Jigar Moradabadi: A Poet Of Muhabbat-o-Sadaqat
By Sumit
Paul, New Age Islam
8 September
2023
Dil Ko
Sukoon Rooh Ko Aaraam Aa Gaya
Maut Aa
Gayee Ke Dost Ka Paighaam Aa Gaya
(Solace to
the heart and satisfaction to the soul/ With death, comes the message of the
'friend').
Jigar Moradabadi: self-portrait of | Shola-e-Toor, and Wikimedia
Commons.
------
The serious
readers of Urdu poetry, who have read Jigar Moradabadi's oeuvre, will
invariably quote the aforementioned couplet of Jigar to repudiate the general
tenor that Jigar didn't write serious poetry and dabbled too much in the antics
of a beloved. This is an erroneous perception. The same Jigar also wrote so
philosophically, "Allah Agar Taufeeq Na De Insaan Ke Bas Ka Kaam Nahin
/ Faizan-E-Muhabbat Aam Sahi, Irfaan-E-Muhabbat Aam Nahin" (Unless
Allah bestows upon humans the rare ability to discern in love, they (humans)
are incapable of distinguishing between the grace of love and the realization
of it).
Or, can we
ever forget his oft-quoted couplet that subtly criticises politics and its
practitioners: Un Ka Jo Farz Hai Woh Ahle-Siyasat Jaanein/ Mera Paighaam
Muhabbat Hai Jahan Tak Pahunche (Politicians know what they're good at/ My
message is love and I disseminate it far and wide). When the First Commandant
of NDA, Maj General Enaith Habibullah invited Jigar Moradabadi to preside over
a Mushaira at NDA, Poona, in the fifties, a reporter of an Urdu daily
asked Jigar, "Aap Muhabbat Par Itna Kyon Likhte Hain? " (Why
do you write so much on love?). Jigar said, "Mujhe Har Soo Ulfat Dikhti
Hai. Isliye Main Iss Par Likhta Hoon. Jo Aapki Tarah Ishq Se Mahroom Rah Gaye,
Ve Aise Sawalaat Karte Hain" (I see love in all directions. So, I
write on it. Those who've been deprived of it, like you, ask such questions).
Urdu poet
Justice Anand Narayan Mullah would always say, "Jigar Ne Muhabbat Se
Muhabbat Ki" (Jigar loved love). Sharaab and Shabaab remained his
poetic companions till the end. He himself wrote, "Sab Ko Maara Jigar
Ke Sheron Ne/ Aur Jigar Ko Sharaab Ne Maara" (The couplets of Jigar
floored all but wine flattened Jigar).
Pakistani
Urdu critic Raees Ahmad 'Baalikh' was of the opinion that somewhere Jigar had a
complex about his lack of education and also not having an attractive
appearance. That complex resulted in his heavy drinking. He always felt that
his coevals 'Firaq', Yaas Yagana Changezi, Fani Badayuni and Asghar Gondvi were
better than him. But Faiz Ahmad Faiz regarded Jigar Moradabadi as a master
craftsman in his field. "Meri Shayari Mein Mukhtalif Pahloo Na Sahi/ Ek
Hi Mudde Pe Maine Apni Baat Kahi/ Ilm Hai Mujhe Apni Hadon Ka/ Chhoot Gaye
Hayaat Ke Pahloo Kai" (My poetry doesn't have many aspects/ I focused
only on one facet/ I know my limitations/ So many dimensions of life left
unattended). This disarming honesty distinguishes Jigar from other poets. He
was a poet of Muhabbat-o-Sadaqat (love and truthfulness). Accepting
one's limitations, makes one unlimited in his vision.
----
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/jigar-moradabadi-poet-muhabbat-sadaqat/d/130632
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