 | ||||||||
| ( Ali sardar jafri 1913-2000) |
Meri Nazaron Se Guzar Kar Dil-O-Jaan Tak Aao
Phir Ye Dekho Ki Zamaane Ki Havaa Hai Kaisee
Saath Mere Mere Firdaus-E-Javaan Tak Aao
Phuul Ke Gird Phiro Baag Mein Maanind-e-Naseem
Misl-e-Paravaanaa Kisi
Sham-E-Tapaan Tak Aao
Lo Vo Sadiyon Ke Jahannum Ki Hadein Khatm Huyee
Ab Hai Firdaus Hi Firdaus Jahaan Tak Aao
Chhod Kar Vaham-O-Gumaan Husn-E-Yahqeen Tak Pahuncho
Par Yaqeen Se Bhi Kabhi Vaham-O-Gumaan Tak Aao
( ( Ali sardar Jafri ) )
( Below MOSCOW JANUARY 1960...
Ali sardar Jafri and Sultana Jafri with renowned Turkish Poet Nazim Hikmet... )
( Below MOSCOW JANUARY 1960...
Ali sardar Jafri and Sultana Jafri with renowned Turkish Poet Nazim Hikmet... )
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|
.. (MEMBERS OF
COMMUNIST PARTY AND PROGRESSIVE
WRITERS ALI SARDAR JAFRI, CHITTOPRASDA
AND KALPANA JOSHI IN BOMBAY.)
.jpg)  |
( Sardar with his two sisters )
( Sardar at BBC London )
( Gyanpeeth Award to the poet being presented by Atal Bihari vajapayee )
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| (Sardar receiving an award from Indira Gandhi in 1965 ) |
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| ( Happy Moments Sardar ,Sultana and noted urdu writer Rajinder Singh Bedi ) |
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| ( salma sidique , Dharmveer Bharti, Pushpa Bharti , Sardar and A member of Russian Cultural Delegation ) |
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(sardar with Ismat Chugtai In a function ) |
(Naushad Ali ,Sardar jafri , Majrooh and kaifi Azmi )
 |
| ( Dr Mulkh Raj Anand ) |
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| ( Shabana and Javed Akhtar ) |
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| ( Eminent Kathak dancer Shovana Narayan ) |
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| ( Noted Writer and journalist Sardar Khushwant singh ) |
(1)
ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE FORMER PRIME MINISTER
I remember Atal Bihari Vajpayee saying about sardar jafri
Vajpayee made the historic peace trip to
On this initiative from Vajpayee Leading Newspapers wrote
“Where politics had failed, poetics triumphed ”
“ Tum Aao Gulshan e Lahore se chaman Bardosh
Hum Aayein Subh e Benaras Ki Roshinin Le kar
Aur oss ke baad Yeh Poochein Ki Kaun Dushaman Hai ..”
( Ali Sardar jafri )
(You Bring us flowers from the Garden of Lahore
We bring the Dawn of Benaras for you ,
We bring the fresh Himalayan breeze for you,
Then let us sit down and ask each other ,
“Who Is the enemy Now ? )
(2)
FORMER PRIME MINISTER SHRI I K GUJRAL
“I met him in Lucknow university through sultana . I kept track of him through sutana who had joined Lahore radio station in 1944 . she was transferred to Bombay possibly in 1946.
Sardar was a true nationalist
,a tall thinker and protagonist of composite culture of India .His sympathy for
the poor and marginalized was beyond belief .This is evident in his writing as
well.
Hum Kahaan Jhaayein
kahein kis se ki Nadaar Hain Hum,
Kis ko samjhaayein
Ghulami ke Gunehgaar hain Hum
( Where do we go ?To
whom should we tell that we are poor ?
And to whom should we
explain that we are guilty of Bondage. )
Since I was also
associated with the communist movement , I initially shifted to Mumbai after
the partition of the country . Here I renewed my contacts with Sardar and other
progressive writers like Bedi , krishen chander , Kaifi and sahir.
Later when I was
country’s ambassador in Moscow, I had the privilege of hosting many dinners and
receiving many Indian delegations of Writers from the country . Sardar and
Sultana would also come . Sardar ‘s Charismatic presence was liked by many
writers from communist countries . Many Russian Poets sought translation of his
poems . Babajan a scholar from Tajikstan even set up an Asian Studies centre in
Russia and sought Sardar's help. Academician Asimov became Sardar ’s friend .
