HAIDER QURESHI--- THE ACTIVE VOLCANO OF LITERATURE

By: Sohail Ahmed Siddiqui

Founder Editor, Haiku International (Karachi)
He bows down in front of his dashing wife, saying:                                                                                                                          
Iste’aaray tou kuja, saamenay uss kay Haider
Shaairy aik taraf apni dhari rehti hai
[Not just metaphors, the entire poesy of mine
Is set aside when she is present.]
This is somewhat un-usual dedication of “Sulagtay Khaab”, the first collection of Ghazals by Haider Qureshi, the most active volcano of Urdu literature, found outside the Sub-continent, i.e. in Germany.                                                                                                   
The 54-year old established poet has published five anthologies of his poetry, containing Ghazals, Nazm, and Mahiya. His two collections of short stories, two collections of pen-sketches, one book of Inshaiya (light essays) and one travelogue of pilgrimage (Hajj) are more than enough to prove him a trend-setting prose-writer. His eleven already published anthologies and some more stuff have been gathered in the form of a single magazine-size book, “Umre-La’haasil ka haasil” (the outcome of futile life). It goes right on the top of ‘Kulliyat’ tradition.                                                                                                                                                           
 Haider Qureshi was born on January 13, 1952 in Chenab Nagar, Punjab. The Seraiki-speaking poet was fortunate enough to have adopted Urdu as a favourite subject, as the parents were behind it. His maternal uncle, Habibullah Sadique was the first poet in his family. Mr. Sadique, now a resident of USA, greatly impressed the little Haider by his melodious voice.                                             
The man of many talents had started rhyming practice while he was only a student of class IX. He dared knitted a romantic novel-like story when he was employed with Haiyee Sons Sugar Mills, right after matriculation in 1968. Later he did Masters in Urdu. He wrote his first Ghazal in 1971which appeared in Weekly Lahore, sometime in 1972. He recited his first Mushaaira in 1974, under the          auspices of Bazm-e-Fareed, Khanpur. He later laid down the foundation stone of “Halqa-e-Arbab-e-Zauque Khanpur” with Nazr       Khaleeque, A.K.Majed and Jameel Mohsin. Besides playing a dynamic role in regional literary activities he also participated actively in “Anjuman Insedaad-e- Shoera, Khanpur” to chase and un-cover the fake poets. He is still a deadly enemy of pseudo poets.                 
In 1978, he launched a literary journal, “Jadeed Adab”, at the cost of ornaments of his wife which he sold out one after another and continued the magazine until last of the jewels went to the goldsmith. However, he revived the journal from Germany, after a lapse of several years.                                                                                                                                                                                
A strong supporter of Mahiya in Urdu, Haider has gained not only friendship, but also enmity for his extraordinary missionary efforts. He is the pioneer of “Mahiya on correct meter” movement. To my surprise, he asked me to write an article in English on the history of Urdu Mahiya. With his full support, I was able to pen down “Mahiya – Language of Love”, published in Daily Dawn of April 25, 2004.
Haider’s entire poetry is a rich blend of traditional Urdu with local lingo. You can find numerous examples of his ‘lingual liberty’. He is perhaps the only living poet who deliberately uses old Punjabi dialect of Urdu in Ghazal.                                                                    
Miray hee khaab kunwaray naheen rahay ab tou
Keh aarzooein tiree bhee biyahiyaan na gaeen
[Not only my dreams are left virgin, but your wishes too, remain un-fulfilled.] 
 He believes in ‘Roe’be-Husn’, the stunning impact of beauty:                                                                                                                

Uss se aankhein chaar kernay ka kahan hai hausla
Jub wo apnay dhiyaan mein hou, tub usay tum dekhna
[Have no courage to look at her directly
Better gaze at her while she is lost in herself.]

 The poet Haider Qureshi is well aware of the fact that notoriety is the fate of love:

Diloun ke khel mein paansa palat ker reh gaya kaise
Humein baynaam houna tha, kisi ka naam houna tha. 
 [How tables have been turned in love affairs!
We had to become nobody, for someone had to become famous]
The dream viewer does have a complaint, too:                                                                                                                                  

Bhur ke aankhoun mein sulagtay khaab, uss ki yaad ke
Mujh ko soutay mein bhee Haider jaagta rakh’kha gaya
[Having filled my eyes with burning dreams of hers,
I was made awaken, even in the dreams.]

