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Bhopal: “Aa’ina-e-Sukhan”, a
collection of poems penned by noted poet Dr. Iqbal Ahmad Khan “Arif”,
who is a Physicist by profession, was released at a simple but
impressive function in Mulla Sajjad hall of local Saifia Science
College here on Sunday.
Mrs. Qaiser Zaman, chairperson All Saints’ Group of Institutions,
presided over the function while Urdu litterateur Prof. Afaq
Ahmad, Madhya Pradesh Urdu Academy chairman Jaafar Baig and
Principal Saifia Science College Prof. Hasan Abbas were guests of
honour on the occasion. The four-some released the book
“Aa’ina-e-Sukhan” amidst thunderous applause from the well
attended audience who comprised of his colleagues, friends,
well-wishers and connoisseurs of Urdu “Shayari”.
As the book “Aa’ina-e-Sukhan” was being released the author Dr.
Iqbal “Arif” appeared to be in a trance seeing his literary works
being applauded in his lifetime before his own eyes. He witnessed
the event from close quarters as he shared the dais and in the
moment of glory his better half Mrs. Shahnaz was also present on
the occasion. His couplet “Kisi Ke Huq Mein Kisi Ke Khilaaf
Kahdoonga, Main Aa’ina Hoon Jo Dekhoonga Saaf Kahdoonga”, which is
adorned on a mirror image on the cover of the book, echoed in the
auditorium as Iqbal Masood, who conducted the function with
aplomb, rendered it. The couplet summarized his
straight-forwardness about the issues which he saw, felt and
experienced in day-to-day life and penned them in a lucid manner.
Thereby, through sarcasm and satires in his works he has brought
out the ills pervading in the society to the fore together with
the pain, anguish and agony felt by the common man to give him
solace that he was not alone bearing the hazards of life.
Mrs. Qaiser Zaman in her presidential speech complimented Dr.
Iqbal “Arif” for his forays in the Urdu literary world despite
being a professor of science, having taught Physics all his life.
She drew Dr. Iqbal’s comparison with 18th century London-based
mystic poet William Blake (1757-1827) who wanted to see the world
in a grain of sand and Heaven in a white flower. Apart from being
a poet Blake was a painter, engraver and mystic in the tradition
of Plato, Jesus, Rumi, and St. Francis.
Mrs. Zaman said: “Our professor is lucky enough to have got
recognition as an Urdu poet in his lifetime but Blake’s deep
mystical intuition and his skill and genius as an artist and poet
went almost unrecognized during his lifetime”. Dr. Iqbal has given
impetus to Urdu language which is different from other languages
as it is cherished and adored by the people for its beauty and
richness. These qualities are missing as other languages are
bereft of it.
Prof. Afaq speaking on the occasion congratulated poet Dr. Iqbal
“Arif” for his literary work and said that in the garden of Urdu a
new flower has bloomed. The poet knows the art to put forth his
thoughts in words in a succinct manner. He feels the pulse of the
people and the society at large in day-to-day life and pens his
experiences in poetic form using words diligently to convey his
message in an effective style, he added.
Prof. Afaq quoted a number of Dr. Iqbal’s couplets to prove his
point. He congratulated him for acknowledging his mentors,
especially Ustad Shayer Abid Akhtar who chiseled his poetic works
and thought to groom him into a perfect poet.
Jaafar Baig while appreciating Dr.
Iqbal’s poetic collections said behind every successful man there
is hand of a woman which is a historical fact. Thereafter, he
coaxed the organizers to call Dr. Iqbal’s wife Mrs. Shahnaz to
come on and share the dais with her husband in this hour of glory
which she reciprocated reluctantly.
Meanwhile, a number of Urdu litterateurs which included Zafar
Naseemi, Zia Farooqui, Iqbal Masood and Abrar Naghmi presented
papers on the life and works of poet Dr. Iqbal “Arif”. Some of the
couplets quoted by the litterateurs to analyse his poetic prowess
were as follows:-
Bund Ahsasaat Ka Itna Bhi Darwazah Naa Ho;
Mit Rahe HoN Aap Aur Mitne Ka Andazah Naa Ho
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Farishta Bun Ke To Koi Bhi Zindagi Jee Le;
Kaleja Chhahiye Jeene Ko Aadmi Ki Tarah
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Main HuN Haqeeqat Pasand “Arif”, Yeh Mujh Se Hurgiz Naa Ho Sakega;
Ke Khaar Wa Khas Ko Gulab LikhuN, Chiraagh Ko Aftaab LikhuN
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Dhulte NahiN Kabhi Bhi Lahu Se Lahu Ke Daagh;
Tu Azm-e-Intaqaam Ko Dil Se Nikaal De
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Har Ek Dil MeiN Hasad Hai Har Ek Dil MeiN Nafaq;
Kamaal Dekhiye Be Aag Jal Rahe HaiN Log
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Be Zameeri Ka Raha Raaj To Bazaar Mein Kal;
Burf Ke Baant Nazar Ayenge Meezan Ke Saath
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Jawani Ghar Ke Tukde Kar Rahi Hai;
Budhapa Haath Apne Mal Raha Hai
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Baba Ko Budhape MeiN Aise Naa Sahara De;
Jaise Kisi Mayyat Ko Rahi Kandha De
Qad Sab Ke Unki Bazm Mein Kam Kardiye Gaye;
Jo Sar NahiN Jhuke Woh Qalam Kar Diye Gaye
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Tu Bhi Eimaan Ko Bazaar MeiN Laakar Rakhde;
Tere QadmoN Mein Bhi Duniya Ka Khazana Hoga
At the outset poet Prof. Iqtadar Afsar rendered a “Hamd” (poetic
praise of the Almighty Allah) penned by him which was appreciated
by the assemblage.
A state-level “Mushaira” (poetic meet) was held after the book
release wherein a number of local and outstation poets
participated.
Now, a brief profile of Dr. Iqbal “Arif”. He retired as Professor
of Physics from Saifia Science College, Bhopal, and is at present
Principal of local All Saints’ College of Science & Commerce. He
was born on November 17, 1947 in Qasba Sherkot, District Bijnor of
Uttar Pradesh. After completing his M.Sc. and B.Ed. he landed in
Bhopal in 1972 and joined Saifia College as Lecturer in Physics.
Later on he did his Ph.D. from Barkatullah University, Bhopal. The
title of his thesis was “Electro Negativity & Chemical Shift of
X-Ray Absorption Edges”.
He has to his credit the Urdu translation of a book authored by
Nobel Laureate Dr. Abdus Salam, who was the Director of
International Centre of Theoretical Physics, Italy. The title of
the book was “Ideals & Realities”.
(pervezbari@eth.net)
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