[Opinion | Munir Niazi: An unmatched Poet By Faridoon Shahryar]
"Andar ki poetic conviction ki kamzori aisa karvaati hai. Kamzor aadmi jiske andar sheri urge kamzor hai, taqleeqi (creative) jazba usko chhoti chhoti panahgahon (rest houses) ki taraf jaane ka ishaara karti hain," said maestro Urdu and Punjabi poet Munir Niazi while answering a question of poetess Parveen Shakir on why he didn't become a part of any 'camp' in the world of writing. He was born in Hoshiarpur, Punjab and died in Lahore. The fictitious boundaries couldn't stop his poetic urge to express his thoughts the way he wanted to. One word that is often used to describe Niazi sahab's single minded quest for excellence in Art is 'Munfarid' (unmatched).
Ek aur dariya ka saamna tha Munir mujhko
Main ek dariya ke paar utra to maine dekha
I read this couplet by Niazi sahab when I was graduating from my teens to twenties. Life is full of challenges. When you cross one turbulent river of 'aazmaish', you shall be faced with another daunting river of fresh uncertainties. I would say that Niazi sahab is one of my biggest teachers even though I never met him. He taught me a very important lesson in life to always anticipate new set of difficulties and how being mentally prepared always helps us in dealing with life's aberrations in a relatively better manner.
Chhota sa ek gaanv thha
Jisme diye thhe kam aur Bahut andhera
Bahut shajar thhe
Thhode ghar thhe
Jinko thha
Doori ne ghera
Itni badi tanhai thhi
Jisme jaagta rahta thha
Dil mera
Bahut qadeem
Firaakh thha usme
Ek muqarrar
Had se aage
Soch na sakta thha
Dil mera
Aisi soorat mein dil ko
Dhyaan aata
Kis khwaab mein tera
Raaz jo hadd se baahar
Mein thha
Apna aap dikhata kaise
Sapne ki bhi
Hadd thi aakhir
Sapna aage jaata kaise
When I heard Niazi sahab recite this Nazm 'Sapna aage jaata kaise', on a television show, what fascinated me was the simple manner in which he unleashed his poetry weighing each word, feeling it's nuances, weaving beautiful imagery. He didn't have a flambouyant way that could win Mushairas with sheer theatrics. Yet, the way he read out his kalaam was sheer magic. I am sure many of you must have seen the video of him reciting his iconic nazm 'Hamesha der kar deta hoon main' at an informal gathering. The women cried as he gently treaded on the beautiful journey of one of the most fascinating Nazmz of this century.
Hamesha der kar detā Huuñ maiñ har kaam Karne meñ
Zarūrī baat kahnī ho koī Vaada nibhānā ho
Usse āvāz denī ho use Vāpas bulānā ho
hamesha der kar detā Huuñ maiñ
madad karnī ho us kī Yaar kī Dhaāras Bañdhānā ho
Bahut derīna rastoñ par Kisī se milne jaanā ho
hamesha der kar detā Huuñ maiñ
badalte mausamoñ kī Sair meñ dil ko lagānā Ho
Kisī ko yaad rakhnā ho Kisī ko bhuul jaanā ho
Hamesha der kar detā Huuñ maiñ
Kisī ko maut se pahle Kisī ġham se bachānā ho
Haqīqat aur thī kuchh us Ko jā ke ye batānā ho
Hamesha der kar detā Huuñ maiñ har kaam Karne meñ.....
It was often said that Niazi sahab didn't praise the efforts of other poets and that he had an element of narcissism in him. When a journalist once confronted him with this notion about him, Niazi sahab calmly replied that there are all sorts of efforts to curtail his poetic efforts and that he has a 'defence mechanism' that prevents him from being too expressive about other poets. He had 11 collections in Urdu and 4 in Punjabi. When asked that how does he decide if he wants to express himself in Urdu or Punjabi, Niazi sahab said that creative process can't be defined and all depends on the flow of thoughts and emotions. Language finds its own vocabulary.
Munir Niazi is considered as one of the greatest Urdu poets in the last century but as it often happens, his financial condition compelled him to live a restricted life. He proudly flaunted the 40 women that he loved in his lifetime and how those experiences enriched his poetic journey. He was a sufi who felt claustrophobic when materialistic demands were made of him. It happens with a very few people who manage to outlive their lifetime in the minds and memories of millions of people. Successive generations continue to discover the greatness of Munir Niazi. He lived a rich poetic life. He continues to distribute diamonds of wisdom and artistic brilliance. Now. And forever.
Kal dekha ek aadmi ata safar ki dhool mein
Gum thha apne aap mein jaise khushbu phool mein
Note: The views expressed are the author's own. The opinions and facts expressed here do not reflect the views of Kavishala and Kavishala does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.