Pausing And Pondering While Reading Ehsan Danish

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam

22 March 2024

"Qalam Bhi Hai, Aur Hai Syahi Bhi

Soch Mein Magar Woh Gahrai Nahin"

Ehsan Danish

(Pen is there with ink as well/ But the thinking lacks profundity)

This couplet explains the famous adage that ' poets and writers are born, not made.' You can have all the wherewithal to become a poet or a writer but if your thoughts are not so profound, you fail in your mission. I'm told, famous Hindi writer and editor Dharamvir Bharati, who edited the very popular Hindi magazine 'Dharmyug,' used to write this couplet of Danish on the submissions that failed to appeal to him. He'd then return the unpublished contributions to the contributors with a note of regret.     

Kuchh Log Jo Savaar Hain Kaaghaz Ki Naav Par

Tohmat Taraashte Hain Hava Ke Dabaav Par

Ehsan Danish

(Those associated with the press/ Often chisel false allegations based on the prevalent trends).

Danish wrote this when the printed words had a monopoly and publications determined the mind-sets and collective thinking. Levelling allegations against the opponents, at the behest of political parties, was the in-thing. Things have become murkier as print media now works in tandem with the visual and social media. What we see and read in countless TV debates and messages on social media, can be viewed as further extension of the erstwhile mud-slinging and scurrilous cat-fights on a public domain. So prophetic! Wasn't he?      

Ek Sher Ho Ya Ho Maamooli-Sa Jumla

Tajurbaat Ke Bina Kuchh Likha Nahin Jaata

(Whether a mere couplet or an ordinary sentence / Without experience, nothing can be written)

"Ehsan Danish Ko Padhna Har Zaheen Shakhs Ka Marghoob Shaghl Hai" (Reading Ehsan Danish is every cerebral person's favourite pastime), opined Faiz Ahmad Faiz, the coeval of Ehsan Danish. Though Ehsan Danish wrote a lot, much of his literary work is still unpublished. Even his famous interpretation of Deewan-e-Ghalib is partially published. He was a polymath who penned down over 100 scholastic books on poetry, prose, linguistics, lexicography and prosody. At the beginning of his career his poetry was very romantic but later he wrote his poems more for the labourers and came to be called "Šhāʿir-e Mazdūr" (Poet of the workmen) by his audience. According to one commentator, his poetry inspired the common people's feelings and he has been compared with Josh Malihabadi. He holds the unique position as one of the best poets of all times, with fine, romantic and revolutionary, but simple style of poetry.

The 3rd couplet "Ek Sher Ho Ya Ho Maamooli-Sa Jumla..." was the story of Ehsan Danish's own life and struggles. Ehsan was seen in the evening at the mushairas; in the morning, at the building sites with a brush in one hand and the lime-bucket in the other; or doing a gardener's job on the Simla Hill. He recorded the experiences of his early days in a fascinating autobiography – Jahan-e-Danish. In the realm of poetry, he was not a mere labourer, but a master architect.

In his own words in Jahan-e-Danish: Sarsari Nazar Se Mujhe Na Padhna/ Takleefein Jo Uthayee Hain, Un Pe Ghaur Karna (Please don't read me cursorily / Do give a thought to my struggles). Yes, Danish Saheb, we pause and ponder while reading your thought-stirring poetry and memoirs.

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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/pausing-pondering-ehsan-danish/d/131979

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