Pakistani and Indian poets attended an anniversary meeting of the Society of Urdu Literature, April 2017, Springfield, Virginia Credit: Umar John NEXT TV
Indian and Pakistani writers can help bring the two uneasy neighbors together for the cause of peace and prosperity in the region, Harish Chanddra Agrawal, a prominent Indian poet, says.
Agrawal is an acclaimed writer from Allahabad, India. He has eleven books to his credit including collections of poetry, short story collection and translations that includes poetry from Western poets and Pakistani historian Dr. K.K. Aziz’s “The Murder of History.”
Views and News had a conversation with him recently during his visit to the United States. He recently attended a meeting of the Society of Urdu Literature (SOUL) in Springfield, Virginia.
Nature is one of the themes in his writings but Agrawal’s take is unorthodox and different from many of the contemporary poets. He believes that like most of the writers he also loves Nature but “even in Veda nature is portrayed as a soft and beautiful thing, but to me nature also has to go through a struggle,” he says.
Agrawal recites his beautifully worded kavita “paiRh” (The Tree) in which he illustrates the scuffle of a tree for its survival.
Agrawal has written more Nazms (poems) than Ghazals as he stated that there is limitation of expression in Ghazals while free verse or Nazm is more expressive.
Agrawal does not see much difference between Urdu and Hindi languages except the script and few words.
Harish Chanddra Agrawal Photo: The poet’s personal file
The poet regards the contemporary literary scenario in India as nice but feels there is absence of towering figures.
“I did not see any big names just like in Urdu after Faiz and Faraz Urdu literature has not produced any big names as well.”
On deterioration of Urdu language in India Agrawal notes that the language is not linked to jobs and there are very limited Urdu readers in India, and it is a loss.
“ I have written it that leaving Urdu is just like losing one eye. If Tulsi Das and Sur Das are mine so are Ghalib, Mir and Nazeer, they have made great contribution to the Indian literature.”
Agrawal considers Ghalib the greatest poet in the world and praises Tagore for his mastery in writing, composing, and singing he was the only person in the world who has a sangeet on his name “Rabindra Sangeet,” he said.
When asked about his message and his focus on any issue, Agrawal said that there is a problem between Hindus and Muslims in India but writers always try to ease this communal feelings on both sides.
Agrawal also keeps a close eye on politics and fears there could be a conflict between India and Pakistan in 2018 as Indian elections are in 2019 . Several political parties use anti Pakistan sentiment to win the elections, “this is their trump card,” he added.
In order to defeat war hysteria and bring peace to South Asia, Agrawal suggests that the literary figures from both the countries should intensify their efforts. “The writers can help bring harmony between both countries with exchange of visits to each other’s cities.”
