Sajjad Baqar Rizvi: A Self-Effacing Lecturer-Poet-Critic

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 13 August 2024 Years ago, while struggling to understand Benedict Spinoza's philosophy and ideas on god in English and Dutch as I was weak at both the tongues, a friendly Muslim professor in England gave me a booklet in Urdu that explained Spinoza's philosophy in a simple language. It was written by Sajjad Baqar Rizvi. Born in 1928 at Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, Sajjad Baqar Rizvi did his school and college from Allahabad before migrating to Pakistan in October 1947. Sajjad started his career from Islamia College as lecturer in English and later joined Oriental College Lahore as a lecturer in Urdu. His important publications include Taisha-i-Lafz and Joo-I-Maani (Poetry Collection), Tahzeeb-O-Takhleeq, Maghrib Kay Tanqeedi Usool, Vazahatain, Maroozat, Batein and Classiki Urdu Shairi Mein Tanz-O-Mazah (Literary criticism), Jadeed Ameriki Novel Nigar, Dastan-I-Mughliya, Uftadgan-I-Khak, Hazrat Bilal, Badalti Duniya Kay Taqazey and Spinoza (Translations). He died on August 13, 1993. I must thank Rekhta for introducing this poet to the lovers of Urdu poetry. Yet, many couplets and nearly 20-odd Ghazals written by Sajjad Rizvi are either lost forever or unavailable on all platforms. I also never found any reference to his friendship with Faheem Nagpuri, who died at Nagpur Railway station unsung and unclaimed. By the way, Faheem wrote a Ghazal, Ae Meri Jaane-Tamanna, Meri Jaane-Ghazal/ Log Toofaan Utha Denge Mere Saath Na Chal sung by Rafi as a non-filmi Ghazal. It's also unavailable. If anyone has ever listened to this Ghazal, please let me know. Coming back to Sajjad Rizvi and his Urdu poetry, one must say that he was a very perceptive poet who could write with a sense of justifiable pride, "Humare Dam Se Hai Raushan Dayaar-E-Fikr-o-Sukhan/ Humare Baad Ye Galiyaan Dhuaan-Dhuaan Hongi" (The province of thinking and poetry is enriched because of people like us/ Alleys will be smoky after we're no more). This reminds me of Ahmednagar's forgotten poet Salaam Ahmednagri's famous couplet, "Humeen Hain Jo Raat Ke Kashkol Mein/ Roshni Ki Bheek Daale Jayenge" (We'll continue to pour the alms of light into the bowl of nightly darkness). A Pakistani Urdu writer Ratan Munshi wrote Sajjad Rizvi had a string of heartbreaks. So, his early poetry had elements of doubts in love. He quoted Rizvi's couplet, "Jab Bhi Koi Muskurata Hai Dekh Ke Mujhe/ Yaqeen Karna Mushkil Ho Jaata Hai Mere Liye" (Whenever someone looks at me and smiles/ It becomes difficult for me to believe) or this one, " Zindagi Ne Jul Pe Jul Diye/ Meri Jaan Ab Tu Bhi De " (Life has deceived me so often/ Now it's your turn to deceive me). Sajjad Rizvi was perhaps the only critic who profusely resorted to Urdu couplets written by the masters to ram home his point. "Jyon Asha'ar Maine Ustaadon Ke Chune/ Kabhi Koi Sher Mere Bhi Yoon Hi Chunega" (The way I picked the couplets of old masters/ One day, someone will pick my couplets as well). Yes, there's no doubting that one day, your couplets will also be cherry-picked by the future poets, critics, writers and scholars to drive home their points. ----- Sajjad Baqar Rizvi left the world on August 13. ------ 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/sajjad-baqar-rizvi-lecturer-poet-critic/d/132927 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