He had a deep study of Russian poet Mayakovsky and the American poet Walt
Whitman .In fact he brought Urdu much closer to Hindi by associating with
leading Hindi writers of his time..His work on kabir and Mirabai is unmatched
to this day .
One quality with
sardar was that he never told you of his financial difficulties . He never
asked for a personal favour . He was never after money or material things . A
good company of friends , a heart full of compassion for the poor ,love for
children, optimism, humanism and strong belief in Indo Pak Peace were some
traits of his impressive personality.
In the year 2000, I
and my wife went to see him in Bombay hospital where he lay terminally ill with
a brain Tumour . His eyes were open and looking far behind. He could not talk .
Sultana’s gentle nudging could not make him to look at us . He was possibly
thinking of returning to this country again . Returning to its seasons , rivers
, lakes , flowers and chirping birds .I and my wife knew how much he loved this
country .
But, I'll come here
again,
Speak through
children's voices,
Sing in the call of
birds.
When seeds smile
under the earth,
And seedlings, with
their nimble fingers
Caress the layers of
soil,
I'll open my eyes
Through every bud,
On my green palm,
I'll balance the
droplets of dew.
I'll become the glow
of cheeks,
The beat of melodies.
Like the blush of a
modest bride,
I'll sparkle through
every veil.
When the wintry winds
blow
And the autumn leaves
fall,
Under the lively feet
of travelers,
My laughter will
sound
In the crunching of
dry leaves.
( Ali Sardar jafri )
(3)
IRFAN AHMED
“ Sardar was a rebel,
freedom fighter, pacifist, radical activist, storywriter, critic and
documentary filmmaker at once. But, above all, he was a poet endowed with
exquisite imagination, one of the brightest stars on the firmament of
twentieth-century Urdu poetry. Like all great poets he was a prophet engaged in
unraveling the mysteries and ambiguity of human drama. The principal theme of his
poetry was compassion, love, perseverance and sensitivity surviving amidst the
callous inhumanity of our times. In his unique style he depicted the exemplary
survival of the human spirit in the face of all-pervasive adversity and
defeatism. In so doing he not only carried forward the traditions of Urdu
poetry but also enriched its treasure with new symbols and powerful imagery.
Indeed, his poetry gradually evolved into a genre of its own kind whose
influence is difficult to ignore among the present generation of Urdu poets.
Some of the poems really enthralled the
hearts and minds of all and sundry and transcended the dry logic of political
economy.
This blood, the
fragrance of lips;
this blood, the light
of eyes;
this blood, the color
of the cheek;
this loo, the peace
of the heart;
sun of Mount Faran
and Light of Sina and Tur;
flame of the word of
truth, pain of a restless soul;
the light of the word
of God, the expression of Light Divine;
This blood, my blood,
thy blood, everybody’s blood.
(“Yeh Lahu”)
(From In Memoriam Ali
Sardar Jafri ..A write up by Irfan Ahmed
.Gratefully reproduced .)
(4 )
SULTANA JAFRI WIFE OF ALI SARDAR JAFRI
Har Aashiq hai sardar
yahaan
Har Mashooqa Sultana Hai
Har Mashooqa Sultana Hai
( Ali Sardar jafri )
“ Sardar and I met for the first time in Lucknow university in 1939. I was doing my MA in political science and sardar was studying English literature .In 1944 I joined AIR Lahore and Kartar Singh Duggal was my colleague over there . Later he married my sister Ayesha and became our close relative.
Sardar had many friends but he was very close to Krishen Chander . There was a perfect rapport between the two..I have spent 52 years with Sardar and his circle included Faiz , I K Gujral,Rajinder Singh Bedi , Mukh Raj Anand , Kaifi , Dilip Kumar , ramanand sagar , Jaan Nissar Akhtar, Sahir, Majrooh , K A Abbas ,Ismat Chugtai , Qurratulain Hyder and Many more .His two unmarried sisters stayed with us . sardar looked after them most affectionately.Today grown up children dread the thought of living with their parents leave alone taking care of them. Sardar hardly owned anything . Both of us never bought material things even if we had money. It was a state of mind and a conviction .many a time children asked us why we did not have a car .We lived in rented accommodation for many years and kept on shifting from one house to another . Finally Sardar raised some loans from friends and bought a small flat for Rs52000/- in 1967. Sardar smoked endlessly but in 1968 he suffered from angina and stopped smoking altogether . He did not give up his drinks .
