Tuesday, January 27, 2009

ASAD - 78

Originally posted on rec.music.indian.misc in 1997

Poverty is not new to India and in Poetry too, it has always been used. Today I will present 2 shers on this same topic, but from 2 different. Shayars from two different Eras. But first a clarification ! There is absolutely _NO_ intention of comparing the Shayars. The intention is to present the change that has taken place between these two Eras.

First a great sher by no other than Meer:

muflis = poor

shaam hi se bujha bujha_sa rahata hai,
dil hu'aa hai, chiraagh muflis ka !
- Meer Taqi Meer

What a sher! A poor man doesn't have enough money to buy the oil for burning the lamps. So "shaam hi se bujha bujha_sa rahata hai". Similar is the "haalat" of my heart. Shaam hote hi udaas ho jaata hai ! The comparison is so clever ! Salutes to Meer.

But poverty is not the main topic here. The focus is on "haal-e-dil". Here is a sher from Nida Fazali which has a focus on economics and society only. And he hits you hard.

akhabaar = News paper

so jaate haiN, footpath par akhabaar bichhaa_kar,
mazdoor kabhi neeNd ki goli nahiN khaate !
- Nida Fazali

What do you say ? There is no "nazaakat", just cruel reality. It's presented in a "matter-of- fact" manner. This is the new trend in Urdu Shayari. Symbolism is it's strength. Many a times, it's presented with a bitter sarcasm as done here. The real aim, again, is to say a lot, by saying very little.

- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !

No comments:

Post a Comment

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...