 However, he knows very well how dreams are valuable:

Aankh kis tarha khulay meri keh mein jaanta hoon
Aankh khultay hee sabhi khaab ujad jaatay hein
[How can I open my eyes, as I know that
All dreams get decayed when eyes are open.]

 When we try to seek for a new diction with novel use of old and much repeated words, phrases and metaphors, Haider never let us hopeless. See just one example of his coinage:

Katraaye wo kabhi tou kabhi mein jhijhak gaya
Ik bhee kanwal khila na hijaboun kee jheel mein
[She tried to avoid me sometime, so I showed reluctance as well
Not a single lotus bloomed in the “lake of modesty”]

 The patron of Urdu Mahiya and author of 5 research-based books on this genre has himself created a multi-colour rainbow. You may find a wide range of topics:

           1. Milna hou tou miltay hein                             They see each other, if they wish so
Phool mohabbat ke                                          The flowers of love
Pattjhar mein bhi khiltay hein                          Do bloom in autumn

2. Thay upni hee lehroun mein                         We enjoyed our mood
Umr guzari jou                                                Spent life
Punjab ke shehroun mein                                 In the cities of Punjab

3. Europe ka nageena hai                                 It is the gem of Europe
Ubhra hooa dekho                                           Let’s see the rise
Iss dharti ka seena hai                                    Of its soil
                       [Germany]
Haider looks somewhat different in his Nazm. He is fond of free verse. See what he says in the opening stanza of “Khala” (Vacuum):
Kabhi tum dil mein bustay thay
Tou aankhoun mein
Kaheen ander ….
Baharein muskrateen
Kehkashaaein ruqs kerti theen
Zameen-o-aasman mein
Aisi yaktaee ka alam tha
Khala kaisa?
[Once you lived in the heart
Then in the eyes
Somewhere inside….
Spring would smile
Galaxies would dance
Between earth & sky
There was harmony
Vacuum, but for what? 
 And now we have the closing stanza of his poem, “Chaand kee taskheer ke baad” (After the moon conquered):

Jub jaanta hoon dil tira hai path’tharoun ka dher
Phir aayena-e-rooh kiyoon takraoonga bhala
Acha hein tujh ko doorr se hee dekhta rahoon
Acha hai tujh ko doorr se hee souchta rahoon
[When I know your heart is a heap of stones
Why should I clash my ‘soul-mirror’ then?
It’s better to see you from distance
It’s better to think of you, from distance]
The use of simple words, avoidance of complexity and creating a unique environment are praise worthy. Be it Ghazal, Nazm or Mahiya, the locale id definitely visible in most of Haider’s poetry. 
 Haider is one of few selected Urdu poets whose poetry has been translated in to Arabic. Recently, an Iraqi has rendered translation of his poem for an Iraqi website.
The short story writing is yet another way of catharsis for Haider. He mixes the ordinary narrative style with symbolic or somewhat abstract art. One can see a galaxy of events, personal experiences and sharp observations in his two collections. Recently, an Indian writer has done English translations of his short stories. Hope to see the book appearing soon. 
 Pen-sketch is somewhat a favourite pastime, as he proves his skills more briskly than he does in short stories. He has re-collected all his sweet and bitter memories in memoirs, included in two volumes. “Meri mohabbatein”, his first anthology of pen-sketches is full of lively expressions, deep observations and sweet /sour memories. He openly admits his errors and blunders wherever they peep in to his flow of writing. 
Through his wonderful writing, we are able to see a true picture of innocent Mirza Adeeb (late) who once asked him to let him visit the romantic land of Cholistan and never said, “ Oh, I’m the author of Sehra Navard ke Khutoot. Don’t you tell me about its magic”. 
 An ever-ready Haider has contributed positively in the promotion of INSHAIYA, in Urdu. ‘Faaslay-Qurbatein’, his collection of Inshaiyas is full of interesting and impressive light essays on various topics. His careful treatment is simply commendable. He has also authored a book on Dr. Wazir Agha, the critic and patron of INSHAIYA. 
 Besides writing reportage, Haider endeavoured to continue writing as a journalist and penned a few thought provoking columns. His two books of journalistic writings are also out in the market. 
 Six books including a research-oriented thesis for MA have been published about the works of Haider Qureshi, besides 5 special H.Q. sections in esteemed literary journals. Above all, he is the greatest supporter of premier Urdu literary websites.
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