An Ungrateful City neglects its icon Sahir Ludhianvi, a torch bearer of human rights

By Brij Bhushan Goyal

Sahir Ludhianvi had been an iconic Urdu poet and a popular lyricist for Bollywood’s Hindi Film industry who gave fame to the city by adding suffix Ludhiana in his pen name, thus putting the city on a pedestal which metaphorically and seemingly also gave  space to literary talent in this otherwise commercial city where people are on the run always. Sahir’s popular marriage songs "Ae Meri Zohra Jabeen" from Waqt (1965) and "Babul Ki Duayen Leti Ja" (Neel Kamal, 1968) are still sung. However, that aura of Ludhiana is missing now. 

Sahir started writing from the school days when he studied in Malwa Khalsa High School and many a Urdu loving teachers liked his poetry. At Government College, Ludhiana because of his forceful progressive poetry, students in the college remained glued to him. A city’s poet awarded by Padam Shri in the year was already specially honoured by his Alma Mater in the year 1970 when he came from Mumbai at college’s Golden Jubilee Celebration when an international Mushaira was also organised. College later also named its’s auditorium as Sahir Auditorium and its botanical garden "Gulistan-e-Sahir”. Alumni of the college and college never miss an opportunity to remember him on his birth and death anniversaries.

However, the poet has met step motherly treatment first in his own family by his aristocratic landlord father with multiple marriages, tortured Sahir’s mother and they were separated legally when Sahir chose her mother.

In the same way, this ungrateful city too gave step motherly treatment to him in the post-independence era. College Road was named Sahir Marg and an indicator was put in the Fountain Chowk which is no where now. The then Beant Singh Government promised to establish a Sahir Cultural Centre in Ludhiana and allocated some land, but that project stands disbanded. Certainly, this proves that Ludhianvis now have turned more of money minded than having and encouraging and appreciating the literary talent to see the birth of more of Sahir’s in the region. Library was established at Punjabi Bhawan in his name with MP Lad funds given by Padan Bhushan Late M S Gill Sahib ( also Govt. College Ludhiana student ) , but the library has no appropriate books on Sahir to lay hands on, which are otherwise in plenty .  

“Tu Na Hindu Banega Na Musselman Banega, Insaan Ki Aulad Hei Insaan Banega”, a very meaningful song was penned by him for the movie ‘Dhool Ka Phool’ (Year 1959) . The strong message against forces which created divisions in the society in the name of religion and caste is as relevant even today.

His non-film songs , ghazals and poetry also revealed his sorrow for the pitiable  state of the country

“..Hei Jinhen Sabse Jyada Dawa-ie -Hubbie Watan, Aaj Oon Ki Vajhah Se Hubbie Watan Rusba To Hei.. “ (Those who boast of the protectors of the nation are responsible for the disgrace and infame to the nation)

"Jaalam Ki Koi Jaat Na Majahb Na Koi Qoum" ( The tyrant has neither has a religion or a cast ) " Aur Ek Daur Ka Mjabh Naya Khuda Laya, Karein To Ham Vi Magar Kis Khuda Ki Baat Karien' (“Yet another God has been discovered by a new religion of the time, which God shall we believe in ”)

Jang Kiya Maslo Ka Hal Degi, Jamg To Khud Hi Ek Masla Hei ( War is no solution to peace, war itself is an issue to be resolved peacefully)

It is Sahir and none else who could dare write so meaningfully and forcefully .

City must do justice with Sahir Ludhianvi by naming the college road as Sahir Marg. State Govt. should give ample funds to his college where they can start research on his literary thought so that generations are inspiredfrom the depth of his poetry. It will be appropriate if poetry finds a place in text books too.

The Author is Organising Secretary , Alumni Association, SCD Government College, Ludhiana   and Prof Dr P D Gupta Vice President Alumni Association & Former Secretary -as a student- Sahir Writers Association in the Golden Jubilee year 1970.  

(Views are personal)