“ Sardar and I met for the first time in Lucknow university in 1939. I was doing my MA in political science and sardar was studying English literature .In 1944 I joined AIR Lahore and Kartar Singh Duggal was my colleague over there . Later he married my sister Ayesha and became our close relative.
Sardar had many friends but he was very close to Krishen Chander . There was a perfect rapport between the two..I have spent 52 years with Sardar and his circle included Faiz , I K Gujral,Rajinder Singh Bedi , Mukh Raj Anand , Kaifi , Dilip Kumar , ramanand sagar , Jaan Nissar Akhtar, Sahir, Majrooh , K A Abbas ,Ismat Chugtai , Qurratulain Hyder and Many more .His two unmarried sisters stayed with us . sardar looked after them most affectionately.Today grown up children dread the thought of living with their parents leave alone taking care of them. Sardar hardly owned anything . Both of us never bought material things even if we had money. It was a state of mind and a conviction .many a time children asked us why we did not have a car .We lived in rented accommodation for many years and kept on shifting from one house to another . Finally Sardar raised some loans from friends and bought a small flat for Rs52000/- in 1967. Sardar smoked endlessly but in 1968 he suffered from angina and stopped smoking altogether . He did not give up his drinks .
On january 30, 1948 sardar and I rode the local bus and went
to the office of registrar of marriages . Sardar the bridegroom had three
rupees in his pocket .Krishen chander K A Abbas and Ismat Chugtai were witness
to our civil marriage .Later Ismat celeberated the occasion and took us out for
ice cream.
After the marriage we lived in Andheri commune . Kaifi and
shaukat were already living there .Sardar was an incorrigible optimist .
Inspired by Rumi’s lines Hamcho sabza Baarha Roeeda Aayam ( like the green of
the earth , we never stop growing ), he summed up the story of his life in his
poem MERA SAFAR .
Aur neeli fazaa ki makhmal par
hansti hui heerey ki yeh kani
yeh meri jannat, meri zameen
iss ki subhein, iss ki shaamein
bey jaaney huey, bey samjhay huey
ik musht ghubaar-e-insaan par
shabnam ki tarah ro jaayangi
har cheez bhula di jaayegi
yaadon key haseen but khaaney sey
har cheez uthaa di jaayegi
phir koi nahin yeh puchhega
SARDAR kahaan hai mehfil mein
lekin mein yahaan phir aaoonga
bachchon key dahan sey boloonga
chirhyon ki zabaan sey gaaonga
aur saraa zamaanah dekhegaa
har qissah mera afsaanah hai
har aashiq hai sardaar yahaan
har maashooqan sultanaah hai
On the blue velvet of space
that luminous crystal of diamond,
and these—my heaven and earth,
the nights and the mornings all
without knowing, without understanding
on the human handful of dust.
will shed tears of dew
Every cherished thing will go, plucked
from memory’s fine pagan shrine.
And then no friend will ask a friend:
“Why don’t we see Sardar today?”
Yet I will return here once again
to speak out of the mouths of babies,
to warble with the tongues of birds.
The world will see under my star
every tale become my story,
where every lover is Sardar
and every love is my Sultana.
( Ali Sardar jafri )
He never possessed or wore black garment .Though he was deep
in Marxism , he would often tell children “God Bless You ”. He had simple
eating habbits . He enjoyed Arhar Daal , Pulaav and kebabs.
A child begging in streets moved Sardar to tears . Whatever
change or small notes he had in his pocket , he would offer to this child.
*Nazim was born during the days when Sardar was arrested and kept in a jail for
being a communist . He was sent to Nashik Jail . I would go to the jail with
little Nazim in my lap and a bagful of cigarettes for him.And then on Idd day
Sardar was released and he knocked at the door . Sardar held me in embrace .
Little Nazim gazed at the stranger who had the Audacity to hold his mother in
embrace .Sardar hugged and kissed his son for the first time .That Idd has
remained most memorable in my life.”
