Mazhar Imam - A Progressive Poet And Generous Critic
By
Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
12 March
2024
Years ago,
famous Urdu poet and critic Ali Sardar Jafri wrote, "Har Maqbool Shayar
Ke Chand Asha'ar Aise Hote Hain Jo Uss Ki Pahchaan Ban Jaate Hain"
(Every famous poet has a few couplets that define his poetry).
Urdu poet
and critic Mazhar Imam, whose birth anniversary falls on March 12, also
immortalised himself by writing sublime Urdu poetry. But two of his innumerable
couplets are often quoted by those whose feel for Urdu poetry is far more
discerning than that of the masses. Following are those two couplets:
Samet
Lein Maah-o-Khursheed Raushni Apni
Salahiyat
Hai Zameen Mein Bhi Jagmagane Ki
(It's high
time, the sun and the moon curbed their effulgence/ The land also has the
capability to shine).
Father of
Aazaad Ghazal genre in Urdu poetry, Mazhar Imam always believed in equality and was convinced that every
individual had the potential to shine and succeed in life. Success is not a prerogative
of a select few. Who has a spark in him, can create fire. The precursor to this
couplet was, "Na Kar Ghuroor Apni Daulat Ka / Paas Muflis Ke Daulat-e-Dil
Hai" (Don't be proud of your affluence/ A poor man has a heart of
gold).
This
equality and egalitarianism in attitude and approach can make obscenely rich
and swollen-headed people realize that others are also shining stars in their
own way. Itrane Ka Haq Faqat Tujhe Hi Ho, Mujhe Nahin Manzoor/ Kabhi Aa Ke
Dekh Main Kis Baat Pe Itraata Hoon (I don't accept that only you've the
right to flaunt / Come and see what I've to flaunt (Mazhar Imam, from his first
volume of Urdu poetry, Zakhm-e-Tamanna,
1962). Long ago, in one of the sessions in the Parliament, Atal Bihari Vajpayee
quoted this couplet to challenge the hegemony of Congress Party, when BJP was
not even in its infancy. See, how time changes!
The second
couplet can jolt you: Bastiyon Ka Ujadna-Basna Kya/ Be-Jhijak Qatl-e-Aam
Karta Ja (Who cares for the construction or destruction of people and
places? / Go on your rampaging spree without qualms). I remember, an Urdu daily
quoted this couplet of Mazhar Saheb in its editorial when the genocide in
Godhra took place in February 2002. The leaders and rulers have no idea how
people and places are annihilated to satisfy their ego and whims. The extreme
insensitivity and apathy of the (political) leaders can result in the massacres
and carnages of innocent humans.
A
progressive poet and generous critic, Mazhar Imam was a very sympathetic Naqqaad
(critic) who never disparaged any writer and poet. Scathing language was
alien to him. He established Jameel Mazhari and Wahshat Kalkatvi as poets par
excellence. Mazhar Imam had authored thirteen books including four volumes of
his Urdu poetry namely - Zakhm e Tamanna (1962), Rishta Goonge Safar
Ka (1974), Pichle Mausam Ka Phool (1988) and Band Hota Bazaar.
In 1994 he received the Sahitya Academy Award for his book, Pichle Mausam Ka
Phool. His poetry will always be valued by the serious readers of Urdu
poetry.
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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/mazhar-imam-progressive-poet-generous-critic/d/131894