Jazib Qureshi: A Poet of 'Attractive' Poetry

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 6 August 2024 Those who regularly read Urdu newspapers will agree with me that the Indian Urdu dailies often fail to pay timely tributes to the poets on their birth and death anniversaries and generally ignore (though not intentionally) those poets who're from Pakistan. But it's different in Pakistan. You'll find tributes to all the poets- even those who're not so famous- of the subcontinent in their Urdu publications. So, while going through Indian and Pakistani Urdu dailies, I found no article on Calcutta-born Jazib Qureshi (Born: August 3, 1940, Died: June 21, 2021) in Indian newspapers. But Pakistani Urdu Dailies ran write ups on him, esp. on his death anniversary. A poet and critic par excellence, Jazib appeals to you. His very name means 'attractive' and 'appealing.' Being a very discerning critic, his poetry also has elements of discernment and sharpness. He was at home with poetry and criticism and once said, "Shairi Jazib Ki Mehbooba Hai, Aur Tanqeed Us Ki Mankooha (Poetry is Jazib`s love but he has tied a nuptial knot with criticism).” Two of his couplets underline this quality, "Kyon Maang Rahe Ho Kisi Baarish Ki Duaaein/ Tum Apne Shiksta Dar-O-Deevaar Ko Dekho " (Why're you praying for rains? / Have a look at your crumbling doors and walls) and 'Jab Bhi Aata Hai Woh Mere Dhyan Mein/ Phool Rakh Jaata Hai Roshan-Daan Mein ' (Whenever she comes to my mind/ She keeps a flower in my skylight). One of his most famous couplets is, 'Sunhari Dhoop Ka Tukda Hoon Lekin/ Tere Saaye Mein Chalna Chahta Hoon' (Though I'm a piece of the golden daylight/ I want to walk in your shadow). Yet another is, 'Mere Pyaar Ka Koi Haasil Nahin Hai / Voh Ek Mauj Hoon Jis Ka Saahil Nahin Hai ' (There's no objective or finality of my love / I'm a wave without a shore). This one is so true: Pyaar Ki Khud-Farebiyaan Tauba/ Mit-Te, Mit-Te Bhi Aas Rahti Hai (See the self-delusions of love/ Hope remains despite fading away). Jazib wrote in an Urdu magazine, "Jab Ek Naqqaad Shayari Karta Hai Toh Zyada Sambhal Ke Karta Hai" (When a critic writes poetry, he's extra-careful). To quote Jameel Mazhari, "Main Shayar Hoon, Naqqaad Nahin/ Phir Bhi Zaban-e-Tanqeed Samajhta Hoon" (I'm a poet, not a critic/ Yet, I understand the language of criticism). Understanding the language of criticism can sharpen a poet's poetry. Jazib also worked on Naql-E-Harfi (Transliteration/ Lipyantaran in Hindi) which is very important nowadays. When people transliterate Pahchaan and Pahle as Pehchaan and Pehle respectively, the connoisseurs of languages are exasperated no end. 'Kahte' becomes 'Kehte' and 'Rahte' is transliterated 'Rehte' by those who've no feel for any language. Jazib educated such people. Yet, he never looked down upon anyone and was known as a very polite poet and a kind-hearted critic who never went on flaying viciously. He lamented that literature had always had fewer adherents among the masses, but “this ratio too was dwindling further.” He hit the nail on the head. When it comes to poetry, people's lack of interest is all the more obvious. To quote Sahar Hoshiyarpuri, "Adab Mein Pahle Hi Se Dilchaspi Na Thi Logon Ki/ Ab Toh Shayar Khud Hi Likhta Aur Khud Hi Padhta Hai" (Right from the beginning, people were least interested in poetry/ Nowadays, only a poet reads what he has written). But Jazib's poetry is still read and appreciated by the perspicuous readers and lovers of good poetry. The lyrical quality of his poetry appeals to your heart and mind. One of his couplets proves this, “Gahre Utarte Hain Mere Alfaaz/ Main Satah Pe Kuchh Nahin Chhodta" (My poetry dives into the consciousness/ I leave nothing on the surface). By the way, one must read his book of poetry, Shanasai. ---- Jazib Qureshi was born on August 3, 1940 ------- 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/jazib-qureshi-poet-attractive-poetry/d/132871 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