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The romantic side of a revolutionary poet

J. S. Ifthekhar

Saatyaki brings out a volume of unpublished ghazals

Hyderabad: The discovery of a new dish does more for human happiness than the discovery of a new star. Perhaps one can say this about poetry too. It will sure be music to the ears to know that a new work of the city's favourite poet has come to light. Hold your breath -- you can now relish hitherto unpublished verses of Makhdoom Mohiuddin.

What's more, in the poet's own handwriting. Simply incredible. But a volume of his ghazals titled "Chupa Makhdoom" has already hit the stands. Publishing a volume of verse, it is said, is like dropping a rose petal down the Grand Canyon and waiting for the echo.

Saatyaki has done just this by bringing out some of the unpublished works of Makdhoom. The book also reveals the romantic side of the bard, known largely as a revolutionary poet.

Abhi na raat ke gesu khule hain, na dil mehka

Kaho naseem-e-sahr se, tehr tehr ke chale

Mile to bichde huye maikade ke dar per mile

Na aaj chand hi doobe, na aaj raat dhale

That's Makhdoom at his lyrical best. The book contains 30 ghazals penned in his own hand. At the end of each poem the poet has scrawled his signature and put the date. A collector's issue, a memorabilia connoisseurs of poetry will love to cherish.

Laced with a rich embroidery of symbols and metaphors, the verses speak of passion, pathos, betrayal and undying love.

Aap ki yaad aati rahi raat bhar

Chasm-e-nam muskrati rahi raat bhar

Raat bhar dard ki shama jalti rahi

Gham ki lau thar-tharati rahi raat bhar

As a revolutionary poet, Makhdoom has left an indelible mark on the emotions of succeeding generation. He started his poetic journey in 1933 with shayeri of "gul-o-bulbul" but soon gave it up and turned to serious poetry which mirrored the harsh realities of life.

Coming three decades after his death, this new book with romantic overtones leaves readers bemused.

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