Ahmed Faraz: The Light Stays

Pinkuji, Ladduji, Sanatani & NKG,

These darbari Gs such as tahmed and Pt Mandarji will take you around the world showing and talking Mao, Tao, Lenin's goaty, Sophia Loren's zanty etc etc. If you look little deeper in their ancestry and the reason for conversion of Allah Ki Maaa and dracula you would know how these Gs think. They want phukatka. HKs!

But the poor common Abdul and Salma are not like them. Visit them and their masjids even if they are in Dharavi. Attend their Namazs and Khutba prayers. Take their kids to your Satsangs and discourses of Swamis and saints. Help them in celebrating ShivJayantis. Few months back when on visit to India because of arguments with a bevda daintier-painter I had to visit for 15-20 minutes nearby mosque in a poor neighborhood. Because I only had 15 -20 minutes to make point that you "Arabic Rs" need to come on the street protesting Jaipur bombings and run a blood donation drive,
and since I am not that diplomatic or erudite like you guys in the heat of intensity in Masjid I said Sala Kuraan in my speech. Then one bevada started shouting Touba Touba, then I blurted out Oye Mullaji why do you allow Allah ki G maraowing in this place of worship. That F Allaha is in these kids ..look at those sparky eyes....for Allaha sake dont kill that F allaha with hate for local heroes, culture and Dharma.... you Gs need to own the local culture, language and history. Almost all of the 35-30 men agreed. They took my tel numbers and most of them are dear friends. They want small favors for jobs. Twice I was invited for mutton biryani but when we went my driver and I gave rest to the ladies and took control of cooking to make mast shooji halawa of organic cut wheat, organic gud and pure desi cow ghee which we brought with us. The kids and the folks relished it so much.

anyway ...2 paisa worth. We can save India and make the leading nation which will show the right way to the world by small actions of embracing our poor and fallen.

I would trust this IAS qualified Tibetan/Buddhist more:

Separatism is unacceptable

Claude Arpi

In the past fortnight, several senior commentators have decided it is time to accept the separatists' demand for self-determination in the Kashmir Valley. One commentator has written, "As a liberal, I dislike ruling people against their will... Let Kashmiris decide the outcome, not the politicians and Armies of India and Pakistan... The parallels between British rule in India and Indian rule in Kashmir have become too close for my comfort."

Such reasoning is fallacious. To "dislike ruling people against their will" is not reason enough to let parts of India secede. Don't you think that the people of Arunachal Pradesh often feel neglected by the rulers in Delhi who decide their future without consulting them and 'against their will'? Any 'liberal' (if he/she is honest) will apply the same reasoning to the entire North-East. Should these States also secede? In the 1980s, the Khalistanis in Punjab also felt that Delhi was ruling them 'against their will'. Should Punjab have become independent?

As for the 'promised' plebiscite, which is being resurrected by 'liberal' commentators, the UN resolutions of August 1948 and January 1949 were clear and specific. The proposed plebiscite was for all the regions of Jammu & Kashmir. Further it was conditional to the Pakistani troops withdrawing from all the areas it had occupied in the State; and, second, Pakistan withdrawing its tribesmen and nationals not ordinarily resident in these areas from the entire State.

For the UN, there was no question of first changing the demography of the occupied areas. To hold a plebiscite after the Kashmir Valley has been cleansed of its Hindu population will only encourage secessionists and terrorists to use similar tactics in other parts of India.

Another eminent columnist has written, "If you believe in democracy, then giving Kashmiris the right to self-determination is the correct thing to do... This is India's century. We have the world to conquer -- and the means to do it. Kashmir is a 20th century problem. We cannot let it drag us down and bleed us as we assume our rightful place in the world." This merits only one comment: If India is further dismembered, it is doubtful that the 21st century will be India's century. Allowing Kashmiris to secede is certain to become a precedent for others in India to 'democratically' ask for their right to self-determination.

