An evening with Faiz Ahmad Faiz, with Shubha Mudgal's dramatic voice playing the medium. Can one ask for more?
Mudgal began her tribute to the revolutionary poet with Jashn ka din hai, Junoon ki yaad manao. Delivered in her powerful voice, the words of Faiz reverberated through the auditorium at Nehru Memorial Museum and Library. Her rendition of his poems stirred the audience, which included veterans on Faiz like Prof S.R Kidwai and those like me who are just beginning to be initiated into the works of the master of Urdu poetry.
Mudgal's voice brought him back to life 25 years after his death on November 20, 1984.
It was a journey of the discovery of an art form, a genre of thought, an era long past, but which still retains a relevance for the present that is fast dissipating into an abyss of hopelessness and despair.
Hum dekhenge, wo din ke jiska wada hai,
Jo lau-e azal par likha hai...
It's the message of hope in the face of adversity, of love in the face of hatred and peace in the face of war.
Mudgal confessed to her lack of Urdu talim, and her 'bhakti' for Faiz saab. But that is the magic of Faiz, isn't it? It draws you out of your inhibitions at not knowing a language and gradually leads you into a a magical journey of exploring something new at every step.
The beauty and cadence of his words weave a web that intoxicates the listener, leading him on to a revolution, a cause and much more.
That is the magic I have found in Faiz, and am still looking for more, to fulfil my desire to drink his poetry to the lees.
May his words give wing to hope wherever there is darkness, and courage wherever there is fear and conviction wherever there is indecision.
Raqt-e-dil bandh lo, dil figaro chalo
Phir hamin qatl ho ayen yaron chalo
Aj bazaar mein pa bajaula chalo
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