thoughts are free of shackles). This couplet further
underlines her confidence, "Main Aandhiyon Ke PaasTalaash-E-Saba Mein
Hoon/ Tum Mujh Se Poochhte Ho Mera Hausla Hai Kya" (I'm in search of a
breeze near storms/ And you ask me, whether I'm courageous enough). One of her
poignant couplets is: HonthonPe Kabhi Un Ke Mera Naam Hi Aaye/ Aaye Toh
Sahi, Bar-Sar-E-Ilzaam Hi Aaye ( My name should appear on his lips even if
that be in the form of an allegation).
My personal
favourite is: "Agar Sach Itna Zaalim Hai Toh Hum Se Jhoot Hi Bolo/
Humein Aata Hai Patjhad Ke Dinon Gul-BaarHo Jaana" (If truth is so torturous, better tell a lie/
I know how to get decked up with flowers during autumn). She kept writing and
nothing could dampen her writing spree: "Qalam Ko Mere Saath Hi Hona
Hai Khaamosh/ Roshnai Iss Ki Kabhi Sookhne Na Paaye" (My quill will fall silent with me/ The ink
must never get dried up). Ada wasn't fond of lush wordiness. Read this couplet,
"Gul Par Kya Kuchh Beet Gayee Hai/ AlbelaJhonka Kya Jaane"
(What befell a flower/ A mischievous breeze is not aware) or this one, "Aa
Dekh Ke Mere Aansuon Mein/ Ye KisKa Jamaal Aa Gaya Hai" (Come and see
my tears/ Whose beauty they carry).
See the
beauty of this small couplet: Aap Hi Markaz-E-Nigah Rahe/ JaaneKoChaar-Soo
Nigah Gayee (You were the cynosure of my eyes/ Though I looked in all
directions). This one is also remarkable, "Dil Ke GunjaanRaastonPe
Kahin/ Teri Aawaaz Aur Tu Hai Abhi" (On the echoing streets of heart/
Your voice and you still existed).
Her
collections of poetry include Main SaazDhooondhati Rahi, Shahr-e-Dard,
Ghazalan Tum to Waqif Ho, Saaz-e-SukhanBahana Hai, Harf-e-Shanasaayi, andMausamMausam.
Her Kulliyat that contains her complete poetical works also includes a
new collection Safar Baaqi Hai. She also edited Ghazal Numa, a
collection of select Urdu Ghazals with brief introductions to the poets since
the very beginning to the present times. She also penned her autobiography
known as Jo Rahi So Bekhabari Rahi.
She once
said, "Maine Likha, Bas Likha/ Faisla Zamane Ko Karna Hai, Kaisa Likha-
I wrote and just wrote/ The world will decide how (well) I wrote. You wrote
very well. Salutations to you. Sadly, I could never meet her in person despite
my several visits to Pakistan.
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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:
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