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 ----- 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. ------ 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 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