Muzaffar Hanfi: Remembering A Contemplative Poet

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 1 April 2024 Thappa Laga Hai 'Muzaffar' Ke Naam Ka Us Ka Koi Bhi Sher Kahin Se Utha Ke Dekh (There's An Unmistakable Stamp Of The Name, Muzaffar/ Pick Up Any Of His Couplets At Random) Prof. Muzaffar Hanfi, a prominent Urdu Poet, critic, and writer ------ The aforementioned couplet of Muzaffar Hanfi underlines the uniqueness of his craftsmanship. You cannot understand his couplets at first blush. One needs to ferret out the meanings. "Har Sher Mein Baat Ho Kuchh Aisi/ Har Koi Samajhne Lage Toh Phir Shayari Kaisi ? " (There must be something unique in every couplet / If it's intelligible to everyone, how can it be poetry?). Mind you, he's not demeaning his readers. Nor is he condescending. He's just reiterating his contemporary Urdu poet Bashar Nawaz from Aurangabad, "Lafzon Ke Ma.Ani Khulte Chale Jaayein / Jyon Pyaaz Ki Partein Aahista Se Alag Hon" (The connotations of the words slowly become clearer / The way, layers of an onion are slowly peeled off). But at the same time, Hanfi criticized too much ambiguity and wrote, "Shaakhon Par Ibhaam Ke Paikar Latak Rahe Hain/ Lafzon Ke Jangal Mein Ma.Ani Bhatak Rahe Hain" (Figures of ambiguity are hanging from the branches/ The meanings are loitering in the forest of words). Muzaffar Hanfi was a lecturer of Urdu. By the way, he was the Vice President of Indian Universities Urdu Teachers Association. Obviously, a teacher's poetry is slightly didactic: Bachpan Mein Aakaash Ko Chhoota-Sa Lagta Tha/ Iss Peepal Ki Shakhein Ab Kitni Neechi Hain (When I was a child, the Peepul tree looked like touching the sky / Now its branches are drooping). Poet talks of changing perspectives of the onlooker and also the decline of an object with time and age. Hanfi is known for the use of sarcasm. Here's an example, "Shukriya Reshmi Dilase Ka/ Teer Toh Aap Ne Bhi Maara Tha" (Thanks for the silken/false consolations / You too hit / aimed at me). His honesty is worth-appreciating: Ghamon Par Muskura Lete Hain Lekin Muskura Kar Hum/ Khud Apni Hi Nazar Mein Chor Se Ma'aloom Hote Hain (I smile at my sorrows and sufferings/ But at the very next moment, it becomes embarrassing for me). Anything ephemeral and evanescent fails to appeal to him, "Yoon Palkon Pe Jagmagana Do Ghadi Ka Aish Hai/ Roshni Ban Ke Mere Andar Hi Andar Phail Ja" (Glittering on the eyelids is a fleeting moment of happiness/ Come, spread within me like the effulgence ). Elsewhere, he says the same thing in a simpler language, "Lamhe Bhar Ki Muskurahat Nahin/ Zindagi Bhar Ki Hansi De Mujhe (Don't give me a temporary smile/ Give me a permanent grin). Reading Hanfi is a mental exercise. He's meant for the cerebral readers and those who prefer serious poetry over the frivolous one. Jise Padhna Ho Mujhe, Waqt Le Kar Padhe/ Main Ek Jhalak Ka Shayar Nahin (Those who want to read my poetry, do take time/ My poetry is not to be read cursorily). I agree with you, Hanafi Saheb. Your contemplative poetry requires intense concentration and patience. Caviar to the general, one cannot read and enjoy his layered poetry in a cavalry manner. ---- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URl: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/muzaffar-hanfi-contemplative-poet/d/132048 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism