Jamal Ehsani: Everyone's Poet-Cum-Shrink
By
Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
22 April
2024
Years ago,
when I was learning Urdu, my Urdu teacher suggested that I should begin with
'light' poetry and gradually upgrade myself to 'serious' poetry. He suggested
that I must begin with Jamal Ehsani's poetry.
Jamal
Ehsani was born on April 21
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Jamal
Ehsani (جمال احسانی) was a Pakistani poet noted for his work in the ghazal form and was a
favourite poet in the student's circle of Urdu literature. He was born on April
21, 1951.
Jamal's Shayari
strikes a rapport with the readers and listeners. He advises but doesn't
preach. Here's a couplet which is very useful to those who're unable to forget
their beloved after a break-up: Yaad Rakhna Hi Muhabbat Mein Nahin Hai Sab
Kuchh/ Bhool Jaana Bhi Badi Baat Hua Karti Hai (Remembering is not the
alpha and omega in love/ Forgetting is no less a part of it).
Jamal
Ehsani's poetry is not unnecessarily embellished. One of his couplets makes the
objective of his poetry clear: Sajna-Sanwarna Hai Unhin Ka Kaam/ Husn Khuda Ne
Jinhein Diya Hai Thoda Kam (Only those who're not that pretty, often resort
to extra make-up and embellishments). So very true! "Jin Ke Paas Kahne
Ko Kam Hota Hai/ Unhin Ki Shayari Mein Dariya-E-Alfaaz Bahta Hai" (Those
who don't have much to say/ Often the river of words flows through their
poetry). Despite being very popular, his poetry had a ring of exclusiveness: Khud
Jise Mehnat-Mashaqqat Se Banata Hoon 'Jamaal' / Chhod Deta Hoon Woh Rasta Aam
Ho Jaane Ke Ba'ad (The road I construct with diligence/ I leave that once
it becomes free for all). Some sort of a glory of solitude (Hashmat-e-Tanhai)
is discernible to those who read his poetry between the lines.
His
'sympathy' even for his Raqeeb (rival suitor) is admirable: Ye Kaun
Aane-Jaane Laga Hai Uss Gali Mein Ab/ Ye Kaun Meri Dastan Dohrane Wala Hai
(Who has begun to visit that alley/ He's likely to repeat my (sad) story). His
empathy for all moves you: Uss Ek Chhote Se Qasbe Pe Rail Thahari Nahin/ Wahan
Bhi Chand Musafir Utarne Wale Thay (The train didn't halt at that small
station/ There were passengers who wanted to get down at that place) or this
one, "Uss Ne Baarish Mein Khidki Khol Ke Dekha Nahin/ Bheegne Walon Ko
Kal Kya-Kya Pareshani Hui (She didn't open her window during the rains/ How
miserably drenched people suffered).
One of his
very touching couplets is a paean to all mothers: Maaein Darwazon Par Hain/ Baarish
Hone Wali Hai (Mothers are anxiously at the doors/ It's about to rain). His
poetry is also very practical as he's not too emotional: Ek Aadmi Se
Tark-E-Marasim Ke Ba'ad Ab/ Kya Uss Gali Se Koi Guzarna Bhi Chhod De?
(After severing all ties with a person/ Should one stop passing through his/her
lane?).
His name
Jamaal means beauty. There's a different kind of dignified beauty in Jamal's
poetry which's very endearing and also enduring.
Reading
Jamal is a soothing as well as educative experience. You needn't visit a shrink
for your psychological issues. Just read his poetry and you'll feel good from
within. He's everyone's poet-cum-shrink.
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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: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/jamal-ehsani-poet-cum-shrink/d/132178
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