Dimensions of Urdu Poetry

By Asad Asrar
"Every age has its own poetry; in every age the circumstances of history choose a nation, a race, a class to take up the torch by creating situations that can be expressed or transcended only through poetry. "
Jean-Paul Sartre
Urdu is a centuries old language. The soldiers invented it yet it has a royal touch, for the royals took special interest in developing it. Experiencing the different dimensions of Urdu poetry is a phenomenal experience, for it is so rich in culture, diction, ideas, and expression.
This article explores five significant dimensions of the Urdu poetry.
1. Love and romance
No language or its literature can survive with the sweet love stories. Without romance, love, sensitivity, and fantasy, life would become too dull to live. When it comes to Urdu poetry, the love ballads are narrated at their best. Some famous romantic Urdu poets are Akhtar Shirani, Sager Siddique, and Ahmed Faraz.
Some early Urdu poets also wrote about stubborn, unconvinced lovers. Such poets include Mir Taqi Mir, Hasrat Mohani, and Mir Dard.
2. Social Issues
Many sensitive individuals highlighted several different poignant social issues through their poetry. These geniuses include Allama Iqbal, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Habib Jalib, Sahir Ludhyanwi and many others. These poets used their poetry to condemn dictatorship, the Fall of Dhaka, and the injustice in the society.
For example, a verse of Allama Iqbal says,
"Jis khet se kisan ko mayasir ho na rozi
Us khet k her khosa e gandum ko jala do"
3. Fight for freedom
The fight for freedom too was fueled by the Urdu poetry. Along with many others, Allama Iqbal played a great role in it. It is no wonder that he is the national poet of Pakistan. Allama Iqbal was famous for he made the Muslims realize their lost glory and to fight against the outsiders in their land.
4. Religion
Urdu poetry has a specific form called Marsia. A Marsia is a poem to express grief on the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A), his disciples and his family. Mir Anees was one of the most famous Marsia writers. Other than the Marsia, Urdu poetry is also defined by a vast collection of Hamd and Naat.
Other than this, many poets tried their best to highlight the aspects of incorporating religion into life through their poetry.
5. Ethics and morals
Many Urdu poets put a strong emphasis on the ethical values and morals among the humanity. Akbar Illahbadi and Maulana Hali are two prominent poets of this domain. Another one is none other than Allama Iqbal. For example, Allama Iqbal once said,
"Sabaq phir parh sadaqat ka, adalat ka, shujahat ka
Liya jay ga tuj sey kaam duniya ki immamat ka"
There are many other verses in the Urdu poetry in which truthfulness, honesty, courage and lawfulness is stressed.
The above-mentioned five dimensions of the Urdu poetry have shaped it to what it is today. It can be safely stated that Urdu poetry is standing on strong foundations today. If the poets of today are as brilliant as yesterday, nothing can stop Urdu from flourishing.

Asad have keen interest in urdu poetry and Urdu literature. Asad have read many books on Urdu literature which forced him to continue studying and exploring Urdu. Feel free to contact Asad at asad_asrar@yahoo.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Asad_Asrar

How Allama Iqbal Led the Decisive Reformation of the Oppressed Muslims:

By Asad Asrar

Although in the times of the British, the Muslims of the Indian sub-continent were ruined in every possible meaning and aspect of the word. However, there is one thing that confirmed the good fate and fortune of the Muslims vividly. The Indian Muslims were privileged enough to have a genius called Iqbal among them.
He was one of the best things that can happen to the Muslims of those times. In fact, this statement is true for the Muslim of all times. What Allama Iqbal took up and performed successfully was not an easy task. The Muslims of the sub-continent of those times were doomed in all walks of life. They were a hopeless community with no education, no respectable jobs, no enlightenment, and with no promise. This article implores and explores how Allama Iqbal brought big changes in the state of the Muslims of those times.

• Allama Iqbal was a credible genius
Like some other prominent personalities of that time, l did not self-proclaim anything. He was a credible genius. He was exceptionally qualified for his times. He had a PhD degree. Other than that, he had travelled to different destinations of the world. He also had the title of 'Sir'.
• Allama Iqbal's poetry in Urdu and Persian was eye-opening
He wrote prose too. However, it was his Urdu and Persian poetry that reached to the masses. In those times, Urdu was the language that was widely spoken and understood among Muslims, so Iqbal used it as a medium of his expression. Iqbal's Urdu poetry almost had revelation-like properties. It stirred the sedated sate of Muslims like never before. Almost all of his Urdu poetry was very well received.
• Allama Iqbal was respected in different circles alike
He was a dynamic personality. He was not respected among the Urdu speakers only but among the whole subcontinent. Even the British used to respect him. One of the pivotal reasons that the British understood the rights of the Muslim community is that they used to listen to and respected the views of Allama Iqbal.
• Allama Iqbal carried out the reform with hope and patience
The reformation or reconstruction usually takes a lot of time. Allama Iqbal was aware of this fact. He never seemed to be trying to hurry things up and at the same time, he never lost hope. For example, in one of his Urdu verse Iqbal says, "nahi hai na-umeed Iqbal apni kisht-e-veeran se Zara nam ho to ye mitti Bari zerkhaiz hai saqi" It is very hard to achieve such a balance of hope, patience, and effort; however, Allama Iqbal did that, and the Muslims reaped benefits. Many people think that it was the Urdu poetry of Iqbal, which awakened the Muslims. While this is true, but a more appropriate statement is that, it was Iqbal's personality, poetry, and efforts that awakened the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent. Allama Iqbal's thoughts, philosophy, and work will keep him alive for the centuries to come.

Asad have keen interest in Urdu poetry and Urdu literature. Asad have read many books on Urdu literature which forced him to continue studying and exploring Urdu. Feel free to contact Asad at asad_asrar@yahoo.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Asad_Asrar

Allama Iqbal:

ALLAMA IQBAL

Mard e Musalmaan: (ALLAMA IQBAL)

ALLAM IQBAL (A TRUE REVOLUTIONARY POET)

                      JAWAB E SHIKWA

Mai ne us se Yeh kaha! (HABIB JALIB)

Habib jalib:

Jaag Merey Punjab, Jaag Merey Punjab! (HABIB JALIB)

Sar e Mimber Wo khwabon k Mehal taameer karte hyn! (HABIB JALIB)