Mohsin Zaidi: A Bureaucrat-Poet Par Excellence

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 10 July 2024 Mohsin Zaidi Was Born On July 10, 1935 ------ Jaan Kar Chup Hain Vagarna Hum Bhi Baat Karne Ka Hunar Jaante Hain Mohsin Zaidi (I keep mum intentionally, otherwise I also know the art of conversation) Ye Zulm Dekhiye Ki Gharon Mein Lagi Hai Aag Aur Hukm Hai Ki Makeen Nikal Kar Na Ghar Se Aaein Mohsin Zaidi (What a torture! Houses are burning but the inmates have been ordered to stay home) Libaas Badle Nahin Humne Mausamon Ki Tarah Ki Zeb-E-Tan Jo Kiya Ek Hi Labada Kiya (I've not changed apparels like the seasons / One set of clothes embellished my body) Har Shakhs Yahan Gumbad-E-Be-Dar Ki Tarah Hai Aavaaz Pe Aavaaz Do Sunta Nahin Koi (Every individual is like a dome sans pillars / Despite calling repeatedly, no one responds) Agar Chaman Ka Koi Dar Khula Bhi Mere Liya Samoom Ban Gayee Baad-E-Saba Bhi Mere Liye (If any door of the garden ever opened for me / Zephyr turned into a hot wind for me) The aforementioned couplets from the quill of Mohsin Zaidi underline the individual and existential realities of life. Mohsin Zaidi ------ Mentored by none other than Raghupati Sahay 'Firaq' Gorakhpur, Mohsin was a progressive poet who didn't dwell too much on feminine effulgence and corporeal pulchritude. Nor did he wail in self-pity over union and separation. Mohsin wrote in his book of poetry, Mata-e-Aakhri Shab, "Abhi Auron Ke Aansoo Ponchhne Hain / Mere Ashk Toh Aasteen Ponchh Dete Hain" (I've to wipe out tears of others / My tears are wiped out by my sleeves). Mohsin Zaidi wrote in simple and unadorned language. Pakistani critic Faisal Rashid wrote about Mohsin's poetry, "Un Ki Shayari Mein Husn-E-Bewa Ki Sanjeedgi Hai" (His poetry has the seriousness of a widow's beauty), though I've always believed that Rashid's statement, rather analogy, is open to a plethora of interpretations because of its ambiguity as well as sexist tone. Mohsin Zaidi's poetry had a freshness of thought, intense feelings, and dexterity of expression. Mohsin wrote at a pretty young age, "Go Gul-O-Ghuncha-E-Firdaus Dekha Nahin Maine / Ek Gul Apni Jaanib Se Khila Diya Maine" (Though I've not seen the flowers and buds of Paradise / I've blossomed one flower from my end). Mohsin indeed bloomed flowers of his refined poetry and employed novel figures of speech. Though unembellished, his poetry is aesthetically beautiful and creatively meaningful. As an economist, he was economical with (lush) words and as a bureaucrat, his poetry had a streak and stamp of palpable dignity and decorum. Yet, he humbly wrote in his book of poetry, ' Baab-e-Sukhan': Yahi Haasil Kiya Le-De Kar / Shayari Likhi Mahaul Ka Dard Samajh Kar (It's precious little that I've achieved / I've penned poetry having empathised with the ethos and pathos of my surroundings). No, Mohsin Saheb. You achieved a lot as a poet and bureaucrat. My salutations to him. ----- 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://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/mohsin-zaidi-bureaucrat-poet/d/132668 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