Poets Are Indispensable: Poets are the fearless chroniclers of our times and the conscientious custodians of society
By
Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
12
September 2023
Recently,
screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar spoke of the power of poetry when he was
given an honorary degree by the School of Oriental and African Studies in
London.
Javed
Akhtar
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Poets are
the fearless chroniclers of our times and the conscientious custodians of
society.
There's a
very old Turkish adage, "Savid Enton Shyari Niz Naab " (Poetry
conveys the truth most effectively). It sure does. A poet holds up a mirror to
society.
A true poet
speaks the truth without mincing the words. When lies become lice, poets try to
comb them out. A perfect example is poet Dr Navroze Shavak Kotwal's famous
couplet: Jaha'n Jhoot Ko Milti Rahti Hai Panaah/ Waha'n Sach Ka Bolna Bhi
Hai Gunaah (Where lies are encouraged all the time/ Speaking the truth is
no less than a crime). This couplet seems to have been written for the times
we're in.
Politics of
lies and lice is rampant. The rampart of truth and integrity has developed
cracks. The votaries of truth and honesty are being branded as traitors and
criminals. Keep singing paeans to a megalomaniac at the helm. The moment you
say something against him and his political outfit, you're doomed.
Yet, the
voices of poets like Kotwal cannot be subdued and subjugated. Recall Majrooh
Sultanpuri's famous couplet, "Sutoon-E-Daar Pe Rakhte Chalo Saron Ke
Charaagh/ Jahan Talak Ye Sitam Ki Siyah Raat Chale" (Keep putting the
candles of heads on the pillars of the scaffold/ So long as this oppressive
night goes on). Or remember Faiz Ahmad Faiz's immortal Nazm 'Hum Dekhenge '
or We'll see). It's recognised as a universal poem of protest.
Faiz wrote
Hum Dekhenge in January 1979, while visiting the US. It was a time when his
country’s (Pakistan) first democratically elected prime minister, Zulfikar Ali
Bhutto, who had been overthrown in a coup by General Zia-ul-Haq in 1977, was
about to be hanged.
Apart from
writing this poem against the Zia dictatorship, Faiz also had in mind the
Iranian people who were struggling against a dictatorial monarchy in their
country at that time. As I stated at the outset, every poet is a conscience
keeper of his times.
Though
disillusioned, a poet is always optimistic that better times are on the anvil.
Sahir Ludhianvi's famous Nazm, 'Woh Subha Kabhi Toh Aayegi, ' springs to
mind: "Inn Kaali Sadiyon Ke Sar Se Jab Raat Ka Aanchal Dhalkega/ Jab
Dukh Ke Baadal Pighlenge, Jab Sukh Ka Saagar Jhalkega/ Jab Ambar Jhoom Ke
Naachega, Jab Dharti Naghme Gayegi/ Woh Subha Kabhi Toh Aayegi..." A
very perceptive contemporary poet Anjum Lakhnavi perpetuates the noble
tradition of poetic truthfulness and insightful observation/s when he writes,
"Naghme Dard Ke Tarane Ban Ke Rah Gaye/ Tareekh Ke Qisse Afsane Ban Ke
Rah Gaye" (History has become fiction in our country/ Sorrows of
people are the bread and butter for the powerful, rather it's their pastime).
Our history
is being systematically altered, nay adulterated, to suit a different and
diabolical narrative. These profound poetic sensibilities constitute a poet's
persona and objective. They're the beacons. Though Plato is famous for having
banished poetry and poets from the ideal city of the Republic, the role of
poets in our society can never be belittled. They're indispensable. Their
significance can never be dwarfed. Long live poets.
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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/poets-indispensable/d/130658
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