Daily Times

In order to judge a man’s personality, it is generally quoted that a man is known by the company he keeps. Similarly, this reviewer feels that a student is known by the teacher he has studied from. Kamran Nazir in his poetry book Khwab Ke Dukh has dedicated his book to his late mentor Khalid Ahmad, who was a profound poet.

He quotes Khalid Ahmad through the couplet, “Harees-e-Lazzat-Aazaar Khalid, Kabhi Hum Bhi Tere Sathi Rahe Hain” (Avaricious of taste of excruciation I have been once your friend, Khalid). So one expects poetry of some taste in the book under review. Kamran says, “Zindigi Jabr Ka Saheefa Hai, Saari Duniya Sitam Raseeda Hai” (Life is story of tyranny and the world is its recipient). Such poetry exhibits human being’s inner sorrow which is basically the sorrow of his dreams.

Apart from romantic poetry, which is considered as an essential element of writing ghazals, Kamran Nazir is not short of other topics. He says ‘Teergi Aur Bala Ki Khamoshi/Khamshi Bolti Hei Sunta Hun’ (Silence overlaps darkness but when silence speaks, I listen to it) – Page 116. Kamran protests about loot and plunder in the couplet ‘Kis Nei Loota Hei Kitna Maal-o-Zar/Har Taraf Goonjte Rahe Na’are’ (Who has looted the wealth? All we have listened to are the slogans of corruption) – Page 124. About the state in which the poor live, Kamran says ‘Kisi Ko Bhook Nei Maara, Kisi Ko Pyas Nei Maara/Ameer-e-Sheher Kehte Hain Inhain Iflaas Nei Maara’ (somebody died of hunger, somebody died of thirst but the leaders say the poverty was the reason) – Page 143. It is sarcasm that the head of the city gives the same reasons which are the actual ones.

Dr Sa’adat Saeed feels that Nazir desires to present poignancy through his poetry. He observes that in the present era, poets do not stick to traditional expressions or vocabulary. They develop their own linguistic expressions. They look for the words that express their feelings

On the other hand love has been expressed in the couplet ‘Main Nei Ik Roz Teri Yaad Sei Aankhain Bhar Leen/Phir Nahi Yaad Koi Yaad Raha Hei Keh Nahi’ (One day I filled my eyes with your memory, then I do not remember if I remembered anybody). It is a unique way to express the madness in love. Kamran Nazir has also written poems. He is afraid of leaving his home because when he goes out he comes to know that many have left this world. He fights with his loneliness. He finds none who would lend his shoulders for him to cry. He just listens to his breathing. He dreads his own thoughts. He finds it impossible to travel in such circumstances. So he stays home. (Poem titled ‘Ghar’ (home) – Page 145.

Dr Sa’adat Saeed feels that Nazir desires to present poignancy through his poetry. He observes that in the present era, poets do not stick to traditional expressions or vocabulary. They develop their own linguistic expressions. They look for the words that express their feelings or the message they desire to transmit. They do not bother if any senior poet used such expressions earlier or not. Kamran Nazir is one among this category.

He says ‘Shauq Main Doob Doob Jaata Hun/She’r Kehta Hun Jab Rawani Main’ (I am deeply immersed in my passion when poetry dawns upon me) – Page 10. Flow in saying poetry only comes when the poet comes out of the traditional use of vocabulary.

Though it is a different story that even such poets who have a tendency to revolt against traditions cannot get away from writing on traditional subjects such as love, separation, meaningless world, humility, simplicity, peace, greed, and closeness to God, injustices prevalent in society etc. Kamran Nazir has engulfed all these issues in his poetry and felt pain in his dreams. He feels both for human beings and animals like Gotum Budh did. He says ‘Roshan Kheyal Fikr-o-Nazar Hei Agar Naseeb/Gotum Kei Roop Main Bhi Tau Autaar Daikhiye’ (If bright images are my destiny then look for it in Gotum) – Page 11.

The book under review is the third poetry collection by Nazir, the earlier ones being Aks Gar and Muhabat Haar Baitha Hu. He has also written naats.

The writer is the recipient of the prestigious Pride of Performance award. He can be reached at doc_amjad@hotmail.com