(5)
ACTRESS AND SOCIAL ACTIVIST SHABAN AZMI
“He gave me my name
shabana . My grand father had suggested kaneez Fatima . And now I believe my
name has shaped my life. For this I am thankful to Sardar jafri only.
we lived in Khetwadi
commune and each family had just one room . By each family I mean sudhir joshi
, sawant , My father kaifi Azmi , sardar jafri . The strip of balcony attached
to the room was converted to a kitchen by each family. We shared common Toilets
.The residents had a common drawing Room called Red Hall which was used for
party Meetings .His son Nazim had coined the word Doda for sardar as he could
not pronounce Dady . So we also called sardar Uncle as Doda .children were his
weakness . He always played with children and devoted his time to them.
He always looked
elegant in his clothes . It could be a two piece suit or a kurta Pyjama .And
the fingers that he ran stylishly through his long hair attracted attention.
He was 84 years old
when his younger sister died . Her death shattered him. I have yet to see a
brother so affectionate as sardar . He used to take Taxi to hospital everyday
to see that his sister ate home made food. He was a real human being much above
narrow caste or religion divide .
Another aspect of
Sardar Jafri’s personality that deserves mention is his intellect and stature
as a charismatic personality. He had a presence, which commanded respect and
admiration. He was perhaps one of the most learned men of our times.”
Ghareeb Sita ke ghar
pe kab tak rahegi Ravan ki hukmrani
Draupadi ka libas
uske badan se kab tak chhina karega
Shakuntala kab tak
andhi taqdeer ke bhanwar mein phansi rahegi
Yeh Lukhnow ki
shiguftagi maqbaron mein kab tak dabi rahegi
( Ali Sardar Jafri )
(How long will Ravan
rule over the home of poor Sita
How long will
Draupadi be deprived of her garment
How long will
Shakuntala be enmeshed in the abyss of fate
How long will the
freshness of Lucknow remain buried under the imposing tombs?)
(from Awadh ki
Khak-i-Haseen )
(6)
DR. MULKH RAJ ANAND NOTED ENGLISH WRITER
“Sardar You have accomplished the purpose for which I write. This poem Asia Jaag Uthaa or Asia Awakens is an expansion of Iqbal’s Message as conveyed in Payaam e Mashriq. The poem has been written with ink of your Heart’s blood. What a beautiful hope you have put up for life against death in our time? ”
(Asia Awakens)
This is the soil of
Asia,
The womb of
civilisation,
The land of culture.
It was here that
The sun opened its
eyes.
It was here that
The first dawn of humanity
Unveiled its beauty.
It was here that
Ancient ages lighted
Their lamps of
science and wisdom.
It was from this
height that
The Vedas sang their
happy songs.
From here did the
Buddha
Teach the lesson of
equality.
From here did Mazdak
Sing the songs of
love and justice.
The winds of our
history
Have heard the words
of the Christ.
Our sun has shone
On the head of
Mohammed.
This is the soil
Which has borne
The sheaves of grain;
It is as ancient
As the story of
mankind;
It is as majestic
As the tall peaks of
Himalayas;
It is as beautiful
As the nymphs of
Ajanta
It is as generous
As the kind waters
Of the Ganges and the
Nile;
This fertile lap is
filled
With children and
flowers.
Our heritage extends
From Mohenjo Daro
To the great wall of
China,
Our history, from the
Taj
To the pyramids of
Giza,
Our treasures, from
Babylon
To Nineveh.
Since our childhood,
Eloquence has kissed
our lips,
And poetry sung
lullabies to us.
Our tongues have
learnt
The Vedas, Gospels
and the Quran.
Our imagination has
already touched
Those soaring
heights, where shine
The suns of Firdausi
and Saadi,
Nizami, Khayyam and
Hafiz;
The heights, where
hold sway
Valmkik, the revered
Tulsi,
Kabeer and Surdas;
The heights, where
resound
The lute of Iqbal,
The songs of Tagore.
***
This is the soil of
Asia,
The womb of
civilisation,
The land of culture,
Her peasant, a wooden
plough
In his aged hands;
Her poor workers
With burning, tired
eyes;
Ships, sailors,
songs, storms,
Potters, blacksmiths,
Milkmaids bathed in
milk;
Old story tellers,
Sitting round a fire;
Innocent faces of
little children
Safe in their
mothers' laps;
Fields of ripe crops,
Cows and buffaloes;
Tinkling of glass
bangles
In green fields;
Dreary deserts,
Silent and profound
like prophets;
Flowing tresses of
date palms;
Pomegranate flowers,
mango blossoms;
Granaries, heaps of
cow-dung cakes;
Dancing virgins of
winding pathways.
