Like Ata ul Haq Qasmi and Dr. Sughra Sadaf, I have never met Khalid Masood except through versions of him in his poetry book, ‘Ra’anaai’. I initially took him to be the comedy poet Khalid Masood from Multan until I saw the picture of the writer in his book under review, a book of Urdu poetry that I have made the topic of discussion here. Asghar Nadeem Syed declares Khalid Masood as “Ra’anaai Ka Sha’air” (a poet of semblance/colorful freshness). He believes that Ghazal has been the most popular format of poetry up till now and no other format possesses as much variety of meanings as is present in Ghazal format. We are part of the global village nowadays, and Urdu translations of poets of different languages are accessible now too. Other formats like poems, prose poems, sonnets and Haiku are gradually becoming popular as well. Asghar Nadeem Syed finds expression, search, pursuit, attachment, pain, love and protest in Khalid Masood’s poetry and shades of one topic in a hundred colours. For instance, Khalid says “Har Aik Cheez Hui Jaati Hei Neelam/Waten Lutairon Kei Hathon Main Aa Gaya Hei Tammam’ (each and everything is available for auction by the bandits running the state of affairs of the nation – page 62). Khalid says “Sheher Ki Ho Rahi Hei Kaya Tauseeh/Kat Rahe Hain Hare Bhare Ashjaar” (in the wake of the city’s development, green trees are being cut – page 64). Hassan Abbasi says that Khalid has a temperament of a typical poet. If in the mood, he says many Ghazals in just one go, otherwise nothing dawns upon him for days. Personally, I have found a lot of variety in Khalid’s poetry. A very interesting Ghazal appears on page 55 where he says “Sawal-e-Wasl Kas Uss Nei Diya Jawab Aadha/Keh Pattian Bakhairain Kaya Gulab Adha?” (My beloved half replied to my raising question on the night of our meeting. It is like showering half the petal leafs of a rose). The word ‘Aadha’ (half) is sparingly used in poetry done with craftsmanship, in this Ghazal. Since a couplet of a Ghazal can have independent meanings, which are not necessarily connected to each other, Khalid has taken the liberty of dreaming to see his province united; he says, “Udhoora Paaya Hei Punjab Ba’ad Azaadi/Hunooz Tashna Hei Khush Haali Ka Bhi Khwaab Aadha” (I found Punjab in half after Independence, and my dream of prosperity too, is half baked) On this topic, Ghazala Nawaz in her submission observes that the British plan of the Partition of the Punjab in 1947 provoked a long and bitter controversy among historians, civil servants and the masses. The focus of controversy was Mountbatten, who was accused of influencing Radcliffe, the Chairman of the Boundary Commission, in altering the demarcated lines of the boundaries at the last stage. It was alleged that Mountbatten prevailed upon Radcliffe to allot Ferozepore, Zira and a large portion of Gurdaspur district to India, linking it with the state of Jammu and Kashmir. In other words, the Award was deliberately altered to help India and harm Pakistan. Mountbatten wanted to become the common Governor General of the two new states i.e. India and Pakistan. While Nehru had agreed to oblige him, Jinnah did not. This infuriated Mountbatten, as his ego was hurt and thus, prompted him to create problems for Pakistan. Issues such as the above shall keep on irritating historians, scholars and politicians for times to come. All a poet can do is vent his feelings through his poetry. Many other pieces by Khalid Masood have a love shade in them. A lot has been said on this theme since ages. Khalid has still dared to lay his hands on this theme in classical tradition. He says, “Basti Ujaar Laine Sei Pehle Soch Laina/Dil Woh Nagar Nahi Phir Abaad Kijiye Ga” (before you destroy the city of your heart, do think that such a city cannot be inhabited again). This is the reason why he is depressed, when he hears no news from his beloved; he says, “Tere Milne Ki Jo Naveed Nahi Hota/Mere Liya Woh Lamha Lamha-e-Eid Nahi Hota” – page 71. He is hopeful about extending the duration of his meeting with his beloved, by saying, “Hum Heele Bahane Sei Kaya Karte Hain Baatain/ Mumkin Hei Barha Dain Woh Mulaqaat Ki Ghariyaan” (I keep on extending my conversation with my beloved hoping that our time together gets extended). Khalid Masood has also included many Qata’aat in his poetry book. He says “Gham-e-Zindigi Main Para Hei Bashar/Lagi Daur Si Hei Keh Daikhain Jidher/Yeh Halaat Ki Talkhi Hei Zeest Ka Jabar/Keh Hain Khwaab-o-Khwahish Kei Harsoo Nagar” (wherever one looks, one finds human beings in the race of earning a livelihood. Call it the bitterness of circumstances or tyranny of life that desires and dreams are in great demand – page 111) By giving many instances to Khalid Masood’s poetry, we have tried to establish the fact that a lot is expected from him in the future, in the form of a variety of themes in any format of poetry he chooses to express it in. Title: Ra’anaai Poet: Khalid Masood Publishers: Nasta’aleeq Matbuaat, Lahore Pages: 128 Price: Rs 300 The writer is an award-winning musician and author. He tweets at @amjadparvez and can be reached at doc_amjad@hotmail.com Published in Daily Times, January 20th 2018.