Faiz: A Great Champion of Humanity
By Dr. A. Khan
Chicago
November 20, 2009 marked the 25th anniversary of the death of Faiz Ahmed Faiz, the greatest Urdu poet of his era. During his lifetime he had to bear many “labels of perceptions”, and now when he is gon,e all labels have vanished and one strong theme emerges from his poetry: humanism. In today’s world of chaos Faiz, the great humanitarian, is trying to console all who desire to share their pains and sufferings with him:
Aik Arzoo (A Wish)
Mujay Mooj-zoohN pay yaqueeN Nahi magaar arzoo hay kay jab kazaah
Mujay buzm-e-Dahr say lay cha’ley
Toh pher aik bar yeh azaaN daiy
Kay La’haad say loo’T kay aha’sakooN
Ta’ray der pay aah kay sa’dah karooN
Tuj’hay ghum’ghaar key hoo Taa’lab to Taa’ray haa’zoor maiN aah’ra’hooN
Yaih nay hoo toh soo’ay rah Aa’dam maiN pher aik bar rawa’naah hooN
A Wish
I do not believe in miracles
But I wish that when death carries me away
from the domains of time and space,
It should allow me just once
to return from the grave
and knock at your door and ask,
If you need someone to share your grieves
Here I come
And if you do not have such desire,
I may once again travel to the other world.
Faiz sahib was a giant among the giants of the world. His greatness cannot be attenuated by “labels.” In a world of political correctness, his greatness became a victim of cold war. Indeed, Faiz sahib was not what he was made to appear. In the 21st century, a new look at his poetry reveals the “un-labeled Faiz sahib.” Faiz sahib was a poet of humanity, emotion, wisdom, love, passion and action. In today’s world of chaos, people around the world miss two great champions of humanity: Bertrand Russell and Faiz Ahmed Faiz.
*********************
By Naveed Khan
San Jose , CA
I would request Pakistan Link to dedicate a section to Faiz's poetry. His lyrics about the situation in Pakistan may sound prophetic. Let your readers, editors, contributors write a few couplets of their favorite of Faiz's poetry. November 20th we remember him on the 25th anniversary of his passing away. He left a lot for us to remember him with.
Ye dag dag ujala, ye shabgazida sahar
Wo intazar tha jis ka, ye wo sahar to nahin
Ye wo sahar to nahin jis ki arzu lekar
Chale the yar k mil jayegi kahin na kahin
Falak k dasht main taron ki akhari manzil
Kahin to hoga shab-e-sust mauj ka sahil
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
