A selection of some of the best couplets by Murtaza Barlas have been published in Laal-o-Gohar printed on excellent paper by Nastaaleeq Matbuaat, Lahore. The selection of poetry is done by Mujtaba Afroze and Irteza Razi. Barlas is a very powerful voice and the medium he has chosen to transmit his message is poetry. Born in Rampur on January 20, 1934, he lived in Muradabad, Uttar Pradesh, British India. He migrated to Pakistan in September 1955 after doing Masters in Mathematics from Agra University. He got selected in West Pakistan Civil Service and remained in important positions like Commissioner Bahawalpur and Board of Revenue member. As a unique officer, he signed his official letters in Urdu and promoted poetry in his free time where ever he was posted. Dedicating his book to Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan he says ‘Ab Jung Hei Yei Ilm Ki, Taaqat Ki Nahi Hei/Talwar Ko Rakh Nayaam Main, Haathon Main Qalam Lei’ (It is a war of knowledge, not of force, so keep your sword in its case and keep pen in your hand). Whether in religious connotations or otherwise, Barlas’s message is strong. He says ‘Qadmon Main Aap Kei Meri Matti AzizHo/Ab Laut Kei Yehan Sei Main Jaaun Ga Kis Tarah’ (My closeness of the soil where Your feet lay makes my return difficult) – Page 14. His strength and belief in what he desires to convey on the other hand is depicted in his couplet ‘Hun Main Najumi Na Qalandar, Phir Bhi Najaane Kyun Aksar/She’er Main Woh Kutch Keh Jaata Hun Jo Kutch Hone Waala Hei; (Neither am I a fortuneteller nor a Clairvoyant but somehow I manage to say in my poetry as to what lay ahead) – Page 21. Barlas has eight books comprising his poetry said at different phases of his life. The titles of his books are ‘Taisha-e-Karab’, ‘Irteaash’, ‘Iztaraar’, ‘Girah-e-Neembaaz’, ‘Seher Chasheeda’, ‘Takmila’, ‘Chaudhaveen Raat Mausam-e-Gul Ki’ and ‘Zinda Asha’ar’ (selection from his poetry). The book ‘Laal-o-Gohar’ is divided into four sections; Tabarukaat comprising religious poetry, Fardiaat (selection of couplets), Ghazliaat and Qata’at. Asif Bhalli dedicates his introduction to Barlas through Mir Taqi Mir’s couplet ‘Daewey Reh Jaein Gei Dhare Sab Kei/Jab Kei Yei Intikhan Nikle Ga’ (all claims shall loose ground when this selection appears). Barlas is a very senior poet. Faiz Ahmad Faiz had once observed that new voice keeps on appearing in literature from time to time but occasionally a voice such as Barlas’s voice erupts that touches the heart for its music and sincerity. The poet has enjoyed top positions in bureaucracy and has challenged every poet out there through his art of ghazal writing About the claims of our leaders from time to time Barlas says ‘Har Koi Dilaata Hei Hum Ko Yaqeen, Woh Tau Gulshan Ki Raunaq Ka Dushman Nahi/Phir Yei Guldaan Ghar Ghar Sajje Kis Tarah, Yei Phool Ko Shaakh Sei Torta Kaun Hei’ (Everybody tries to convince me that he is not against the humbug of the garden, then who plucks the flowers to fill his flower vase!) – Page 49. Probably Barlas is hinting at our leaders filling their personal kitty with nation’s wealth. Then in desperation he says ”In Ko Ankhain Mat Kaho, Chehre Pei Do Dhabbe Kaho, Warna Itna Zulm Kab Ankhon Sei Daikha Jaye Hei’ (My eyes are two dark spots on my face, otherwise how can they witness such an injustice) – Page 48. Barlas then summarizes his capacity of saying meaningful poetry in his couplet ‘Huwa Karti Hei Aisi Aankh Bhi Fankar Kei Under/Bezaahir Bekhabar Reh Kar Jo Duniya Ki Khabar Rakhe’ (There exists an eye in an artist that keeps in touch with the world without letting anyone know about it) – Page 130. It is probably on poetry such as ‘Daikho! Qalam Hei Tumhare Paas Zubaan Bhi Hei/Lab Bastagi Ka Hei Yei Nahi Daur, Kutch Karo’ (Look you have both tongue and pen, so do not remain mum, say what you want to say) – Page 147that Ahmad Naseem Qasmi has commented that Barlas had both clarions and fragrance in his poetry. This reviewer had observed in his review on ‘Seher Chasheeda’ “Murtaza Barlas is famous for his open mindedness to an extent that he expresses himself without any bias. He is progressive in thinking; not in political sense but from humanitarian point of view and desires to see less and less difference between the rich and the poor. He also believes in following the traditions set by his seniors. Having said that it has been observed by critics that his style, diction, thought content and expression is his own that is deciphered when one studies his seventh poetry book titled ‘Seher Chasheeda'”. In ‘Laal-o-Gohar’ Barlas’s last ghazal has a very strong observation about prevalent systems globally, He says ‘Duniya Main Jitni Quwatain Hain Jamhuriat Pasand/In Main Hei Zor-o-Zar Ki Bus Ehmiat Tamaam’ (In all democracies of the world, emphasis lay only on force and money) – Page 200. That is why Dr Muhammad Ali Siddiqui had observed that despite that Barlas enjoyed top positions in bureaucracy; he challenged all the opportunists through his art of writing ghazals! The writer is the recipient of the prestigious Pride of Performance award. He can be reached at doc_amjad@hotmail.com Published in Daily Times, February 15th 2019.