Bashir Badr In Times Of Hatred - Extreme Hatred Has Corroded Human Existence

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 15 February 2024 Today (February 15) is the 89th birth anniversary of arguably the greatest living Urdu poet Bashir Badr. The prolific Bashir Saheb has written so much that his creative fecundity reminds me of British poet Sir Stephen Spender's famous line: "Running on the reams of papers, blunted have become the nibs of my pens." Yet, his creativity is still intact and his poetry is verdant forever. Lovelorn hearts may quote many of Bashir's couplets and Ghazals but for those who value serious poetry, a lot is there to mull over. For example, the following few couplets underline the versatility and sensitivity of Bashir Saheb: Isi Liye Toh Yahan Ab Bhi Ajnabi Hoon Main Tamaam Log Farishte Hain, Aadmi Hoon Main (That's why, I'm still an outsider here/ All are ' angels,' only a human am I) The subtle sarcasm adds to the beauty and quaintness of this couplet. Yes, all are self-styled pious souls with sobriquets and epithets like Vishwa Guru, His Holiness, Janata Ka Sevak. Alas, no one calls himself / herself a mere human because a human is devoid of all pretensions. But today, people are brim-full with all sorts of pretensions. We project ourselves as piety personified. But are we? Saat Sandooqon Mein Bhar Kar Dafn Kar Do Nafratein Aaj Insaan Ko Muhabbat Ki Zaroorat Hai Bahut (Bury all this hatred in seven boxes/ What humans need the most is love at the moment) Extreme hatred has corroded human existence. For how long can humans live with hatred and bitterness? There must be an end to it. Bashir Saheb's couplet reminds me of Jagannath Azad's Sher, "Dafn Karo Ab Mazahib-o-Talkhiyon Ko/ Muhabbat Shart-E-Awwal Hai Wajood-e-Insaan Ki" (Bury all faiths and bitterness/ Love is the cardinal condition of human existence). Or that immortal, Dushmani Ka Safar Ik Qadam, Do Qadam Tum Bhi Thak Jaaoge, Hum Bhi Thak Jayenge (The journey of hatred is only for a few steps/ Eventually, we both will be exhausted) Yes, animosity cannot last forever/ Both will be exhausted soon. British PM Clement Attlee wrote to M K Gandhi, " Mr Gandhi, you're right. Enmity is never everlasting. It has its age and then its intensity starts petering out to fade away in the end." This one takes the cake: Gharon Pe Naam Thay, Naamon Ke Saath Ohde Thay Bahut Talash Kiya, Koi Aadmi Na Mila (Inscribed were names on the houses along with the designations/ I searched a lot, alas, there was no human). Yes, we're all living and moving labels. We emblazon our identities on our chests and foreheads. None, calls himself a human. In fact, people will look at you quizzically if you say that you're a human, not a Hindu or a Muslim; not an Indian or a Scandinavian; not of this caste or that caste and not of this country or that country. You're a global citizen. On a different note, when it comes to admiring a damsel, Bashir is peerless: Uss Ki Aankhon Ko Ghaur Se Dekho Mandiron Mein Chiragh Jalte Hain (Look at her limpid eyes closely/ They're like lamps in a temple) For all those, who're in love, want to propose or admire feminine beauty, must quote this couplet of Bashir Badr, It'll not let them down in their 'mission' for, no lass will take umbrage! Long live Bashir Saheb. Keep writing and enthralling your countless admirers across the globe. ------ 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/bashir-badr-hatred-corroded-human-existence/d/131720 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism