Pakistan is going through a turbulent phase of political uncertainty and social unrest. The country is facing multiple crises, such as a fragile economy, a resurgent militancy, a polarized society, and a strained relationship with its neighbors. The political deadlock has paralyzed the functioning of the state institutions and the delivery of public services, leaving the common people in a state of despair and frustration.
In such a scenario, one can find a striking resemblance between the current political situation in Pakistan and the poetry of Ibn-e-Insha, one of the most celebrated Urdu poets and humorists of the 20th century. Ibn-e-Insha, whose real name was Sher Muhammad Khan, was born in 1927 in Phillaur, Punjab, India. He migrated to Pakistan after the partition of India in 1947 and worked in various government and UN services. He was also associated with the Progressive Writers Movement and wrote several travelogues, essays, and columns. He died of Hodgkin’s lymphoma in London in 1978.
Ibn-e-Insha’s poetry is known for its distinctive diction, which blends the classical and the colloquial, the refined and the rustic, the serious and the satirical. He used the language of the common people, often incorporating words and expressions from different dialects and regions of the subcontinent. He also employed various poetic forms, such as ghazal, nazm, qita, rubai, and geet, to convey his thoughts and feelings. His poetry reflects his keen observation of the society and the politics of his time, as well as his personal experiences and emotions. He was a poet of the people, who spoke for them and to them, with a sense of humor, irony, and compassion.
One of his most famous ghazals, Insha Ji Utthoo Ab Kooch Karo (Rise oh Insha Ji, and let us set off), is an influential classic that captures the mood of the nation in the aftermath of the 1971 war, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh and the loss of East Pakistan. The ghazal expresses the poet’s disillusionment with the political leadership and the establishment, who failed to prevent the tragedy and betrayed the trust of the people. The poet urges himself and his fellow citizens to rise from their slumber and apathy, and to take action to change the situation. He says:
Insha ji utthoo ab kooch karo
Is shahr mein ji ko lagana kya
Woh shehr hamara tha woh jo reh gaya
Ab us shahr ko goli maro
(Rise oh Insha Ji, and let us set off
What is the point of living in this city
That city was ours, the one that is left behind
Now shoot that city down)
The ghazal also reflects the poet’s nostalgia for his homeland, which he had to leave behind during the partition. He says:
Yeh basti hai to basne ka naam nahin
Dharti bhi kaanch ki hai aasmaan bhi pathar ka
Woh basti thi ke jis mein ji uthta tha
Ab us basti ko goli maro
(This is a settlement, but not worthy of living
The earth is made of glass, the sky is made of stone
That was a settlement, where life was uplifting
Now shoot that settlement down)
The ghazal resonates with the current political situation in Pakistan, where the people are disillusioned with the government and the establishment, who have failed to address the pressing issues of the country. The people are nostalgic for a better past, when the country was more united and prosperous. The ghazal also urges the people to wake up and take action, to change the status quo and to reclaim their rights and dignity.
Another ghazal by Ibn-e-Insha, Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi (It was the night of the full moon), is a romantic masterpiece that depicts the poet’s love for his beloved. The ghazal is full of metaphors and imagery, comparing the beloved’s face to the moon, the stars, and the flowers. The poet says:
Kal chaudhvin ki raat thi
Shab bhar raha charcha tera
Kuchh ne kaha ye chaand hai
Kuchh ne kaha chehra tera
(It was the night of the full moon
All night long, there was talk of you
Some said it was the moon
Some said it was your face)
The ghazal also expresses the poet’s longing and pain, as he is separated from his beloved. He says:
Hum bhi vahin maujood the
Hum se bhi sab poochha kiye
Hum has diye hum chup rahe
Manzoor tha parda tera
(I was also there
They also asked me everything
I smiled, I remained silent
I accepted your veil)
The ghazal can be seen as a metaphor for the current political situation in Pakistan, where the people are in love with the idea of democracy, but are separated from its reality. The people are talking about democracy, but are not sure what it is or how to achieve it. Some say it is the moon, some say it is your face. The people are also silent and passive, accepting the veil of the government and the establishment, who claim to be the custodians of democracy, but are not delivering on their promises.
Ibn-e-Insha’s poetry is a mirror of the current political situation in Pakistan, as well as a source of inspiration and guidance for the people. His poetry shows the people the reality of their situation, as well as the possibility of change. His poetry also appeals to the people’s emotions, as well as their intellect. His poetry is a voice of the people, as well as a voice for the people.