Adarsh Ajit
Name of the book : Aahani Aawaaz
Author : Dr Amir Jafri Shaad
Price : Rs 200
Pages : 176
It is not easy to write simple poetry with meaningful network of poetic expressions. Dr Jafri Shaad has tried for it. Shaad’s anthology of poetry projects the depressive outlook and the disappointing draught of the present day socio- religious and economic inequity. There is direct attack on the degraded ultra modernity that has put the dark curtains on the concept of proved morality. The book starts with the gazals showered in the praise of Almighty. A few couplets give the idea of the poetic experiences and observations. Corruption, frauds, and nudity have become the centre of poet’s sneers:
Fahash fashion ki in hawawoon say
Har soo uryaan badan nazar aayay
Ho gayay mayatoon kay ghutaalay
Tab to khaali kaffan nazar aayay (the waves of dissipated fashion unfold the nudity, when there were the scandals of the dead bodies, there were only the shrouds left)
Under the black clouds, hovering all over, on the positive mode of life, fire of retrogressive advancement has left the slab of humanity crashed. It stands dismantled by ever-increasing number of disgruntled members of the society. Tranquility, placidness, sincerity, harmony, and help have transformed into treason, bribery, fury, lust, and commotion. Under these circumstances, the poet repeatedly changes the houses in search of a home. Sometimes the poet compromises with the compulsions but most of the time he loves to give boost to his conscience. He prefers to sleep on the ground rather than to live in the mansions where his inner voice is injured. Dr Jafri writes in a couplet:
Bichaa kay paid kay pattay zameen pa so jaanaa
Jahaan zameer ho majrooh, makaan mat lena (where your conscience is wounded, prefer to sleep on the leaves on the ground)
In various couplets, Dr Jafri Shaad loses the heart and does not believe that anybody would come to take the responsibility of doing the works for the welfare of the society. The poet opines that in the odd times only one’s own courage would prove instrumental in putting the lost rails on the right track. The poet has the deep pain for the down trodden and the victims of the destiny. However, sometimes the poet’s ideas vacillate and on watching the scene of the utter darkness, he runs away. At the same time, he is critical of those who declare themselves as the messiahs of the people. He challenges their power and authenticity and dares them to come forward for the betterment of the general populace. In a couplet, the poet says:
Aandhiyoon ki zad mein ek shamah jalao to kahoon
Shahar say zulmat kay sab parday hatao to kahoon (burn the candle in the typhoons, unveil the curtains of the cruelty and oppression, then I shall salute you)
Depressive outlook, lack of confidence, mistrust, lack of contentment, faithlessness and the deceitful ideologies are the constituents of the poet’s continuous style of expressions. The politicians, changing colours like chameleons, have been severely criticized. It is very pompous to mention that the poet has also used full flow of words in highlighting the positive nerves seemingly existent in the blood and sweat. The hope has not died down yet. The poet still trusts that the tides can change the courses and fill the flowers of humanity with the aroma of hope:
Shaad ko duniya mein qudrat nay nawaaza is tarah
Jab bhi qatray ki dua maangi samandar mil gayaa. (The nature has bestowed the oceans of boons on Shaad despite praying for only a drop)
A large number of poems of Dr Jafri Shaad are based on human character and rightly so. Today, unfortunately, the man is caught in the whirlpool of confusion and anarchy. Erosion of the philosophy of love and loyalty has led us to destructive phase of life. Even the tiny hands, which were meant for playing with the toys, are dealing with the bombs and explosives. The poet warns those who play with the fire that their houses would also be burnt to ashes. He also predicts that if the remedial measures are not taken in hand then there will be thunder bursts on our land.
Like other poets, Dr. Jafri Shaad has also not missed the treasure of love. He has also used the contours, boundaries, and poetic specifications of beauty. In a few couplets, the goblets are also seen tickling. Though almost negligible, yet there are traces in a few poems that echo the essence of controlled romance. Sheikh Khalid Karaar in the back cover has written some adorning words. Abdul Gani Jaagal, Sheikh Sajad Hussain and Hissam-u-Din Betab have also, in one way or the other, applauded the efforts of the poet. I would like to close the review with a hope that the encouraging words will continue to flow in favour of the poet for more chiseled and balanced poetry to come in future.
Kissi ki dosti likhoon, kissi ki dushmani likhoon
Batao ai jahaan waalo, mein kis kis ki kami likhoon (shall I write someone’s friendship or someone’s enmity. O, the men on the earth, how and whose paucity shall I write?)
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