Jamal Ehsani: Everyone's Poet-Cum-Shrink

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 22 April 2024 Years ago, when I was learning Urdu, my Urdu teacher suggested that I should begin with 'light' poetry and gradually upgrade myself to 'serious' poetry. He suggested that I must begin with Jamal Ehsani's poetry. Jamal Ehsani was born on April 21 ----- Jamal Ehsani (جمال احسانی) was a Pakistani poet noted for his work in the ghazal form and was a favourite poet in the student's circle of Urdu literature. He was born on April 21, 1951. Jamal's Shayari strikes a rapport with the readers and listeners. He advises but doesn't preach. Here's a couplet which is very useful to those who're unable to forget their beloved after a break-up: Yaad Rakhna Hi Muhabbat Mein Nahin Hai Sab Kuchh/ Bhool Jaana Bhi Badi Baat Hua Karti Hai (Remembering is not the alpha and omega in love/ Forgetting is no less a part of it). Jamal Ehsani's poetry is not unnecessarily embellished. One of his couplets makes the objective of his poetry clear: Sajna-Sanwarna Hai Unhin Ka Kaam/ Husn Khuda Ne Jinhein Diya Hai Thoda Kam (Only those who're not that pretty, often resort to extra make-up and embellishments). So very true! "Jin Ke Paas Kahne Ko Kam Hota Hai/ Unhin Ki Shayari Mein Dariya-E-Alfaaz Bahta Hai" (Those who don't have much to say/ Often the river of words flows through their poetry). Despite being very popular, his poetry had a ring of exclusiveness: Khud Jise Mehnat-Mashaqqat Se Banata Hoon 'Jamaal' / Chhod Deta Hoon Woh Rasta Aam Ho Jaane Ke Ba'ad (The road I construct with diligence/ I leave that once it becomes free for all). Some sort of a glory of solitude (Hashmat-e-Tanhai) is discernible to those who read his poetry between the lines. His 'sympathy' even for his Raqeeb (rival suitor) is admirable: Ye Kaun Aane-Jaane Laga Hai Uss Gali Mein Ab/ Ye Kaun Meri Dastan Dohrane Wala Hai (Who has begun to visit that alley/ He's likely to repeat my (sad) story). His empathy for all moves you: Uss Ek Chhote Se Qasbe Pe Rail Thahari Nahin/ Wahan Bhi Chand Musafir Utarne Wale Thay (The train didn't halt at that small station/ There were passengers who wanted to get down at that place) or this one, "Uss Ne Baarish Mein Khidki Khol Ke Dekha Nahin/ Bheegne Walon Ko Kal Kya-Kya Pareshani Hui (She didn't open her window during the rains/ How miserably drenched people suffered). One of his very touching couplets is a paean to all mothers: Maaein Darwazon Par Hain/ Baarish Hone Wali Hai (Mothers are anxiously at the doors/ It's about to rain). His poetry is also very practical as he's not too emotional: Ek Aadmi Se Tark-E-Marasim Ke Ba'ad Ab/ Kya Uss Gali Se Koi Guzarna Bhi Chhod De? (After severing all ties with a person/ Should one stop passing through his/her lane?). His name Jamaal means beauty. There's a different kind of dignified beauty in Jamal's poetry which's very endearing and also enduring. Reading Jamal is a soothing as well as educative experience. You needn't visit a shrink for your psychological issues. Just read his poetry and you'll feel good from within. He's everyone's poet-cum-shrink. ---- 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/jamal-ehsani-poet-cum-shrink/d/132178 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