Rooted in reality, he spoke his mind
The Tribune [
Delhi
]
Chandigarh
Jan 21, 2024 | Page No.: 5 | Supplement: Spectrum | Position: Top Right | Source: Sanjiv Saraf | Sq Cm: 323 | AVE: 404374 | PR Value: 2021870
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Rooted in reality he spoke his mind SANJIV SARAF IMET Munawwar bhai at a few Jashn-e-Rekhta events A humble man rooted in reality his magnetic charisma as a shaya r unfolded abundantly in 7TilidlaiTOS where he was a popular figure because of his hold on the audience s pulse He not only Aimed the stage but the audience as well 1952-2024 Munawwar bhai could get them immersed in his magic in no time because poetry was not just an intel- Renowned poet lectual exercise for him It was truly Munawwar Rana heartfelt and emotional And that reflected in his renditions which who died recently were straight from the heart and instantaneously reached the audi- wrote in Urdu and ences heart and they would get Hindi He is perhaps moved to tears Munawwar himself would get teary-eyed his voice would the only Urdu poet choke while reciting his poems Most of the time this connect did who made mother not remain limited to mushairas his muse He would form life-long bonds with many in the audience There are many in his huge circle of friends never cared for money Many poets whom he met at such events We of less stature would charge t10 have a common friend based in lakh to t15 lakh for participating in Dubai who met him 30 years back Tlittshairas but Mu nawwar bhai nev- at a mashaint in Delhi but has er demanded any money become family now I remember once an organiser did- Munawwarwrote in Urdu and Hin- n t have the budget to invite him di Awudhi in simple easy-to-under- When Munawwar got to know about stand language although his works it he called him and said he would have been translated into many lan- not take any money I3ass ghar bola guages All his works have a beauti- ke Haleem ke chawal khila dens ful blend of these two languages and That was Munawwar bhai touched a chord with the masses His transport business was also not In the literary fraternity everyone doing well Because of this he was acknowledges Munawwar s unique short of funds in his final days but contribution to Urdu poetry often never asked anyone for anything known to eulogise the marsh okra He never forgot a favour or his beloved He is perhaps the only friends In his final days when he Urdu poet who made mother his was on a ventilator some friends muse His collection Mad is widely recorded a message for him His appreciated among his contempo- daughter told later that they could raries as well as readers It is not just sense some movement in his eyes a tribute to all mothers but also talks Even in an unconscious state he about family values and traditions remembered his friends Rooted in social realities his Munawwar bhai was also quite poetry was all about the common outspoken and courageous He man but exposed society s spoke what he saw and felt This hypocrisy as well honesty and raw courage also Wisi ko ghar mild hiAT mein yaa reflected in his shayari Because of koidukkan aayee this he would get into trouble with Mein mime ehhotta than mere hive authorities but that never deterred mein maa aayee him He even returned his Sahitya Munawwar wrote extensively In Akademi Award to protest the grow- 2014 he was honoured with the ing religious intolerance in India Jnanpith Award as well as the Not just his fans M unawwar bhai Sahitya Akademi Award for Shand- was equally loved and respected by aba though his seminal work on his contemporaries which included Partition figuliajirnarna remains many well-known names like Nida one of his most read and loved Rah and Rahat Indori works My personal favourite is Javed Akhtar sahib was also a Safed Jangali Kabootar huge admirer of his shayari and Not just his poetry his every persona He even went to Lucknow action was straight from the heart to pay his last respects to When his daughter got married the Munawwar bhai Javed bhai called invitation that was sent out in his his death a big loss for Urdu poet- mother s name had these lines ry and culture His emotional trib- Muammar ki beti ki sheath hai ute expressed the immense loss felt Vbdai ki ghadi bath ninshkil ki ghadi by his friends and the entire literary hogi Doston ka saath retina bahut community zaroori hai The writer is the founder To know him was an honour He of Relhla Foundation was a very dear-hearted man and As told to Rena SudSinha