Similar to the position taken by our 'liberals' has been that of the foreign media which has reacted to the recent troubles with its old prediction that 'Kashmir will soon be lost for India". DIE?} Le Monde quotes Ahmed, a young Kashmiri, as saying, "I prefer to die in the streets shouting 'Long Live Free Kashmir' than in an isolated confinement after being tortured (by the Indian Army)." Ahmed's friends, says Le Monde, threw stones at security forces while screaming, "Indians are dogs." Then, referring to Abhinav Bindra's gold medal, Ahmed says, "But it is in Kashmir that Indians are the best shooters."

Le Figaro, in an article headlined "Kashmir bye-bye?", its correspondent spoke of the "beauty of the Valley which nobody questions, though some in India have nonetheless begun to ask themselves if the future of their great democracy is to keep four million Kashmiris against their will. It is a new tune!" The correspondent, however, asked a relevant question: "Why has the Government in New Delhi kept silent and inactive for so long when the tension had already started mounting in July?"

The problem is not only the poor leadership of the rulers in Delhi, though nobody can deny that the present crisis has been created by the inept handling of the situation, but also the wily leadership in the Kashmir Valley.

If one looks at the history of Jammu & Kashmir, one realises that whenever the Valley has been stricken by famine, war or invasion, it was due to the poor leadership and despotism of its kings, sultans and maharajas. The Chinese pilgrim Hsuan-tsang has described Kashmiris thus: "They are volatile and timid; they are good-looking, but deceitful."

The history of Kashmir is a succession of alternating periods when just and fair rulers made the Valley a 'Paradise on Earth' and times when "people were treated as grass", to quote the historian Srivara, one of the authors of Rajatarangini. He describes one of these periods during the 15th century when "accepting bribes was considered by the officers as virtue, oppressing the subjects was regarded as wisdom and the addiction to wine and women was reckoned as happiness".

Take the more recent example of Sheikh Abdullah, described by historian S Gopal as "Nehru's old friend, colleague and blood-brother." Sheikh Abdullah was chosen by Jawaharlal Nehru in January 1948 to plead India's case in the UN. Though a member of the official Indian delegation to Lake Success, Abdullah had a secret meeting with US Ambassador Austin, who reported to the US Secretary of State, "It is possible that the principal purpose of Abdullah's visit was to make clear to US that there is a third alternative, namely independence... He made quite a long and impassioned statement on the subject. He said in effect that whether Kashmir went to Pakistan or India, the other dominion would always be against a solution... (Kashmir) is a rich country. He did not want his people torn by dissension between Pakistan and India. It would be much better if Kashmir were independent and could seek American and British aid for development of the country" Thus was the seed 'azadi' planted by Nehru's 'blood-brother'.

Adlai Stevenson came to Srinagar to meet Abdullah in May 1953. The creation of an independent 'Sheikdom of Kashmir' was the purpose of the visit. This would perfectly suit American interests by checking the advances of the Chinese in Xinjiang and the Russians in Afghanistan. A 'non-aligned' Nehru could not be considered a reliable ally. At that time, The New York Times published a map hinting at an independent status for the Valley and a few days later, Abdullah asserted in a speech, "It is not necessary that our State should become an appendage of either India or Pakistan."

This habit of saying something one day and doing the opposite the next has been characteristic of most of the leaders of Jammu & Kashmir for the past 60 years. Sheikh Abdullah's grandson, Mr Omar Abdullah, recently said in Parliament, "We fought for our land and will continue to fight for our land till our last breath." This same person shamelessly sides with those who say that Hindus are trying to change the demography of the Kashmir Valley by erecting some temporary structures for pilgrims.

With a vacillating Centre, a weak Governor, a father-and-daughter duo always ready to pull the carpet from under their partner's feet and the secessionists back in the news after several years, the State of Jammu & Kashmir seems doomed. But not if India were to stand firm and resist those who wish to see the country disintegrate.

For an altogether 'realpolitik' reason, I'm reminded of Quaid-e-Azam's statement that we'd secure a space for to-be Pakistan, even if it was just as big as a match-box...

"For an instant or two we glow
Like a match stick"

And on Faulkner's death, Camus said, before an artist takes his leave he must affix his signature in this world and say "I was here" -- Ahmad Faraz knew it.
In the nearest language, it always works.

