was one of the original voices of contemporary Urdu poetry. My five favourite couplets of Jaun:
The thought expressed in this couplet is very common. With careful play of words, Jaun has managed to convey the same thought refreshingly.
usko yaksar bhulaa diyaa phir se
yaanii baat kii hu’ii kar lii(yaksar : completely)
I like this couplet because it presents a poignant emotion sincerely.
tujh ko bhuulaa nahiiN vo shaKhs ke jo
terii baaNhoN meN bhii akelaa thaa(shaKhs : person; baaNheN : arms)
The Quran says that when Allah built this world, He said ‘kun faya kun‘ i.e. ‘so be it, and it was done’. Jaun has taken that Quranic injunction and used it amazingly.
haasil-e-kun hai ye jahaan-e-Kharaab
ye hii mumkin thaa intii ujlat meN(jahaan-e-Kharaab : ruined world; mumkin : possible; ujlat : haste)
This may be called a representative Jaun couplet.
kis se izhaar-e-mudd’aa kiije
aap milte nahiiN haiN, kyaa kiije !(izhaar : to say; mudd’aa : desire, issue)
This couplet is marvellous in its construction. The first line is simple to the point of being mundane. Imagine it being read in a Mushaira, the expectations of the audience would already be down after hearing the line. What is to follow, some same-old-thought about unconsolable heart, long tearful nights? No, Jaun surprises all with a totally contradictory second line.
bahut nazdiik aatii ja rahii ho
bichhaRne kaa iraadaa kar liyaa kyaa?(nazdiik : close; iraadaa : decision)
