Remembering Nida Fazli's Persona And Poetry
By
Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
12 October
2023
Ghar Se Masjid Hai Bahut Door Chalo Yoon Kar
Lein
Kisi Rote Hue Bacche Ko Hansaya Jaaye
(Mosque is pretty far from my house/ It's,
therefore, better to make a weeping child smile rather than go so far to offer Namaz)
Nida Fazli
"Kabhi
Kisi Ko Mukammal Jahan Nahin Milta/ Kahin Zameen Toh Kahin Aasmaan Nahin Milta."
These
opening lines of a song have always given a sense of wistful resignation and
consolation to all of us for not getting what we bargained for. This immortal
number was penned by Muqtida Hasan Nida Fazli whose 85th Birth Anniversary
falls on October 12.
Muqtida
Hasan Nida Fazli
-----
Though a
very fine lyricist, Nida Fazli was predominantly an Urdu poet who strolled into
the world of cinematic poetry rather late and also fortuitously. Nida himself
never trumpeted about his filmi Shayari because he found writing for films to
be a bit restrictive. "Ek Bada Ufaq Mila, Filmi Gaanon Se Hat Kar Jab
Likha" (I got a wider horizon when I didn't write film lyrics), he
once told an interviewer.
Nida was a
very sensitive poet who believed in humanity and was dead against zealotry and
religiosity: Naam Se Musalmaan Hoon, Dil Se Insaan/ Keertan Bhi Sunta Hoon,
Sunta Hoon Azaan (I'm a nominal Muslim, I'm a human at heart/ I listen to
both Keertan and Azaan).
He believed
in the purity of heart and emotions and was always of the opinion that
'education' hardened humans. So, he wrote, "Bacchon Ke Chhote Haathon
Ko Chaand-Sitare Chhoone Do/ Chaar Kitabein Padh Kar Ye Bhi Hum Jaise Ho
Jayenge" (Let children touch the moon and stars/ Having read a couple
of books, they'll become like us) and "Dhoop Mein Niklo, Ghataon Mein
Naha Kar Dekho/ Zindagi Kya Hai, Kitabon Ko Hata Kar Dekho" (Bask in
the sunshine, drench yourself in nature/ To understand life, shelve books for a
while). An exponent of Dohas, Nida's Dohe (two-liners) are often quoted as they
speak the truth in a unique manner.
"Bola
Baccha Dekh Kar Masjid Aali-Shaan/ Allah Tere Rahne Ko Itna Bada Makaan"
(Surprised to see a majestic mosque, child innocently asks, "Allah, you've
such a huge house?" ).
This subtle
sarcasm applies to the grand structures and shrines of all the religions. Does
god reside in such sprawling mansions and valhallas? Or ponder over this: Saaton
Din Bhagwan Ke, Kya Mangal Kya Peer/ Jis Din Jaaga Der Se Bhookha Raha Faqeer
(All days belong to god, whether Tuesday or Monday/ The day mendicant wakes up
late, he remains hungry)." Naqsha Le Kar Haath Mein Baccha Hai Hairaan/
Kaise Deemak Kha Gayee Uss Ka Hindustan" (Holding the map of India,
child is clueless/ How termites ate into his Hindustan). Nida had a very witty
way to drive home his point: Khudkushi Karne Ki Himmat Nahin Hoti Sab Mein/ Kuchh
Din Aur Logon Ko Sataya Jaaye (All are not so strong as to commit suicide/
Let's pester people for a few more days). And his ultimate couplet, which's
enigmatically absent from his oeuvre, underlines the truth of our times: Daaman
Shayari Ka Paak Hota Hai/ Ise Siyast Se Zara Door Rakha Jaye (The
escutcheon of poetry is sacred/ Keep it away from politics).
What would
Nida have said, had he been alive today? The voice of Nida (it means, Voice/
Call to prayer) will keep echoing in the portals and corridors of hearts.
------
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/nida-fazli-persona-poetry/d/130882
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