LAHORE: Notwithstanding his lofty position in poetry, philosophy, and pre-Partition politics, Dr. Muhammad Iqbal is seldom given his due in public debate. This is also clear from the session lineups at the yearly festivals held in Lahore and other locations where Iqbal is rarely mentioned.

On the 10th edition of the Lahore Literary Festival, the poetics of Iqbal came under discussion by panellists Syed Nomanul Haq and Athar Masood with moderator Shariq Khan.

“The poetics of Iqbal are at such a height that when one transitions to Iqbal from contemporary poets, Iqbal’s poetry is just Niagara Fall, and other poets are like dip, dip in front of him,” said Mr Haq opening the discussion.

“Iqbal that used to be around during our childhood time is diminishing gradually. Iqbal used to be on TV, radio and other media means; he used to be in sounds around us, on the bookshelf of every house, and in our daily discussions, but not anymore.”

Mr Masood said until a few decades ago, Iqbal was a household name, besides textbooks he was everywhere, and a child would learn his rhymes even before going to school. He reminded the audience that the study of Iqbal used to be a 100-mark subject in colleges. He said unfortunately Iqbal was used as commodity by certain quarters.

“Now, discussing Iqbal entails a stigma, as those discussing him are tagged as ‘backward’,” said Mr Haq.

At this, the moderator stepped in.

“But those having this mindset are mistaken; Iqbal can rescue us of the aesthetic crisis, which we’re facing now,” said Shariq Khan, citing Ahmed Javed.

Mr Haq said that Iqbal is one such rare treasure who is respected across all spectrums – leftists, rightists, socialists, communists, and so on.

“Poet Jaun Elia, the ultra-leftist, used to cry while reciting Iqbal, while Dr Hassan Arif said he can see and feel the power of Iqbal’s poetry,” he said, adding Iqbal held high respect in Persian and Arabic literature as well.

Iqbal can be celebrated for several reasons, but the most important among them is the beauty of his poetry.

“The poetics of Iqbal is great; Saqi Farooqi called Iqbal’s poetry a world of grandeur,” said Mr Haq, while Mr Masood said that other than his poetic heights, Iqbal stands tall in philosophy, Europe exposure, correspondence, history and politics.

“Iqbal’s active period is 1905 to 1935 when he stood a great personality of United India and the Muslim world,” Mr Masood said.

Iqbal wrote poetry not just as a matter of writing poetry; he documented history.

“Iqbal when taking up historical incidents in his poems, he looks like an expert historian. Not only historical events, he tries discussing the top personalities of the time,” Mr Haq said, reciting verses of Iqbal on Karl Marks that “all you have are crafts, but we need bread.”

Mr Masood also cited Iqbal’s poems on historical incidents and personalities, saying he only did not narrate history, but dissected it with a strong opinion and reading him brings about a new experience to readers.

As Iqbal’s poetic skills were the topic of the session, the discussion drifted toward Iqbal’s grip on the meter, correct use of words, and pronunciation.

“Poetry is fun and can be learned; similarly, Iqbal spent sleepless nights mastering the fun,” Mr. Masood said, reading his several verses where the correct pronunciation of a certain word keeps the recitation flowing.

Mr Haq said it was unbelievable that a Sialkot-born Iqbal mastered Urdu, English, Persian and Arabic. He said while discussing about Iqbal’s language, once ace satirist Mushtaq Yousufi called him a ‘freak’. “Sir, you’re a great man of your time, and you can call him so but to me, Iqbal is a miracle.” Of course, Iqbal is a miracle but, Mr Masood said, certain elements have used Iqbal as a commodity for their vested interest.

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2023