Daily Times

It is astonishing to see somebody doing so much work in one’s field of interest, quality and quantity wise.

One such person is Ghulam Hussain Sajid about whom Mirza Hamid Baig, the renowned scholar writes that a big author excels both in quality and quantity like Mir Taqi Mir, Mushafi and Firaq did. Ghulam Hussain Sajid joined this bandwagon in saying modern ghazal. He gave this view while writing on the first book titled ‘Mausam’ which forms a part of six books titled ‘Mazamir’ – the first part of collection of Sajid’s Urdu poetry comprising 912 pages. The other books included in this collection are ‘Anasir’ – 1993, Kitab-e-Subho’ – 1998, ‘Aainda’ – 2004, Muamila – 2006 and ‘Roodaad’ – 2010. If Sajid has said twenty Ghazals each on various seasons like Bahar (Spring) and alike, he has said twenty each on Various elements of life like Mitti (Soil), Paani (Water), Aag (Fire), Hawa (Air) and Khwaab (Dream). With each of us after having spent almost two decades of the twenty first century, have felt that the traditional concept of values and traditions are perhaps being overtaken by new global culture with the advent of new technologies and modern communication system. That does not imply that we should break our link with our traditional values. Instead we should merge new consciousness with our traditions. There being more scope in Nazm Saying than in Ghazal Saying to pass on one’s message in which format Faiz, Majeed Amjad, Mira Ji and Noon Meem Rashid followed by Iqbal excelled. Even Iqbal’s Ghazal was a little away from traditional treatment. This treatment started and ended in him. Much other experimentation was seen after 1940s in Nasir Kazmi, Ahmad Mushtaq and Shakaib Jalali. 1970s and thereafter witnessed new experiences in some young poets sticking to the traditional treatment given to Ghazal Saying. These young poets used new treatment given to fresh themes and one such poet is Ghulam Hussain Sajid.

Ghulam Hussain Sajid is a bilingual poet. He has written equally appealing Punjabi poetry. “Ali Abbas Jalalpuri and Suhail Ahmad Khan declared me as such in their reviews. I chose to write in both languages as Urdu language is attached to civilization and Punjabi to society” stated Ghulam Hussain Sajid to me recently. Apart from his eleven Urdu poetry books he has published ten poetry and story books in Punjabi namely Duniya Phirey Ghamazi (Kafis/Nazms) 1978, Paani Ramz Bhare (Kafis) 1996, Muhandre (sketches) 1997, Baile Vich Chiriyan (Nazms) 2003, Neender Bhinni Raat (Kahanian) 2006, Sarsawati Taun Ravi Taaein (Nazms) 2007, Baane (Nazman) 2010, Kise Sufne Dei Naal (Ghazals) 2012, Munjh Usare Mahal (Nazman) 2014 and Urwaar (Stories) 2018. It is generally believed that his Nazms are burning, harmonious and swift-moving. He equates and identifies himself with the aroma of his ancestral soil, to which he belongs, but has been exiled and staggers in modern urbanized settings. He asks the cotton whirligig the following; remove poison from my life, extinguish fire inside me, shred illiteracy, lack of talent, truth, tunefulness, rising tempo, such that his life gets warmth of new life.

I heard this poem from Sajid in one of Halqa Arbab-e-Zauq’s literary sessions in Lahore of which he was the secretary also. His rendering in a deep voice left an impact. In this poem, Sajid’s dialect is that of land of Multan. He was born in a village near Mian Channu

Painjeya

Pinj Dei Meri Mitti Jinu Paan Charhi Aei Sukh Di

Pinj Dei Meri Aphar, Jehri Vich Jutte Nahi Mumdi

Pinj Dei Meri Kawer, Jehri Mur Mur Menu Khumdi

Pinj Dei Pather Honde Paani, Machde Mactch Nu Pinj Dei

Pinj Dei Koor Nu, Koher Nu, Kutch Nu, Viche Sach Nu Pinj Dei

Pinj Dei Taal Ni, Gurr Nu, Sur Nu, Charhadi Lei Nu Pinj Dei,

Pinj Dei Mere Aaal Duale Di Har Shai Nu Pinj Dei

Taan Jai Naveen Talaai Vichon Nigh Charhe Mur Jug Nu

Taan Jai Jeevan Daan Mile Mur Saadhe Haan Di Agg Nu.

I heard this poem from Sajid in one of Halqa Arbab e Zauq’s literary sessions in Lahore of which he was the Secretary also. His rendering in his deep voice left an abysmal impact. In this poem Sajid’s dialect is that of land of Multan. He was born in a village near Mian Channu.

I shall borrow the words of Abrar Ahmad who wrote on Sajid’s book ‘Sarsawati Taun Ravi Taein’. “His diction is a balanced blend of the ancient and the modern. We can identify a modern man with all shades of feelings. At the same time there is a wave of ‘Malamat’ (self-pity) running throughout his offerings”. This book encompasses the philosophy of past 3000 years with reference to the philosophers therein, Sajid mentioned to me in one of our meetings. Though he has written Punjabi poetry in Ghazal format like in his book ‘Kise Sufne Dei Naal’ but his poetry that oozed out from his within demanded to be expressed in Nazm format instead. When he sits to Say poetry in Punjabi, the mystery in him and the knots tied within him start getting untwined one by one in the form of his poems. The prodigy of Sufi poets seems to be submerged with that of modern times.

It is ironic that since the partition of the subcontinent we Punjabis converse in Urdu with our children as though Punjabi is a language of the ‘Jaangli’ (illiterate) ones. Even my children learnt Punjabi when in schools. Those who have Urdu as their native tongue ridicule Punjabi and portray them through characters in the showbiz speaking Urdu in Punjabi dialect. It is ironic that all those who excelled in Urdu poetry had Punjabi background like Iqbal, Faiz, Munir, Nasir and alike barring Josh and John Elia. The world over, all the great literature emanated in the native language of the poets like in France and now in China. Punjabi is an ancient language and lot of literature is available in this language. Unfortunately a wrong perception existed that Punjabi had no link with wisdom and knowledge, stated Sajid in an informal conversation. Research in this language had started even under Colonial Rule. Ghulam Hussain Sajid while talking on this sensitive subject gave example of an upside down tree that in our curriculum. Masters and Doctorate works are being carried out in Punjabi literature but this tree has no roots. He emphasized that we need to teach this language right from elementary level and up. He said that he has raised the plight of Punjabi language and literature at all forums and while participating in rallies. He said that he has tried to remain at par with the contemporary Punjabi poetry said elsewhere and has tried to bring format of Nazm close to the modern poetry in other languages. “I have made use to literary movements as far as the latest themes, topics and metaphors are concerned. That includes poems said to give proper status to my language” he added. Despite that he has touched these issues in his two fiction books but basically being a poet he has said poetry in seven books.

He hoped the implementation of High Court Lahore’s order dated 12. 02. 2019 to present the decision of the Supreme Court in Punjab Cabinet for making Punjabi as a compulsory subject at Primary level.

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