Long and lovely
rivers
Kissing with their
waves
The tremblings lips
of their banks;
Gentle waterfalls
At the slender waists
Of beauteous bridal
valleys;
Blue bowls in
mountain palms;
Stars reflecting in
lake mirrors;
Loving arms
Of the Ganges and
Jamuna
Round the neck
Of the Himalayas;
The shawl of blue ice
On the head of
mountain storms.
This is Asia,
Young, fresh, and
fertile,
Whose poor, penniless
children,
Bute at the poisonous
snake of hunger;
Their lips never
tasted milk
After leavings their
mothers' breasts;
Their tongues have
never tasted
The bread of wheat;
Their backs have
never felt
The touch of clean,
white cloth;
Their hands have
never held a book;
Their feet know
nothing
Of shoes and
slippers;
Their heads are
strangers
To the soft delight
of a pillow;
They regard their
hunger
As their food:
These unique
creatures
Will be found only
In the Paradise of
Asia;
Still 'animals'
Even after three
centuries
Of imperial
'civilisation.'
Where are you,
You bearers of the
torch of 'culture'?
Come and see
The sideshow of your
'culture.'
***
Nowhere else will you
see
Such pitiful faces.
Every corner of this
earth,
You have filled with
Your regal memorials.
Here, you have reared
An arch of victory,
There, pillars of
your arrogance;
Here, you have cast
Horses of bronze,
There, statues of
stone:
But they do not
represent
Your culture and
civilisation.
Call your sculptors
and painters,
To adorn your museums
With these pitiful
faces,
As the lasting
memorial
To your mighty deeds.
***
Now, in Asia we have
A forest of hands,
Fists of white
marble,
Of dark granite.
O bride of the dawn
of spring,
We are waiting to
adorn you with
A fistful of
twilight's vermilion,
Flowers of moon and
stars,
Rouge of red
sunbeams.
( Ali Sardar Jafri )
(7)
NOTED WRITER MUSHIR
UL HASSAN
“ Sardar’s credo rested on a very strong commitment to
rationalist thought . He was a champion of diversity .He felt that if
individuals are to retain that measure of flexibility and initiative ,which
they ought to have ,they must not be forced into one mould ;or, to change
metaphor , all drilled into one army. sardar felt that political parties may
come and go but INDIA is too precious a civilization entity to be used as a
pawn on chessboard of opportunist politics . His vision did not cease even
after the collapse of Communism or Socialism.
Sardar was a symbol of our cultural renaissance .His
personality was eloquence , refinement and commitment redefined .
He shared the joy of freedom from the British but strongly
bemoaned the division of his dear Country .
love for
INDIA was deeply engraved in his heart . When his dear country was in trouble ,
no cause was greater than fighting for the unity and integrity of his
motherland . Sardar Rose like a pillar of strength for the country in
protesting against china’s aggression .
Neither Chengiz lives any longer , Nor Timur ,
What has survived are the people .
The youthful waves of the ocean of the time,
Gush and flow from eternity to eternity ,
Ours is a story of Millennia;
For we are invincible , Eternal.
We are the designs and patterns of civilizations,
We are the aspirations of hearts ,
We have been over engaged in struggles ,
We are the sharp swords of history .
(8)
EMINENT KATHAK DANCER *SHOVANA NARAYAN
“ I had heard him reciting his poem MERA SAFAR . I was touched by what
Sardar Bhai has conveyed through this poem . And then One day I told him that I
want to convey the essence of the poem in Kathak. He felt happy. I am always
touched by the opening lines of this poem. All of us have to face it one day .
PHIR IK DIN AISAA AAYEGA
AANKHON KE DIYE BUJH JAAYEINGEY
HAATHON KE KANWAL KUMHLAAYEINGEY
AUR BARG-E-ZABAAN SE
NUTQ-O-SADAA KI HAR TITLI UD JAAYEGI
IK KAALEY SAMANDAR KI TAH MAIN
KALIYON KI TARAH SE KHILTI HUYEE
PHOOLON KI TARAH SE HANSTI HUYEE
SAARI SHAKLEIN KHO JAAYEINGI
KHOON KI GARDISH, DIL KI DHADKAN
SAB RAAGNIYAAN SO JAAYEINGI
( ALI Sardar jafri )
PHIR IK DIN AISAA AAYEGA
AANKHON KE DIYE BUJH JAAYEINGEY
HAATHON KE KANWAL KUMHLAAYEINGEY
AUR BARG-E-ZABAAN SE
NUTQ-O-SADAA KI HAR TITLI UD JAAYEGI
IK KAALEY SAMANDAR KI TAH MAIN
KALIYON KI TARAH SE KHILTI HUYEE
PHOOLON KI TARAH SE HANSTI HUYEE
SAARI SHAKLEIN KHO JAAYEINGI
KHOON KI GARDISH, DIL KI DHADKAN
SAB RAAGNIYAAN SO JAAYEINGI
( ALI Sardar jafri )
Such a day will arrive again
when the lamps of the eyes will get extinguished;
the lotus of the hands will get withered
and each butterfly of speech and voice
will flee from the leaf of the tongue.
