Jaun Elia: A Poet Who Hated Mediocrity

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam

8 November 2023

Sahna Padta Hai Unhin Logon Ko

Aksar Jin Ki Sohbat Takleef Deti Hai

(You've to live with those very people/ Whose company annoys you)

Jaun Elia, (Dec. 14, 1931- Nov. 8, 2002)

 

Poet Jaun Elia. | Zarvan Cyrus/CC BY-SA 4.0

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Kaun Iss Ghar Ki Dekh-Bhaal Kare

Roz Ek Cheez Toot Jaati Hai

Kya Sitam Hai Ke Ab Teri Soorat

Ghaur Karne Pe Yaad Aati Hai

Jaun Elia

(Who will look after this place? / Every day something or the other falls and breaks/ What an ironic torture! / Your face strikes when I rack my brains)

Yaad Use Intihai Karte Hain

So Hum Us Ki Burai Karte Hain

(I remember her fervidly/ So, I condemn her fervently)

This is Jaun Elia (Syed Hussain Jaun Asghar Naqvi). He passed away on November 8. Though poetry has no geographical barriers and Urdu poets from Pakistan are also equally liked and admired in India by their countless fans and connoisseurs, four Pakistani Urdu poets are extremely popular among the Indian readers and listeners of Urdu poetry. They're: Ahmad Faraz, Jaun Elia, Qateel Shifai and Parveen Shakir (not necessarily in that order). I've not mentioned Faiz Ahmad Faiz because in spite of his greatness, his appeal is of a different kind.

Jaun Elia had a very quaint and queer style of expression. This couplet will prove that: Meri Baahon Mein Bahakne Ki Saza Bhi Sun Le/ Ab Bahut Der Mein Aazaad Karoonga Tujh Ko (You better know your punishment of falling in my arms/ I'll not release you anytime soon) or this one: Naya Ik Rishta Paida Kyoon Karein Hum/ Bichhadna Hai Toh Jhagda Kyoon Karein Hum (Why should we create a new relationship? / When separation is ordained, why should we fight).

But if you're thinking that he wrote only on love, separation and union, you should ponder over this: Ab Nahin Koi Baat Khatre Ki/ Ab Sabhi Ko Sabhi Se Khatra Hai (There's nothing specifically dangerous/ Now we're all fearful of each other). So very true! Or this one, "Mustaqil Bolta Hi Rahta Hoon/ Kitna Khamosh Hoon Main Andar Se" (I keep talking/ I'm so silent from within). Albert Camus stated almost the same, " My words are at variance with the graveyard silence of my heart " (this was from Camus' unfinished manuscript; he died in a car mishap in 1960 before completing it).

An exceptionally brilliant and maverick poet, Jaun Elia remained in quest of an ideal all his life. Unable to find the ideal eventually, he became angry and frustrated. He felt, perhaps with reason, that he had squandered his talent. Yes, like all bohemian greats, Elia wasted his talent. "Bahut Kuchh Likha Jaana Tha/ Maut Ko Bhi Kya Abhi Aana Tha" (There was much to be written/ Alas, why did death arrive so soon).

Though he looked ostensibly okay, just a fortnight before his departure, Elia recited this couplet that had a ring of premonition to it. He once said with a little sense of resignation, "Jo Guzari Na Jaa Saki Hum Se/ Hum Ne Woh Zindagi Guzari Hai" (I lived life that was unliveable). His genius was his liability. He hated mediocrity but had to live with all mediocre people. That disillusioned and dejected him. He had a righteous sense of individuality and self-respect: 'Main Jo Hoon 'Jaun Elia' Hoon Janaab / Iss Ka Behad Lihaaz Keejiye' (I'm Jaun Elia/ Please remember that). The very first couplet of this tribute articulates his angst and annoyance.

All intellectuals and thinking minds can empathise with this couplet of Jaun Elia because overwhelmingly stifling mediocrity is often so unsettling for those who're talented and creative.

He was an agnostic who didn't have much faith in esoteric beliefs: 'Apna Rishta Zameen Se Hi Rakkho / Kuchh Nahin Aasman Mein Rakkha' (Stay grounded/ There's nothing up in the sky). Being a communist, Elia opposed the partition of India. However, he eventually migrated to Pakistan in 1957. By the way, Amroha-born Jaun Elia was Kamaal Amrohi's first cousin.

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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/jaun-elia-poet-mediocrity/d/131065

 

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