Gushing Over Daagh Dehlvi's Sublime Poetry
By
Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
17 March
2023
“Saath Shokhi
Ke Kuchh Hijaab Bhi Hai
Iss Ada Ka Kahin Javaab Bhi Hai”
-Daagh
Dehlvi
Sabaq Aisa
Padha Diya Tu Ne
Dil Se
Sab Kuchh Bhula Diya Tu Ne
-Daagh
Dehlvi
Urdu Hai
Jis Ka Naam Humeen Jaante Hain Daagh/ Hindustaan Mein Dhoom Humari Zabaan Ki
Hai (We realize the
importance of Urdu, O Daagh/ for, our language is being celebrated all over
India). English poet, essayist and critic William Hazlitt (1778-1830) defined
poetry as, ' Words arranged in a way to convey a whole rainbow of meanings.' He
further added that when a language is used to the optimum to express something
in a soulful manner, it becomes poetry.
Daagh Dehlvi's entire oeuvre illustrates what
Hazlitt meant. Urdu itself is an exquisite language. In fact, it's meant for
poetry and Daagh poetically exploited this lovely language to the hilt and
created a huge corpus of works consisting of sixteen thousand couplets and a Masnavi.
It's often said that a mountain of words may also contain rocks, pebbles and
boulders. But there're no rough and corrugated edges in Daagh's works.
All his
four volumes show a kind of a uniformity in the exalted standards of language,
thoughts and grammar. Daagh belonged to the old school of poetry. In other
words, he was a Rewayati (traditional) poet in the mould of Mir, Ghalib,
Momin and ' Sauda'. He was the last of classical poets. Predominantly a
romantic poet, Daagh's poetry celebrates romance in its myriad hues and shades.
His deft
handling of Urdu language and its idioms and phrases made him a masterly poet: Hazaron
Kaam Muhabbat Mein Hain Maze Ke ' Daagh' / Jo Log Kuchh Nahin Karte Kamaal
Karte Hain. This second line (Misra-E-Saani) is now more of a
proverb in Urdu language. Lovers with a poetic bent of mind often quote this
couplet of Daagh: Milate Ho Usi Ko Khaak Mein Jo Dil Se Milta Hai/ Meri Jaan
Chahne Wala Badi Mushkil Se Milta Hai. Daagh Could Be Delectably Naughty In His
Poetry When He Wrote, “Iss Nahin Ka Koi Ilaaj Nahin/ Roz Kahte Hain Aap Aaj
Nahin.”
He could be
playfully didactic at times: Aashiqi Se Milega Ai Zahid/ Bandagi Se Khuda
Nahin Milta. Daagh Was Also A Very Practical Man Who Realized Quite Early In
Life That: Hazaar Baar Maanga Karo Toh Kya Haasil/ Dua Wahi Hai Jo Dil Se
Nikalti Hai. So Very True! Cognoscenti Of Urdu Poetry Often Quote Daagh's Famous
Couplet: Saaqia Tishnagi Ki Taab Nahin/ Zahar De De Agar Sharaab Nahin. His
moral, rather practical, advice is ever-relevant: Zid Har Ik Baat Par Nahin
Achchhi/ Dost Ki Dost Maan Lete Hain. Daagh is one of the most quoted of
Urdu poets because of the simplicity of language. He never resorted to
Persian-laden Urdu, despite knowing the language very well.
On this
count, he was quite different from Ghalib as the latter had a habit of writing
his poetry in heavily Persianised Urdu. Daagh avoided convoluted and contrived
linguistic gymnastics. He was also trained in calligraphy and horse riding and
was a teetotaller. Daagh will always be remembered for his sublimely beautiful
poetry.
-----
March 17
is Daagh Dehlvi's Death Anniversary
------
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/islamic-personalities/daagh-dehlvi-sublime-poetry/d/129335
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