All faces that blossom like buds,
chuckle like flowers,
the circling of blood, the beats of heart,
all such symphonies will go to sleep…
when the lamps of the eyes will get extinguished;
the lotus of the hands will get withered
and each butterfly of speech and voice
will flee from the leaf of the tongue.
All faces that blossom like buds,
chuckle like flowers,
the circling of blood, the beats of heart,
all such symphonies will go to sleep…
These immortal lines convey his coming to terms with DEATH. These
thoughts, I believe keep swirling in every one’s mind . Perhaps it was this
very fact that translated itself instinctively as a dancer’s story through the
medium of dance for the philosophical depth of the poem had consumed me and
haunted me in my dreams for a longtime.
My meetings and discussion with him provided me a glimpse into his inner strength , courage , conviction and the deep sense of commitment to the most important religion of all religions , namely , universal brotherhood. He celebrated Idd, Moharram, Dussera and diwali with same verve.
It was sardar Bhai who introduced me to the wonderful world of Ghalib’s charaag e Dair ; a mind blowing reference to the spirituality of Benaras . To me he was a big brother . Kind and warm hearted person who was always ready for help . A real gifted soul who had a profound knowledge of all types of performing ARTS”
My meetings and discussion with him provided me a glimpse into his inner strength , courage , conviction and the deep sense of commitment to the most important religion of all religions , namely , universal brotherhood. He celebrated Idd, Moharram, Dussera and diwali with same verve.
It was sardar Bhai who introduced me to the wonderful world of Ghalib’s charaag e Dair ; a mind blowing reference to the spirituality of Benaras . To me he was a big brother . Kind and warm hearted person who was always ready for help . A real gifted soul who had a profound knowledge of all types of performing ARTS”
(9)
EMINENT WRITER AND JOURNALIST SARDAR KHUSHWANT SINGH
“Ali Sardar also had
a phenomenal memory. If I quoted one line of any Urdu poet, he would come out
with the rest of the poem. And explain every word by referring to Persian poets
- from Rumi, Hafiz to Ghalib and Allama Iqbal. When I set about translating
Iqbal's Shikwa and Jawab-e-Shikwa, I went all the way to Bombay to seek his
assistance. For two days Ali Sardar and Sultana came to my hotel in the
morning; we worked till lunch time when Rafiq Zakaria and his wife Fatma joined
us to find out how it was going. After they left, we resumed our labours till
it was time for our sundowners.
I saw him often when he came to Delhi to record Kamna
Prasad's series, Kahkashaan (Milky Way), on contemporary Urdu poets. And later
to participate in the Jashn-e-Bahaar mushairas organised by Kamna to bring
Pakistani and Urdu poets together on one stage every year. He presided over the
last one a few months before he died. He had an imposing presence: he was a
lean, tall man with a mop of untidy, tousled grey hair, sparkling dark eyes and
ever-smiling face. His voice held his audience spell-bound. His message to
Pakistan at a time when Indo-Pak relations were at their worst was one of
peace:
Tum aao gulshan-e-Lahore se chaman bardosh,
Hum aayen subh-e-Banaras ki roshnee le kar
Himalay ki havaaon ki taazgee le kar
Aur iske baad yeh poochein ki kaun dushman hai?
( Ali Sardar Jafri )
(You come from the garden of of Lahore laden with flowers,
We will come bearing the light of a Benares morning
With fresh breezes from Himalayan heights
And then, together we can ask, who is the enemy?)
Ali Sardar was an incorrigible optimist. Inspired by Rumi's
line, Hum cho sabza baarha roeeda aym (like the green of the earth we never
stop growing), he summed up his life story (Mera Safar) in a few memorable
lines:
I am a fleeting moment
In the magic house of days and nights;
I am a restless drop travelling eternally
From the flask of the past to the goblet of the future.
