غزل
بہت دنوں سے نہیں اپنے درمیاں وہ شخص
اُداس کر کے ہمیں چل دیا کہاں وہ شخص
وہ جس کے نقشِ قدم سے چراغ جلتے تھے
جلے چراغ ۔۔ تو خود بن گیا دھواں وہ شخص
قریب تھا تو کہا ہم نے سنگ دل بھی اسے
ہوا جو دور ۔۔ تو لگتا ہے جانِ جاں وہ شخص
اس ایک شخص میں ۔۔ تھیں دلربائیاں کیا کیا
ہزار لوگ ملیں گے ۔۔۔ مگر کہاں وہ شخص
وہ اس کا حسنِ دل آرا ۔۔ کہ چپ گناہ لگے
جو بے زباں تھے انہیں دے گیا زباں وہ شخص
یہ اس لئے کہ چمن کی فضا ۔۔ اداس نہ ہو
رہا ہے قیدِ قفس میں بھی نغمہ خواں وہ شخص
چھپا لیا جسے ۔۔۔ پت جھڑ کر زرد پتوں نے
ابھی تلک ہے ۔۔ بہاروں پہ حکمراں وہ شخص
ہمیں تو پیاس کے ۔۔ صحرا میں گنگناتے ہوئے
دکھائی دیتا ہے ۔۔ اک بحرِ بیکراں وہ شخص
قتیلؔ ۔۔ کیسے بھلائیں ہم اہلِ درد اسے
دلوں میں چھوڑ گیا اپنی داستاں وہ شخص
Qateel Shifai: The Poetic Maestro of Love and Longing
In the illustrious realm of Urdu poetry, Qateel Shifai stands as a towering figure whose verses continue to captivate and enchant audiences with their depth of emotion, lyrical beauty, and timeless relevance. Born as Muhammad Aurangzeb in 1919 in British India, Qateel Shifai's journey as a poet traversed the landscapes of love, longing, and the human condition, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of generations of readers.
Qateel Shifai's poetic oeuvre is characterized by its exquisite craftsmanship, poignant imagery, and profound insights into the complexities of human relationships. His verses, often imbued with a sense of melancholy and yearning, resonate with the universal themes of love, separation, and the quest for meaning in life. Through his poetry, Qateel Shifai effortlessly weaves together the threads of emotion, memory, and imagination, creating a tapestry of beauty and longing that transcends the boundaries of time and space.
One of the hallmarks of Qateel Shifai's poetry is his mastery of ghazal—a poetic form characterized by its intricate rhyme scheme, evocative imagery, and themes of love, loss, and longing. His ghazals, with their soul-stirring lyrics and haunting melodies, have been immortalized in the voices of legendary singers such as Mehdi Hassan, Ghulam Ali, and Jagjit Singh, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest ghazal poets of the 20th century.
Qateel Shifai's poetry is also known for its accessibility and universality, appealing to readers from all walks of life with its simplicity, sincerity, and emotional depth. Whether exploring the pain of unrequited love, the fleeting beauty of youth, or the timeless allure of nature, his verses strike a chord with the human heart, speaking directly to the joys and sorrows that define the human experience.
Moreover, Qateel Shifai's poetic genius extended beyond the realm of Urdu poetry, encompassing a wide range of literary genres and forms. He was a prolific songwriter for the Indian film industry, penning lyrics for some of the most iconic songs in Urdu and Hindi cinema. His collaborations with legendary composers such as Naushad, Madan Mohan, and Khayyam yielded timeless classics that continue to enchant audiences to this day, further solidifying his reputation as a master wordsmith and lyricist.
In addition to his contributions to literature and film, Qateel Shifai was also a passionate advocate for social justice and equality, using his poetry as a tool for raising awareness about pressing issues such as poverty, oppression, and the plight of the marginalized. His commitment to social activism, coupled with his unwavering dedication to his craft, earned him the admiration and respect of colleagues, contemporaries, and fans alike.
In conclusion, Qateel Shifai's legacy as a poet, lyricist, and social visionary continues to shine brightly in the annals of Urdu literature and beyond. Through his evocative poetry, he captured the essence of love, longing, and the human condition, leaving behind a treasure trove of verses that continue to inspire, uplift, and resonate with audiences around the world. As we celebrate his life and work, let us honor his memory by embracing the timeless beauty and profound wisdom of Qateel Shifai's poetic legacy.
