In the everyday world of challenges, banalities and unimaginative conversations, the human mind and heart crave for a gentler emotion to fulfil our need for a softer world. Shayari is like a little vacation from the mundane. It can be therapeutic, inspiring, philosophical or just a gentle bond. To me it signifies the faith that amongst the many challenges, life is still beautiful and there is so much to live for.
Verses which were once the doorway to our souls and used to express deep feelings, now struggle to find a place in this world that barely has time to understand their complexity and depth. We must realise its importance before we lose it completely and find these words of Gulzar much too relatable, “ Tere Jaane Se to Kuch Badla Nahi, Raat Bhi Aayi Chand Bhi Tha, Magar Neend Nahi.”
Poets such as Abdur Rahim Khan-I-Khanan, Mirza Ghalib, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Gulzar and many more, owe their fame to such couplets, soaked in emotion, which implored people to pause, reflect and introspect. These legendary Shayars must be turning in their graves seeing their life’s work being lost to obscurity, helplessly thinking “Lagta hai Zindagi Kucch Khafa Hai.; Chaliye Chhodiye, Kaunsi Pehli Dafa Hai.”
One such renowned poet, Abdur Rahim Khan-e-Khanan, sleeps in a more tranquil place i.e. Rahim Ka Maqbara, near the Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi, which is a testament to his poetry. Rahim was a commander in Akbar’s court. He had the reflective nature of a thinker and wrote his poetry and couplets in multiple languages to make them accessible to people from different walks of life. Amidst the pettiness of a world which values status and outward appearances, he taught us the beauty of humility, kindness and the impermanence of life. Today, Rahim’s name rarely comes up. The existence of his legacy, much like that of his tomb lay neglected, worn down by the years and is now gradually being forgotten.
Faiz Ahmad Faiz’ words had the ability to fuel revolutions. His urdu poetry had a syncretic spirit which brought people together, while the land of our forefathers was being divided, giving them hope and instilling in them a universal feeling of “hum”. With each line he wrote, he aimed to empower the audience and rouse them to challenge the tide against our oppressors. Faiz’s most iconic poem “Hum Dekhenge” is a symbol of hope against tyranny and oppression and played a defining role in the anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) protests in India. The 2019, Coke Studio rendition of the poem reaffirmed its place as a timeless poem of revolution, connecting it to the younger generation. No matter what he contributed to our society, today's generation has barely heard of him. There's truth in his couplet, “Duniya Ne Teri Yaad se Begaana Kar diya; Tujh se bhi dil fareb hain gham rozgar ke”.
Similarly, the living legend i.e. Gulzar still strikes a chord with his readers and has the ability to connect with people across generations. His work has always captured the pulse of society and evokes unexpressed feelings of the heart.
“Poochte hain woh ki 'ġhālib' kaun hai; koī batlao ki ham batlaein kyā “. Mirza Ghalib was another renowned poet, whose ghazals spoke of the struggles and beauty of life. Decoding the mystery of his work is a life project for many pursuing poetry. It’s fascinating that the majority of his works are in the prototypical Urdu language, yet he remains so relevant in today’s sociocultural ecosystem. His legacy is a forgotten relic, just like the historical structure symbolising it. Mirza Ghalib Ki Haveli, nestled in the heart of Delhi i.e. Chandni Chowk has probably witnessed more silence than the deserted North Campus classrooms and is catching more dust than the books in North Campus libraries. Losing touch with our history and tradition, we need these poets now more than ever.
The art of Shayari seems to be going through a “bura waqt”, being overlooked much like the instagram reels sent by my mother. Kisi Mahapurush ne kaha hai ki, “Dil na-umeed toh nahi, nakaam hi toh hai; Lambi hai gham ki shaam, par shaam hi toh hai”. Shayari will soon regain the importance and recognition it once had and shall be bathed in the light it deserves. We all know that time changes swiftly. As Ghalib once said “Ae Bure Waqt Zara Adab Se Pesh Aa, Kyunki Waqt Nahi Lagta Waqt Badalne Mei”.
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