This is about a poet Ahmed Faraz. Not about Kashmir and some other dispute. Don't you have little decency?

I request Chowk staff to please remove all these posts below about Kashmir and what not.

Chowk has decided to publish this tribute to the greatest Urdu poet of our times, now chowkstaff should at least show some respect to him too.
Please remove the posts below!

Why casticism of written word?

One Kavi Allaha Ki Maa heleped in breaking millions of homes.

The poetic words he uttered were actually not from his soul but it was the Abrahmic ghost which is torturing human mind for last 1700 years.

Kavi (from a root kū "to cry out") is a Sanskrit term for thinker, intelligent man, man of understanding, leader; a wise man, sage, seer, prophet; a singer, bard, poet.

People who have lost their roots, their tongue, and are not in tune with soul's vibrations which occurs by being in tune with the nature around them and by owning the the language of the bhumi, ancestors and local culture,

will utter only words which can turn into poison for them and others. Their words cause more harm. They are never empowering. Their words are enslaving. Urdoo an imposed language can only produce scenes of drunkard Yahaa enjoying singing of Noor Jahan when millions were being killed, lakhs of ma-behene were being raped at the same time in other parts of the country. Show us poems of Allha-Ki Maa type poets penning pain of these unfortunate folks. Most of the urdoo poets could only pen hi.da dance of "Choli Ke Piche Kya Hain" for durbari lifafa or mujara at feudal's kothi.

Last I checked this gentleman also like all Baki leaders lived outside Bakiland. It's hopeless when the PMs, presidents and poets of a land come from outside.

Most of the literary world is filled with "you scratch my back I scratch yours" types Gs.

Mulla Omar who lives his words is probably better consciousness than Allaha-Ki-maa type poets.

Tell us more about folks who are building schools, play grounds and temples for Pakistani Hindus who are mostly Harijans.

guru,

Obviously you have no idea who Ahmed Faraz was and why he lived outside Pakistan. Do you understand what the word exile means, and why Faraz decided to leave Pakistan for the time that he did? It did not mean that his love for his country was any less. He was imprisoned for what he wrote against the establishment. Have you ever read his poetry? Have you ever been to a mushaira where he recited or read his ghazals, his poems?

You do not have a clue who this man was, what he wrote, what he meant not only to Pakistanis, but to Indians who read him and listened as well, and all you can come up with is incoherent dribble.

Ahmed Faraz was a man of conscience (where is yours?), he wrote poems of resistance, he wrote of things that you will most likely never understand, and those who know his poetry, and know of his struggle are saddened by his death. So stop making yourself look like a fool (which does not take much) and stop your incoherent babble about a man you know nothing about, and things that do not belong on this board.

And by the way, it is Pakistan, and Pakistani, unless you are an Arab, and it's rather ignorant to write maliciously of a language just because it does not have the letter "p". Which Urdu, the language Faraz wrote in, does have.

So either read some of Faraz's poetry, learn who he was, and then talk about him, or please go and expose your stale breath elsewhere.

***

Thank you Mutaal for this.

A couplet that Faraz recited while he was in New Delhi, for a mushaira:

Let’s again begin the journey of love, let’s again become each others’. If there is question of ego with you, then let me extend my hand of friendship to you

Thank you Faraz sahib for sharing your journey of love with us. May your spirit and words remain with your people, and your friends forever. Memory eternal.

Ana,

"Do you understand what the word exile means"

I understand by example. Dracula was in exile from 31-35, so also BB, AZ, NS, SA etc etc.

"He was imprisoned for what he wrote against the establishment"

Did he write about the plight of innocents in bangladesh or Hindu harris? Did he write about abduction of Hindu Sindhi girls and forced conversion & marriage?

Ana,

"it's rather ignorant to write maliciously of a language just because it does not have the letter "p""

We know Bakistan does not have peace because the imposed durbari language does not have letter "p."

