Rahat Indori: A Wonderfully Outspoken Poet
By Sumit Paul, New Age
Islam
10 August
2024
Urdu has
produced numerous (great) poets. In fact, the exquisiteness of Urdu has always
inspired poets to produce their best. In a boundless constellation of Urdu
poets, some names have stood out. I'm deliberately not mentioning the venerable
names like Ghalib, Mir, Momin, Daagh, Faiz, Firaq, among others because the
world knows that they were the coruscating stars in the firmament of Urdu
poetry.
Rahat Indori Departed On August 11, 2020
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Names and
works of the poets of our times will be more relatable to the readers. Among
the very famous poets in the past few years, one name that instantly comes to
mind is that of Rahat Indori. Born on January 1, 1950, Rahat Indori shuffled
off this mortal coil due to Covid on August 11, 2020.
Every
remarkable poet has a USP. Rahat's USP was his poetic candour coupled with a
sharp sense of observation. Good poetry is all about observations and
experiences coming together like in this couplet penned by the maestro, "Na Hum-Safar Na Kisi Hum-Nasheen Se
Niklega/ Humare Paaon Ka Kaanta Humeen Se Niklega" (No companion or
beloved will remove it/ You only will be able to remove the thorn from your
foot).
Though a
trifle eccentric and dishevelled at times, he was capable of expressing the
most gossamer thought in his unique style, "Uss Ki Yaad Aayee Hai, Saanso Zara Aahista Chalo/ Dhadkanon Se Bhi
Ibadat Mein Khalal Padta Hai (Her memories struck me, breathe slowly / Even
heartbeats can hamper the adoration-for her).
He was a
master of sarcasm and insinuations: Naye
Kirdaar Aate Jaa Rahe Hain/ Magar Naatak Purana Chal Raha Hai (New
characters keep coming but the same old charade has been going on) or this one,
"Main Parbaton Se Ladta Raha Aur
Chand Log/ Geeli Zameen Khod Ke Farhaad Ho Gaye" (I kept grappling
with the mountains but a few people dug the soft soil and became Farhaad).
His poetry was an account of what he saw in
life, "Darsgaah-E-Hayaat Se Jo
Seekha/ Kaaghaz Pe Jyon Ka Tyon Utaar Diya" (What I learnt from the
school of life/ I jotted down without tampering or any dilution).
He was an
intrepid poet who called a spade a spade, "Shakhon
Se Toot Jaayein Woh Patte Nahin Hain Hum/ Aandhi Se Koi Kah De Ki Aauqaat Mein
Rahe" (I'm not a leaf that can be plucked from a branch easily/ Tell
the storm to stay in its limits). His candour disarms the readers, "Beemaar Ko Maraz Ki Dava Deni Chahiye/ Main
Peena Chahta Hoon, Pila Deni Chahiye" (Give the medicine to the unwell
/ I want to drink, let me drink).
Rahat's
large-heartedness is also admirable. This couplet underscores this, "Meri Khwahish Hai Ki Aangan Mein Na Deewaar
Uthe/ Mere Bhai Mere Hisse Ki Zameen Tu Rakh Le" (I don't want to
erect a wall in the courtyard/ My brother, take my piece of land if that makes
you happy). Though an M A and PhD in Urdu Literature, Rahat was at home with
the popular lingo. His couplet Bulati Hai
Magar Jaane Ka Nahin became viral and started trending on Facebook, Twitter
and Instagram during 2020 Valentine's week. People started using this phrase as
a meme. Another popular couplet, Kisi Ke
Baap Ka Hindustan Thodi Hai, became viral on social media. But when I met
him in Bhopal in February 2020, I told him politely, "Gustakhi Maaf Ho, Iss Qism Ki Shayari Aap Ke Meyaar Se Mel Nahin Khaati
Hai " (I'm afraid, this kind of poetry doesn't gel with your class and
calibre). He said, "Aap Ne Sahi Kaha"
(You said it).
Since he
was very popular in mushaira, he used to behave in a theatrical manner. By the
way, the subject for his PhD thesis was Urdu
Mein Mushaira.
He wrote
quite a few songs for films as well but all were quite pedestrian if not
outright awful. Honestly speaking, all his film songs play to the gallery. He
told me that he wasn't very happy writing songs for films. "Logon Ki Pasand Bhi Toh Badal Gayee Hai Aur
Shayari Bhi Ab Footpaathi Ho Chali Hai" (People's taste has changed
and poetry also has become pedestrian), he once told me at a poetic gathering
in Poona.
Rahat Saheb
will always be remembered for his wonderful and outspoken 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://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/rahat-indori-outspoken-poet/d/132906