I sleep and wake, awake to sleep again.
(10)
POET AND FILM LYRICIST JAVED AKHTAR
He wrote to instill courage , patriotism and unity amongst the people who had remained divided
for ages. He brought new metaphors by using words like NIVALA, MILL,HAATH
,MACHINE and BHOOKH . Urdu poetry was
taken out from drawing rooms and Bars to fields, factories and workshops .
Sardar was a personal friend of Paul Robson ( American Actor and singer ), Nazim Hikmet ( Turkish poet )and Pablo Neruda ( Chilean poet and Nobel laureate ).Any one who came close to him was enthused by his towering personality and his a deep conviction.
Sardar was a personal friend of Paul Robson ( American Actor and singer ), Nazim Hikmet ( Turkish poet )and Pablo Neruda ( Chilean poet and Nobel laureate ).Any one who came close to him was enthused by his towering personality and his a deep conviction.
Jafri was a strong proponent
of permanent peace in south east Asia. He desired , worked for and supported peace and friendship between India
and Pakistan.His poem Subh e Farda or “Tomorrow’s Morning ” powerfully conveys this ideology and commitment
of Sardar .
The morning of
Tomorrow
The setting imperial
sun
broke into two parts
On this very Border,
yesterday.
The dawn of freedom
was wounded
On this very Border,
yesterday.
This is the Border of
blood,
Tears, sights, and
sparks,
Where we had sown
hatred
And reaped a harvest
of swords.
Here, stars struggled
In the eyes of dear
ones.
Here, beloved faces
Flickered in streams
of tears.
Here, a mother lost
her sons,
A brother, his
sister.
This border thrives
on blood,
Breathes flames of
despise
She slithers like a
snake
On the bosom of our
land.
She comes to the
battlefield
Crested with all her
weapons
This is the Border of
flowers,
Of springs and
fanciful colours,
Smiling like a
rainbow,
Trailing sinously
like a stream,
Swaying senuously
like a stream,
On the cheeks of the
land,
Perfuming,glittering,
Like the parting in a
bride's hair
Which does divide the
hair,
But with the sword of
vermillion,
The loving finger of
sandle-wood.
This is the Border of
the beloved,
Of lover and soulds,
restless in love.
This is the Border of
friends,
of brothers and
well-wishers.
Let the sun shine on
it
Like a benevolent
guard.
Let the stars and
moon
Watch over it during
night
Let the earth bow
Under the weight of
its crops
Let it be raided
By armies of green
trees.
Let God protect it
From the eyes of the
evil.
Let it remain safe
from
the traders in blood.
Let it be trampled
By the steel feet of
industry.
Let there be an
onslaught
Of the hands of
artisans.
Let the flowers of
sparks
Fly from the bosom of
the rocks
Let tall mountains
fold
In the lap of the
adze.
Let the thirst of the
lips
Mould its own Saki
and cups.
As the eyes of the
afflicted
Shine with Joy.
Let love be the
ruler,
Beauty the murderer
Let the heart be
messiah,
The gardens be gutted
By the fire of
flowers.
I wish for the day
when
Hatred is drainded
away with tears.
I wish for the day
when,
This Border becomes
the kiss of lips.
This is the Border of
The bold courageous
martyrs.
This is the Border of
The horsemen of the
land of heart.
This is the Border of
The breeze of the
gardens
of Lahore and Delhi.
This is the Border of
The heart-warming
dreams
Of freedom and peace.
This is the Border of
The roses of love,
Wounded, soaked in
blood.
I stand on this
Border
Waiting for the
morning of tomorrow.
( Ali sardar Jafri )
( Autar Mota 26.06.2013 ... 1.10 AM ... Good Night )
( Source Material for this write up ....ALI SARDAR JAFRI: THE YOUTHFUL BOATMAN OF JOY, A Book published by Bharatiya Jnanpith and Edited by Squadron Leader Anil Sehgal and also some Relevant Articles from News papers and Magazines. My special Thanks to Squadron Leader Anil Sehgal for this post . )
CHINAR SHADE by Autarmota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India License.Based on a work at http:\\autarmota.blogspot.com\.
Thanks for this lively collection that is a must read for all young & old to know the man as the PROFET of tomorrow.
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