Anjum Rahbar: A Poetess Readers Can Relate To
By
Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
20
September 2023
"Shayari Toh Auratein Bhi Bakhoobi Karti
Hain
Magar Aksar
Ye Sehra Mardon Ke Sar Bandhta Hai"
Ahteshaam Rizvi, Pakistani Urdu critic
(Women also
write poetry with aplomb/ But the credit often goes to men / male poets)
"Sach Baat Maan Leejiye, Chehre Pe Dhool
Hai
Ilzaam Ainon Pe Lagana Fuzool Hai"
Anjum Rahbar
(Accept
that the lineaments are dusty/ Holding the mirror responsible is of no use)
September
17 was Anjum Rahbar's Birth Anniversary.
-----
Fahmida
Riaz, Ada Jafri, Zehra Nigah, Bushra Farrukh, Kishwar Naheed, Parveen Shakir
and many more female Urdu poets have enriched the landscape of Urdu poetry with
their deep(er) sensibilities, resilience and empathy. Yet, unfortunately, male
poets have always got more acclaim than their female counterparts. That may be
attributed to our patriarchal mindset.
Anyway, one
Urdu poetess who effortlessly joins the elite and august constellation of the
abovementioned female poets is Anjum Rahbar, whose birthday fell on September
17. Though she's often introduced as a popular mushaira poetess, it sounds a
tad derogatory. This suggests as if she plays to the gallery and lacks depth.
That's not correct.
Granted,
her poetry doesn't have that metaphysical or philosophical profundity, what she
conveys through her poetry enters the heart and stirs the emotions. For
example, "Maine Ye Soch Kar Dil De Diya Use/ Dil Kisi Ka Dukhana Nahin
Chahiye" (I gave away my heart to him, thinking that one mustn't hurt
anyone) or "Dafna Diya Gaya Mujhe Chaandi Ki Qabra Mein/ Main Jis Ko
Chahti Thi Woh Ladka Ghareeb Tha" (I was buried in a silver tomb/ Whom
I liked was a poor boy). You can relate to these couplets instantaneously and
strike a quick rapport with the poetess and her crafts(wo)manship.
Those who
love Anjum's poetry will unanimously say that this couplet is by far her best.
All women in love will be able to relate to it: "Hai Ta'alluq Toh Ana
Chhodni Hogi Ek Din/ Tujh Se Roothi Hoon, Tujhe Aake Manana Hoga" (If
there's a bond, you must part ways with your ego/ If I'm angry with you, you
shall have to come and patch up). "Milna Tha Ittifaaq, Bichhadna Naseeb
Tha/ Woh Utni Door Ho Gaya Jitna Qareeb Tha" (Meeting was a
coincidence, separation was destined/ He went as far away as he was close to
me). This Sher of Anjum Rahbar empathises with all lovelorn and jilted
hearts. I particularly love her couplet, "Tujh Ko Duniya Ke Saath
Chalna Hai/ Tu Mere Saath Chal Na Paayega" (You've to walk along the
world/ You cannot accompany me). This reminds me of Khumaar Barabankwi's famous
couplet, "Ye Wafa Ki Sakht Raahein, Ye Tumhare Paa-E-Nazuk/ Na Lo
Intiqaam Mujh Se Mere Saath-Saath Chal Ke" (The path of love is hard
and harsh and your feet are tender/ Don't take a revenge by going along with
me).
By the way,
Khumaar Barabankwi was born on September 15. Anjum is a poetess with a
refined taste and a sense of aesthetics. This couplet vindicates my
observation: Kal Shaam Chhat Pe Mir Taqi Mir Ki Ghazal / Main Gunguna Rahi
Thi Ke Tum Yaad Aa Gaye (While I was humming the ghazal of Mir Taqi Mir
strolling on the roof/ Your memory suddenly sprang to mind). May this
Bhopal-based Urdu-Hindi poetess scale dizzying heights of success.
-------
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/anjum-rahbar-poetess-readers/d/130720
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