THE party, which was already a servant of Bushra Bibi’s household, seemed to have been struck by an earthquake when she opened her mouth after assuming the leadership of PTI. Some labelled it a suicide attack, while others called it a conspiracy to destroy Pakistan-Saudi relations. It reminded me of Dr. Inaam-ul-Haq Javed, an exceptional poet of Urdu and Punjabi. Known for his satirical poetry to the point of infamy, Dr. Javed, when publishing his Punjabi anthology Nawan Bushka, felt compelled to clarify on the cover that it contained serious poetry.
The distinction between serious and satirical poetry, whether it needs elaboration or not, is an important one that can open up new horizons of thought. However, that is not the focus today. Instead, I want to highlight a Boli (a short Punjabi poetic form) by Dr. Inaam-ul-Haq Javed that came to mind after hearing the infamous statement, “Who have you brought here?” The Boli goes: “Zara uth ke khallo Billiye Asaan tera qad vekhna.” (Stand up for a moment, dear, let us measure your height.)
Boli is an ancient genre of Punjabi poetry in which the poet conveys an entire story in one n half or two lines. Unfortunately, Punjabi poetry has been somewhat neglected and it is often thought that Punjabi poets, even the greats, did not venture beyond themes of love and beauty. A famous example often cited in the context of Boli is attributed to the creator of Pakistan’s national anthem, Hafeez Jullundhri: “Gori naha ke chhapar choon nikli, Te sulfay di luttwargi.” (The fair maiden emerged from the pond, her locks like streaks of lightning.)
Sometimes, certain labels obscure other aspects of an individual or a topic. This seems to have happened with Boli as well. However, a glance at the works of classical Punjabi poets reveals that they addressed a broad range of themes, from resistance against oppressive colonial powers to social and societal issues. As Baba Bulleh Shah famously said: “Uth jaag gharaaray maar nahi, Aeh soon tere darkar nahi.” (Awake and rise; snoring is not your need, nor is sleep.)
Baba Bulleh Shah was a lifelong advocate against tyranny and consistently called on his contemporaries to fight against oppression rather than accept it as fate. His poetry remains a timeless voice against political, social and sectarian injustice, echoing the struggles of humanity across eras.
Great poetry transcends its time, capturing the anguish of an era in a way that resonates through ages. Baba Bulleh Shah epitomizes this, as his works continue to speak to modern times. If a poet’s work lacks this universality, it risks being forgotten, erased from memory.
Munir Niazi, too, is an exemplar of deep passion and romantic fervour in poetry. However, reducing his work to mere romanticism undermines its true depth. He encapsulated Pakistan’s socio-political struggles in poignant words, as seen in his Boli: “Do puttar anaraan de Aapne dukh nai mukde, dukh keeh wandiye yaraan de.” (Two pomegranate seeds—our sorrows don’t end; how can we even share them with friends?) This Boli masterfully portrays the chronic affliction of economic inequality, which undermines empathy and cooperation in society. Dr. Inaam-ul-Haq Javed’s Boliyan continue this rich tradition, addressing contemporary dilemmas.
In any language or literary form, the motif of a “tall beauty” often emerges, symbolizing more than just physical stature. Poetry delves into allegories, so what appears to be about a worldly beloved often transforms into a metaphor for the divine. Dr. Javed’s Boli draws attention to one of the greatest tragedies of our time—the prevalence of short-sighted individuals.
Short-sighted leaders wreak havoc wherever they are, but when they enter politics, they can devastate nations. They create disasters like the 5th August 2019 debacle in Kashmir or undermine transformative projects like CPEC. Self-absorbed leaders, consumed by their egos, jeopardize relationships with steadfast allies like Saudi Arabia, leaving nations to grapple with the fallout. The damage done to Pakistan’s political legacy—once led by visionaries like Quaid-e-Azam, Liaqat Ali Khan, Maulana Maudodi, Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto—is summed up in Dr. Javed’s ironic Boli: “Zara uth ke khallo Billiye, Asaan tera qad vekhna.” (Stand up for a moment, dear, let us measure your height.)
Dr. Inaam-ul-Haq Javed’s Nawan Bushka is not limited to Boliyan reflecting contemporary struggles. It also includes Mahiye, Tappay, poems and thought-provoking ghazals. Today’s column is dedicated to his work and the countless suffering souls of Pakistan, plagued by the mediocrity and arrogance of their leaders.
—This writer is former advisor to the president of Pakistan, author & mass media theorist.
(farooq.adilbhuta@gmail,com)
