Syed Waheed Akhtar: Remembering A Poet-Philosopher

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 12 August 2024 Dasht Ki Udti Hui Ret Pe Likh Dete Hain Log Ye Zameen Meri, Ye Deevaar, Ye Dar Mera Hai Syed Waheed Akhtar (People write on the fleeting sands of times/ This land is mine, this wall and that door are also mine) American Nobel laureate and poet T S Eliot reintroduced John Donne's metaphysical poetry to the modern world after nearly 300 years. I'm no Eliot. I ain't even a small fry. Yet, it's my lifetime mission to popularise and reintroduce the works of Urdu's lost and forgotten poets and writers. So many writers and poets enriched the landscape of Urdu poetry. We often quote their couplets but don't know who penned them. Syed Waheed Akhtar is one such remarkable poet and critic who must get a wider horizon because his corpus of works is limited only to the critics who regarded him as a modernist, though many others called him a progressive writer. Akhtar is also considered to be among the few successful modern Urdu poets who took Marsia (elegy) to new heights and gave it a new direction in this age. Syed Waheed Akhtar was born on August 12, 1934. Today is his 90th birth anniversary. ------ Syed Waheed Akhtar had a streak of embalmed pessimism in his poetry but it was not so pronounced as to sound outright cynical: Andhera Itna Nahin Hai Ke Kuchh Dikhai Na De/ Sukoot Aisa Nahin Hai Ke Kuchh Sunai Na De (Darkness is not so overwhelming as not to be able to see anything/ Silence is not so subsuming that nothing can be heard). Just read this couplet written By Waheed Akhtar, "But Banane, Poojne Phir Todne Ke Vaaste/ Khud-Parasti Ko Naya Har Roz Patthar Chahiye" (To create, adore and then to break an idol/ Narcissism needs a stone every day). He wrote a couplet at a young age which later invited the wrath of some hard-core Muslims, "Lete Hain Tera Naam Hi Yoon Jaagte-Sote/ Jaise Ki Humein Apna Khuda Yaad Nahin Hai" (I remember you day in, day out/ As if I can't remember Khuda). Though likes and dislikes in poetry are pretty subjective, critics as well as the connoisseurs of Urdu poetry are of the view that his most profound couplet is: Harf-E-Inkaar Hai Kyoon Naar-E-Jahannam Ka Haleef / Sirf Iqraar Pe Kyon Baab-E-Iram Khulta Hai (Why's negation the ally of the fire of hell? / Why does the chapter/door of paradise open only on acceptance; acceptance of god?). Waheed Akhtar was one of the leading Muslim scholars and philosophers of the 20th century. So, his every couplet has a ring of profundity: Khushk Aankhon Se Uthi Mauj Toh Duniya Doobi/ Hum Jise Samajhte Thay Sahra Woh Samandar Nikla (The wave emanating from the dry eyes drowned the world/ What appeared to be a desert, turned out to be a sea). This couplet is quoted by all sincere lovers as well as the philanderers. Yet, it has seriousness: "Thahri Hai Toh Ik Chehre Pe Thahri Rahi Barson/ Bhatki Hai Toh Aankh Bhatakti Hi Rahi" (If focussed, the gaze remained zeroed in on a face for years/ If gone awry, eye became roving). This couplet proves Akhtar's experiential wisdom: Kuchh Log Iss Bharam Mein Zindagi Bhar Jeete Hain/ Goya Duniya Bhar Ki Aql Unhin Ke Paas Ho (Some people have a lifelong illusion, rather delusion, that they've all the knowledge in the world). Such a brilliant poet and critic mustn't remain confined only to the critics. General readers must also know about him and read his works and poetry. But do they read? This is a million-dollar question. ------ 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/waheed-akhtar-poet-philosopher/d/132913 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