Book Review: Behte Pani Pe Tasveer (Image on Waterfall), Arshad Saeed’s second book of poems.
Inherently all human beings are curious and prone to explore in pursuance of knowing the unknown. This infinite chase in the finite ecology, evidently, inspired various mediums of expressions in order to portray the intricacies of, collective and/or individual, spiritual-intellectual journey of humankind.
As we are aware that the level of cognitive intelligence varies from person to person, simultaneously the capabilities of creation, innovation, thinking, analysing and transmutation the data into knowledge differ.
A collage of above-mentioned characteristics along with sociocultural environment sets the extent of curiosity in oneself, consequentially the ones with disruptive level of curiosity often use art as a medium of expression.
Language artists build on their sub-consciousness to understand and recognize their divinity by words that have both obvious and implied meaning. Arshad Saeed is one of those extra-ordinary human beings whose inquisitive minds made him a distinguished Urdu language artist, a poet. He writes poems (Nazms), Ghazals, Stanzas and Essays.
Arshad Saeed belongs to a noble and literary family. He is a grandson of a prominent poet and litterateur of Urdu language, Arman Shahjahan Puri. Moreover, during schooling he was fortunate to have teachers like Hafiz Muhammad Zahoor Ul Haq Zahoor, a scholar of high repute, who authored numerous books in Persian and Urdu language.
In a nutshell, literature is in Arshad’s blood. His first book ‘Hadood-e-Shaam Se Agey’ was well-received and appreciated by both readers and litterateurs. His second book ‘Behte Pani Pe Tasveer’ is in front of me and it is truly a Gleaming Flare in Hazy Skies of contemporary Urdu literature.
Arshad Saeed is people’s poet. He feels and experiences the life with a greater detail. This is why his poetic inspirations come from his major life events, nature, social cosmology, romanticism, patriotism and the ache of saudade while living away from motherland. Arshad says:
Khamosh Falak Ab To Dikha Mujh Ko Sitara خاموش فلک اب تو دکھا مجھ کو ستارا
Is Shehr MeiN Phirta He Koi Hijr Ka Maraاس شہر میں پھرتا ہے کوئی ہجر کا مارا
Ta’Alluk ToR Dena To Bahot Aasaan Hota Hai تعلق توڑ دینا تو بہت آسان ہوتا ہے
MeiN AasaaN kaam Ko Aksar Bahot Dushwar karta HuN میں آساں کام کو اکثر بہت دشوار کرتا ہوں
Ab Koi Khauf Nahi he Mujhe Shetano Se اب کوئی خوف نہیں ہے مجھے شیطانوں سے
Aye Khuda Tu Hi Bacha Le Mujhe Insanon Se اے خدا تو ہی بچا لے مجھے انسانوں سے
Arshad’s major literary contribution is in the form of Ghazal and Nazm, however, his trial of genius in other forms is also noticeable. Other forms include but not limited to Blank Verse (Azad Nazm), Canzone (Musaddas) and Quatrain (Qata). Also his Elegies on the death of his mother, brother and other people, who were close to him, leave deep lasting impressions on readers’ heart.
Apne AshkoN MeiN Tri Yaad Saja Kar DekhuN اپنے اشکوں میں تری یاد سجا کر دیکھوں
Behte Pani Pe MeiN Tasveer Bana Kar DekhuN بہتے پانی پہ میں تصویر بنا کر دیکھوں
Arshad’s deliberative reflexive sophistry in Ghazals is a pure reflection on his innocent emotions. This behaviour or mood attracts the readers towards him. In real life this sincere straightforward demeanour has brought about a wealth of friendships for him. See some of his couplets below:
MeiN Tishna Lub Tha Magar Aik GhoonT Pee Na Saka میں تشنہ لب تھا مگر ایک گھونٹ پی نہ سکا
Ajab Tarah Ki Koi Pyaas Os Glaas MeiN Thi عجب طرح کی کوئی پیاس اس گلاس میں تھی
Kitab-E-Zehn MeiN Tehreer Ik Purani Thi کتابِ ذہن میں تحریر اک پرانی تھی
Waraq Ulat Ke Jo Dekha To Nau Jawani Thi ورق الٹ کے جو دیکھا تو نوجوانی تھی
MeiN Garche Sukhan Gooi MeiN Sultan Nahi HuNمیں گرچہ سخن گوئی میں سلطان نہیں ہوں
Per Ye Bhi Haqeeqat He Keh Darban Nahi HuNپر یہ بھی حقیقت ہے کہ دربان نہیں ہوں
Ye Jo Hum Apne Liaya Shehr e Khutan Mangte HeiNیہ جو ہم اپنے لیے شہرِ ختن مانگتے ہیں
Dasht Se Tang Huay Hein to Chaman Mangte HeiNدشت سے تنگ ہوئے ہیں تو چمن مانگتے ہیں
Oska Milna Jo Dhiaan meiN rakhaاسکا ملنا جو دھیان میں رکھا
Phool Ik Phooldaan MeiN Rakhaپھول اک پھول دان میں رکھا
Zindon Pe Bhi Saya He Na LashoN Pe Kafan Heزندوں پہ بھی سایہ ہے نہ لاشوں پہ کفن ہے
Aye Ahl-E-Khirad Dekh Lo Ye Kesa Watan He اے اہلِ خرد ! دیکھ لو یہ کیسا وطن ہے
I conclude by congratulating Arshad Saeed for his valuable contribution to Urdu literature and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.
Recent Comments