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Thursday March 28, 2024

Poetry recapturing life as it is dreamt of

By Ibne Ahmad
March 26, 2018

Zaheer Abbas Sair has published two poetry collections, ‘Lohay Khayal’(1989) and ‘Teray Milnay Ks Mousam’ (1998). His heart warming poetry houses so much variety; the strength of human nature in the face of adversity and the powerful feelings of love. They make me ponder what our purest human nature is. The poet captures perfectly the fervent passion he held for his beloved.

The prologue of his first poetry collection ‘Lohay Khayal’ allows us to understand the aim of his writing poetry. Therein he redefines the poetry and takes it as the best tool of social transformation and advocates the need to modify the theme of poetry -- a shift from curls and whirls of beloved’s hair to the persuasive and inspirational poetry – like Allama Iqbal did. I believe the poet has fully succeeded in this challenging and fascinating task. Well, the poet has accomplished that with flying colors for sure! His poetry imparts conciseness, economy of words and a wealth of wisdom, depth and meaning.

Although the greater part of Sair’s poetry in this book has robust guidance for the people with seminal zeal and Iqbal’s reformist passion, but is not entirely free of heart-tugging, sentimental and poignant love verses. The following verses are fascinating, well-written and heart-rending pieces. Missing the beloved and the pangs of separation he experienced are shared in an amazingly powerful yet simple way:

Teri hee zaat ki sogund thuk gaya houn main

Who mera dawayay sabro qarar jhoota tha

Har aik baat bhula kar sanam chali aao

Ghamay jahan ko kia jis ne aashkara hai

Who shakhs kutch bhi sahee muj ko jaan se payara hai

Yeh bazm yoonhee tu Sair tarap naheen uthi

Teri ghazal mein nehan payaar ka sharara hai

Yahee tu soch mujay raat din hai turpayay

Who rooth kar na gayay phir bhi kyun naheen aayay

Naheen sawaal hai hijro wasal ka koi

Sawal yeh hai kaheen woh na bhool hee jayay

Tu ne pila kay aankh se sub kutch bhula diya

Thay rinday baada noush kabhi tu bla kay hum

His second poetry collection ‘Teray Milnay Ka Mousam’ is all about what comprises a life. Here the poet appears not to act as Talmeez-e-Rahmani, rather his poetry describes the weakness as well as the strength of the human heart. Embers of love smoulder and focus on the bittersweet aspect of heartbreak, the agony of waiting for someone he cares about:

Ummedoun kay saharay jee raha houn

Teray milnay ka mousam chatt gaya hai

Main jab bhi teray shehr se ho kar naheen aata

Kho jaata houn rastoun mein mera ghar naheen aata

Halaat thay achay tu wog aa jaata tha aksar

Ab tu mujay milnay ko who aksar naheen aata

Naz nakhray mein pal rahee ho gi

Roop kitnay badal rahee ho gi

Aao karain bahar ko youn sharmsaar hum

Gul se tera mawazanayay rango boo karain

Mobalghay ki hadoun se bhi dur jaatay hain

Jamalay yaar ki tashbeeh dhoond laatay hain

Pehan kay phirta houn khud par teray wajood ko youn

Keh muj ko log teray naam se pukartay hain

Bichar kay tuj se main tuj se bichar naheen paaya

Guza gaya hai tu lakin ghubaar baqi hai

Sair’s acknowledgements reveal how much being supported in his dreams by his well-wishers made creativity possible for him. He never forgets to thank those who made his success possible. Much water has passed under the bridge since his second poetry collection. Let’s see what comes next.