Adil Najam
Today is Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s birthday.
It is always amazing that no matter what the issue, Faiz always has something to say that is not only relevant but revalationary (often it is also revolutionary).
Something that helps us express what we really feel but are unable to articulate. Something that helps us explain what we could not understand. Something that forces us to confront what we would much rather ignore. Something that rises above our fears and speaks to our hopes.
What, then, can one say about Faiz and Pakistaniat that Faiz Sahib has not said himself:
Nisar mein teri galiyoun pay aye watan kay jahaN
Chali hai rasm kay koee na sar uTha kay chalay
Jo koee chahnay waala tawaaf ko niklay
Nazar jhuka kay chalay, jism o jaaN bacha kay chalay
As always, I can offer no better tribute to Faiz Sahib than his very own words. So, here is my very own Faiz Mela for you. A selection of poetry from Faiz that has and continues to inspire me. Poetry that assumes new meaning every time I hear it. Poetry that speaks directly to the state of my existence, to the nuances of my aspirations, and to the core of my convictions.
First, these three poems, presented here in Faiz’s own voice, each of which is as much a credo for this blog as hum daikhain gay:
Nisar mein teri galiyoun pay…
[audio:http://lcweb2.loc.gov/mbrs/master/salrp/082 06.mp3]
Aaj baazar mein pa-bajoulaN chalo…
[audio:http://lcweb2.loc.gov/mbrs/master/salrp/082 14.mp3]
Bol…
[audio:http://lcweb2.loc.gov/mbrs/master/salrp/082 05.mp3]
A fourth poem that I would have added to this list is Intisaab. It has been most beautifully sung by Nayarra Noor, and I recently stumbled on this wonderful video based on part of that poem (I wish it had used the entire poem):
Along with Nayarra Noor, Tina Sani is someone who sings Faiz with a heartfelt passion and understanding; both, of course, are at their best when singing Faiz nazms composed by Arshad Mahmood. There are many Tina Sani renditions that are worth celebrating, but here is a relatively new one – on the poem mairay dil mairay musafir – which like everything above seems to speak personally to me (and to so many others). For those of us who are living in diyar-i-ghair, this is a particularly pertinent poem which is sung particularly well:
Of course, no Faiz Mela can conclude without Iqbal Bano singing Hum Daikhain Gay. Long-time readers of this blog know that ATP and its notion of Pakistaniat (also here) is inspired by Faiz and by this particular tarana of Pakistaniat. Our very first post was based on my own amatuerish effort to visualize that vision, and probably no one except Jinnah has been quoted more often at ATP than Faiz Ahmad Faiz. I have posted it a number of times since then. Let me please do so again. This time, not as much for my visualization as for Iqbal Bano’s wonderful rendition.
Yes, Lazim Hai Kay Hum Bhi Daikhain Gay:
“hum daikhain gay” is an anthem that encapsulates the essence of pakistaniat; the awami aavaaz in the face of dictatorship; however allow me to propose some utter nonsense; Adil, I know you love this nazm and i am sharing these foolish thoughts because i know that you will give me the benefit of the doubt:), imho this nazm has been done with greater emotion greater pathos by Najam Sheraz; infact this is both a tribute to Faiz but also to Iqbal Banu. Anyone interested in disagreeing with me; please do check out Najam perform at the Indus TV Tribute to Legends – Faiz Ahmed Faiz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ka3dTP6768
Give it a listen and tell me I am wrong :)
Since this is Faiz Day at ATP, let me just express how I relate to Faiz; and the answer lies in the kind of life he lived; never holding a grudge against anyone; refering to himself in a sufistic style ie., shunning attention that he so positively deserved but did not crave; in his complete belief of a better future; that each verse has a new meaning; a new way of looking at things
woh to woh hai, tumhe ho jayegi ulfat mujh se
ik nazar tum mera mehboob-e-nazar to dekho
Thanks Adil….very nice post.
Vo log bohat khush-qismat thay
Jo Ishq ko kaam samajhtay thay
Ya kaam say aashqui kertay thay
Hum jeetay jee masroof rahay
Kuch ishq kiya, kuch kaam kiya
Kaam ishq kay aaRay aata raha
Or ishq say kaam ulajhta raha
Phir aakhir tung aa ker hum naiN
DonoN ko adhuura choR diya
[…] 13 Feb 2007 Happy Birthday! Faiz Posted by tunha under Religion , Politics , Poetry , Society , Pakistan Today is Faiz AhmadFaiz’s 106th birthday. Those who, like me feel, indebted to Faiz ahmad Faiz please see this excellent post by Adil Najam on All things Pakistan. […]
Mir–Ghalib–Iqbal–Faiz. The string of great Urdu poets shall continue in all ages and in all times.