Afsar Merathi: A Poet of Hope & Positivism
By
Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
19 April
2024
One of the
most beautiful as well as philosophical couplets in the annals of Urdu poetry
is Afsar Merathi's "Hai Tere Liye Saara Jahan Husn Se Khaali/Khud Husn
Agar Teri Nigaahon Mein Nahin Hai"
(The whole world is devoid of beauty/ If beauty isn't within you). This has the
echo of William Blake's statement that the world is a manifestation of your
inner self.)
Afsar Merathi breathed his last on April 19.
------
To
appreciate beauty, one ought to have a beautiful heart- Jaisi Drishti, Vaisi
Srishti. World is an extension of our own selves. Afsar wrote elsewhere,
"Nazar-O-Zarf Ka Khel Hai Ye Saara/Jiska Jaisa Kirdaar Vaisi
Duniya Nazar Aaye Use" (This is all about vision and inner self / One
sees the world as per his character). It's said that this couplet came into
existence when one of his students approached him with a request for Islah
(Tarmeem/ corrections). The Shagird (student) wrote: Har Soo
Dikhte Hain Khoon Ke Dhabbe / Insaan Bada Takhreebi Ho Chala Hai (Patches
of blood are everywhere/ Humans have become violent). Afsar asked him to change
his vision and perception and spontaneously said this Sher: Hai Tere
Liye Saara Jahan Husn Se Khaali/ Khud Husn Agar Teri Nigaahon Mein Nahin Hai.
The world
needs Merathi's positivism. There's no getting away from the fact that the
world has become violent and we're witnessing blood and gore everywhere. Yet,
sanity can be retained and we must try to see whatever little beauty is still
left in this terribly ravaged world. We must train our heart and mind to see
the last vestiges of beauty and goodness. Every individual needs to nurture
his/her immanent beauty, hidden in the crevices of every heart.
Charity
begins at home. If one individual finds beauty in the external world, others
will also find the same because beauty, like goodness, is contagious. To quote
Afsar to buttress his point, "Husn Agar Dil Mein Zinda Hai/ Hayaat Ko
Jeene Ka Sabab Milta Hai (If beauty is alive in a heart/ Life gets an
excuse to survive). Afsar's proclivity to find meanings in all circumstances
makes him a poet of hope. It was his audacious belief even in autumn that made
him say, "Hai, Woh Jis Ki Ummeedein Hon Khizaan Par Mauqoof/ Shaakh-E-Gul
Sookh Ke Gir Jaaye Toh Kaashana Bane" (Alas, whose hopes hinge on
autumn/ When a branch of flowers will fall to build up a home). We need
Merathi's brand of hope and positivism in these 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/spiritual-meditations/afsar-merathi-poet-hope-positivism/d/132163