Adil Najam
Saw this picture in The Daily Times (2 August, 2006) from Lahore, about how a thru-way street has been turned into a dead-end for no apparent reason.
I was reminded of this amusing couplet by humorous Urdu poet Anwar Masood (not to be confused with Anwar Maqsood):
Ajab deewar ik daikhi hai maiN nay aaj rastay may
na kuch deewar kay aagay, na kuch deewar kay peechay
Anwar Masood is, of course, best known for his classic Punjabi humorous poetry; including such all-time greats as Baniyan, Tou ki jaanay bholi-aye majj-aye, Doodth tay Lassi, Aj ki pakaiye, etc. Moreover he has a fascinating way of reciting his poetry, particularly his Punjabi poetry (listen to him here).
I want to write about these and about Anwar Masood himself, but that will have to wait for another time. For now, let me leave you with a couple of other ashaar from the same mazahiya ghazal:
Taaqub ya police karti hai, ya azra-hay majboori
koee Gulzar phirta hai kissi Gulnar kay peechayHawaa-kha-haan-ay sarkari tou bus phirtay he rehtay haiN
Koee sarkar kay aagay, koee sarkar kay peechay
Maybe an ATP reader can offer a good translation!
it is unfortunate that only his humorous work gets the attention…his non-humorous stuff is excellent….i watched the mothers’ day special on ATV & anwar sb had people in tears with his tribute to his mum…. it is people like him who encapsulate the spirit of paksitan
Talking about Anwar Masood, by the way.
MAAAN!!! You stole my post. :) I guess thats what happens to people who put it off for too long.
Another sher of Anwar Masood which talks about a weeping-wall and may be appropriate here is:
baRay nam-naak se hotay haiN Anwar qeh-qahay teray
koi deewar – e – girya hai teray ashaar ke peechay
looking at the contrast of whats on either side of the wall clearly shows that is a wall marking the socio-economic divide. should we say, a tale of two cities. I remember when Lady Diana last visited Lahore, administration erected temporary cloth walls (qanaateN) to hide the slums from her view whereas posh localities were untouched. This became a big embarrassing scandal against the local govt of that time.