Exponent of a tradition

IQBAL UMAR is a poet of Lucknowi tradition whose sensibilities have been sharpened by his urbanised background. This collection of his poems is commendable both for its flavour as well as for its sharp commentary on our contemporary times. His work spans from the Luknavi romanticism to terse observations on everyday reality.

Iqbal Umar has in fact negated the general impression that Urdu poetry is mostly love-lorn. Note a couplet that says: "There is enough pessimism in our homes; but it would be a relief if the homes around mine have their lamps burning through the night". Or another couplet: "Life in our home is of such a hue, as if some bought up people are populating the dream houses". Or this one: "This failing of mine has put me to shame - that I had no links with the wealthy and mighty of the town".

And here is a mix of the old romanticism with the modern critical observation: "I have not seen such impatience even in the hearts of the pining lovers, as I see now from the banks of Gomti down to the banks of Jamuna".

Iqbal's father, Janaab Umar Ansari, who has not chosen to leave his home ground, Lucknow, for greener pastures, is one of the distinguished poets of the region called Avadh. Iqbal thus inherits both the culture of his home town, Lucknow, of his distinguished family, the sensibilities of his father's times as well as his own. He is a bridge between the tradition and modernity that has much to offer to us by way of newer thoughts and figures of speech his poetry excels in.

R. S. YADAV

Zameen-e-Sher, (Urdu), Iqbal Umar, Haya Publishing House, Delhi, Rs. 150.

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