Remembering Makhmoor Saeedi And His Poetry
By
Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
31 December
2023
Buton Ko Poojne Walon Ko Kyoon Ilzaam Dete Ho
Daro Us Se Ki Jis Ne Un Ko Iss Qaabil Banaya
Hai
Makhmoor Saeedi
(Why do you
condemn idol-worshippers/ Rather, you should be fearful of Him who has enabled
these people to worship idols)
Surkhiyaan Khoon Mein Doobi Hain Sab Akhbaaron
Ki
Aaj Ke Din Koi Akhbaar Na Dekha Jaaye
Makhmoor Saeedi
(Headlines
of all newspapers are blood-soaked/ Avoid looking at a daily)
Though I
already read Makhmoor Saeedi's poetry, albeit desultorily, it was the late
actor Irrfan Khan who egged me on to read Makhmoor's poetry seriously. Irrfan
was born in Rajasthan and Makhmoor Saeedi was born in Tonk district of
Rajasthan on December 31, 1938.
In fact, when
I mentioned this couplet, "Ghar Mein Raha Tha Kaun Ki Rukhsat Kare
Humein/ Chaukhat Ko Alvida Kaha Aur Chal Pade" (Who was at home to bid
adieu to me?/ I said goodbye to the threshold and left home), he said that
Makhmoor Saeedi wrote this and he (Irrfan) met him in Jaipur.
Lack of
exposure has been the bane of many Urdu poets, esp. those from Rajasthan.
Though the arid land of Rajasthan produced remarkable Hindi-Urdu literary
figures, their presence has been like the frequent appearance and disappearance
of sand dunes in the desert. Even Sheen Kaaf Nizam (Shiv Kishan Bissa) didn't
get much popularity as an outstanding Urdu poet.
Makhmoor
Saeedi never liked groupism and flattery. So, he remained independent and never
became a part of any group. "Gar Taaqat Ho Qalam Mein/ Daad Khud-Ba-Khud
Mil Jaati Hai" (If your quill is powerful/ Admiration naturally comes
your way). It was his firm belief till he breathed his last. Makhmoor also
wrote beautiful and didactic Dohe. This one is often quoted, "Kuchh
Kahne Tak Soch Le Ae Bad-Go Insaan/ Sunte Hain Deewaron Ke Bhi Hote Hain Kaan"
(Think before speaking, you gossiper/ They say, even little pitchers have big
ears) or this one, "Tanha Tu Rah Jayega Koi Na Hoga Saath/ Jaise Hi Ye
Log Hain Pakad Inhin Ka Haath" (You'll be left alone/ Hold the hands
of people who may not be up to your level).
My personal
favourite is Makhmoor's "Kaun Musafir Kar Saka Manzil Ka Deedaar/ Palak
Jhapakte Kho Gaye Raahon Ke Aasaar" (Who has envisaged the
destination?/ The marks and pointers of roads have vanished in a jiffy).
"Meri
Shayari Ko Log Yaad Karein Ye Hasrat Nahin/ Bataur Insaan Yaad Karein, Yahi
Tamanna Hai" (I've
no desire that people remember my poetry/ My wish is that they should remember
me as a human). Makhmoor sahab, connoisseurs of Urdu poetry remember you as a
poet of excellence and you as a human will also remain etched in our hearts and
minds.
-----
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/makhmoor-saeedi-poetry/d/131424
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