Those who attended his mushiara or whatever need to be lined up at LOC & Jammu border and made sing his poetry. Let's see if the Jihadis can be stopped. This way atleast poor innocent rikshawwala and helpless kids can be saved.

These fake poets and the printing industry breeds a class of parasitic Gs who are as much diversion used by the establishment. In Islamic society it's the mo's Islamic pyramid scheme which is establishment. Most of their poetry is emasculating "Khiza Ke Phool Pe Sathi" type girlish stinking farts, which pollutes generations.

Urdoo is an imposed imperialistic language which destroys local language and culture. Give me Sanskrit to solve to Understand Sulbha Sutra, Patanjali Yoga Sutra and Vedic Maths. It will help me in implementing algorithm for square rooting a number efficiently in digital and also biological computers.

Till Bakiland dumps alien language and shades the Abrahmic coat on the local human spirituality it will not have peace or soulful poetry. The road to human soul is blocked by Abrahm. Real poetry has to be from the bottom of the soul.

Ana,

I can go on, but it's kind of too late.

Words which are not matched with action are injurious to oneself and the universe.

These Islamic drunkard and addict Ghalib type so called poets have destroyed real meaning of Kavi.

Sage Walmiki was Kavi, sage Ved Vyas was Kavi, Dnyneshwar Mauli was Kavi, Sant Tukaram and Samarth Ramdas were Kavis.

Rest are just emasculating Hizdas.

Re: # 7

sentiments shared ana bibi!

Thanks for write-up, Mooquin sahib.

I met Ahmed Faraz once in Islamabad. It was early morning, and my father and I went for our daily walk up the road leading to Daman-e-Koh. At the bend in the road half-way up which provides a view of the valley to one side and the steep road up the mountain on the other (anyone who has taken this road will know what I am talking about), Ahmed Faraz was sitting by himself on a rock. My father and Faraz sahib joked a bit (early morning walkers in the margalla area form their own little community, some being well-known people) about the great perch he was seated on, and of the view from there. And then we kept on walking. I must read his poetry some day.

Re: # 13; tahmed sahib
[[I must read his poetry some day]]

tsk tsk ... you disappoint me sir!

guru:

Some of your qavis might take offense to what you are saying about other qavis. You unfortunately cannot see beyond the tip of your nose.

You are stuck in some era long ago, and have closed yourself off to the realities in the world. Urdu may have come about as a language due to the imperialists, but it was not an "imposed" language. It was not imposed as a court language, or even national language until Pakistan came into being. So what is your point there?

Ahmed Faraz did write about Bangladesh. As did Faiz. Faraz wrote about students in Karachi who were killed needlessly in protest. He wrote about how the truth becomes the lie As I said, you have no interest in who he was anyway, only insofar as it serves your hater agenda. And many poets in many languages, liked to drink. It did not mean their words were soulless, or that they were without souls. You know what you pathetic guru (even your avatar is a lie) git? If Faraz had read your qavis, he would have declared them to be seekers of the truth as well.

Ahmed Faraz was no saint, but you know nothing of his actions to say they did not match his words.

Again, kindly stop polluting this board with your incoherent babblings. If you have no respect for human life, then it is no surprise that you cannot appreciate a person's death or that you use the deaths of others to insult a man who had nothing to do with these tragedies.

I have no more interest in communicating with you. I came here to pay tribute to a poet whom my family and countless families read and appreciated. It is really pathetic of you to have brought your "kaana" vision and your narrow judgments here. It would have been one thing if you knew who Faraz was, because there are certainly Pakistanis who did not appreciate him or his poetry either, those selfish, power-seeking, ignorant Pakistanis, even some of those who call themselves "liberals", but you do not know anything about him, so guess what, you pathetic person who calls himself a guru, you are really no different from those Bakistanis.

Deal with it.

sad news indeed. This is like end of an era in urdu poetry.

Faiz, Sahir, Ali Sardar Jafri, Firaq, Habib Jalib, Kaifi....and now Faraz also gone! He was probably the last in that great caravan.

"bichhRay sabhi baari baari..........."

Urdu poetry is never going to be same again!