Muzaffar Hanfi: Remembering A Contemplative Poet
By
Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
1 April
2024
Thappa
Laga Hai 'Muzaffar' Ke Naam Ka
Us Ka
Koi Bhi Sher Kahin Se Utha Ke Dekh
(There's
An Unmistakable Stamp Of The Name, Muzaffar/ Pick Up Any Of His Couplets At
Random)
Prof. Muzaffar Hanfi, a prominent Urdu Poet, critic, and writer
------
The aforementioned
couplet of Muzaffar Hanfi underlines the uniqueness of his craftsmanship. You
cannot understand his couplets at first blush. One needs to ferret out the
meanings. "Har Sher Mein Baat Ho Kuchh Aisi/ Har Koi Samajhne Lage Toh
Phir Shayari Kaisi ? " (There must be something unique in every
couplet / If it's intelligible to everyone, how can it be poetry?).
Mind you,
he's not demeaning his readers. Nor is he condescending. He's just reiterating
his contemporary Urdu poet Bashar Nawaz from Aurangabad, "Lafzon Ke
Ma.Ani Khulte Chale Jaayein / Jyon Pyaaz Ki Partein Aahista Se Alag Hon"
(The connotations of the words slowly become clearer / The way, layers of an
onion are slowly peeled off).
But at the
same time, Hanfi criticized too much ambiguity and wrote, "Shaakhon Par
Ibhaam Ke Paikar Latak Rahe Hain/ Lafzon Ke Jangal Mein Ma.Ani Bhatak Rahe
Hain" (Figures of ambiguity are hanging from the branches/ The
meanings are loitering in the forest of words). Muzaffar Hanfi was a lecturer
of Urdu.
By the way,
he was the Vice President of Indian Universities Urdu Teachers Association.
Obviously, a teacher's poetry is slightly didactic: Bachpan Mein Aakaash Ko
Chhoota-Sa Lagta Tha/ Iss Peepal Ki Shakhein Ab Kitni Neechi Hain (When I
was a child, the Peepul tree looked like touching the sky / Now its branches
are drooping). Poet talks of changing perspectives of the onlooker and also the
decline of an object with time and age.
Hanfi is
known for the use of sarcasm. Here's an example, "Shukriya Reshmi
Dilase Ka/ Teer Toh Aap Ne Bhi Maara Tha" (Thanks for the silken/false
consolations / You too hit / aimed at me). His honesty is worth-appreciating: Ghamon
Par Muskura Lete Hain Lekin Muskura Kar Hum/ Khud Apni Hi Nazar Mein Chor Se
Ma'aloom Hote Hain (I smile at my sorrows and sufferings/ But at the very
next moment, it becomes embarrassing for me). Anything ephemeral and evanescent
fails to appeal to him, "Yoon Palkon Pe Jagmagana Do Ghadi Ka Aish Hai/
Roshni Ban Ke Mere Andar Hi Andar Phail Ja" (Glittering on the eyelids
is a fleeting moment of happiness/ Come, spread within me like the effulgence
). Elsewhere, he says the same thing in a simpler language, "Lamhe Bhar
Ki Muskurahat Nahin/ Zindagi Bhar Ki Hansi De Mujhe (Don't give me a
temporary smile/ Give me a permanent grin).
Reading
Hanfi is a mental exercise. He's meant for the cerebral readers and those who
prefer serious poetry over the frivolous one. Jise Padhna Ho Mujhe, Waqt Le
Kar Padhe/ Main Ek Jhalak Ka Shayar Nahin (Those who want to read my
poetry, do take time/ My poetry is not to be read cursorily).
I agree
with you, Hanafi Saheb. Your contemplative poetry requires intense
concentration and patience. Caviar to the general, one cannot read and enjoy
his layered poetry in a cavalry manner.
----
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/muzaffar-hanfi-contemplative-poet/d/132048
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