Mazhar Imam - A Progressive Poet And Generous Critic

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 12 March 2024 Years ago, famous Urdu poet and critic Ali Sardar Jafri wrote, "Har Maqbool Shayar Ke Chand Asha'ar Aise Hote Hain Jo Uss Ki Pahchaan Ban Jaate Hain" (Every famous poet has a few couplets that define his poetry). Urdu poet and critic Mazhar Imam, whose birth anniversary falls on March 12, also immortalised himself by writing sublime Urdu poetry. But two of his innumerable couplets are often quoted by those whose feel for Urdu poetry is far more discerning than that of the masses. Following are those two couplets: Samet Lein Maah-o-Khursheed Raushni Apni Salahiyat Hai Zameen Mein Bhi Jagmagane Ki (It's high time, the sun and the moon curbed their effulgence/ The land also has the capability to shine). Father of Aazaad Ghazal genre in Urdu poetry, Mazhar Imam always believed in equality and was convinced that every individual had the potential to shine and succeed in life. Success is not a prerogative of a select few. Who has a spark in him, can create fire. The precursor to this couplet was, "Na Kar Ghuroor Apni Daulat Ka / Paas Muflis Ke Daulat-e-Dil Hai" (Don't be proud of your affluence/ A poor man has a heart of gold). This equality and egalitarianism in attitude and approach can make obscenely rich and swollen-headed people realize that others are also shining stars in their own way. Itrane Ka Haq Faqat Tujhe Hi Ho, Mujhe Nahin Manzoor/ Kabhi Aa Ke Dekh Main Kis Baat Pe Itraata Hoon (I don't accept that only you've the right to flaunt / Come and see what I've to flaunt (Mazhar Imam, from his first volume of Urdu poetry, Zakhm-e-Tamanna, 1962). Long ago, in one of the sessions in the Parliament, Atal Bihari Vajpayee quoted this couplet to challenge the hegemony of Congress Party, when BJP was not even in its infancy. See, how time changes! The second couplet can jolt you: Bastiyon Ka Ujadna-Basna Kya/ Be-Jhijak Qatl-e-Aam Karta Ja (Who cares for the construction or destruction of people and places? / Go on your rampaging spree without qualms). I remember, an Urdu daily quoted this couplet of Mazhar Saheb in its editorial when the genocide in Godhra took place in February 2002. The leaders and rulers have no idea how people and places are annihilated to satisfy their ego and whims. The extreme insensitivity and apathy of the (political) leaders can result in the massacres and carnages of innocent humans. A progressive poet and generous critic, Mazhar Imam was a very sympathetic Naqqaad (critic) who never disparaged any writer and poet. Scathing language was alien to him. He established Jameel Mazhari and Wahshat Kalkatvi as poets par excellence. Mazhar Imam had authored thirteen books including four volumes of his Urdu poetry namely - Zakhm e Tamanna (1962), Rishta Goonge Safar Ka (1974), Pichle Mausam Ka Phool (1988) and Band Hota Bazaar. In 1994 he received the Sahitya Academy Award for his book, Pichle Mausam Ka Phool. His poetry will always be valued by the serious readers of Urdu poetry. ----- 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/mazhar-imam-progressive-poet-generous-critic/d/131894 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