'Like Ghalib, Yagana's poetry is also a spectacle of surprise'

New Delhi: Despite denying Ghalib's greatness, Yagana has benefited from Ghalib at every step in his poetic universe. A careful study of his poetry shows that he was not only influenced by Ghalib's complex narrative but also tried to adopt the metaphysical dimension of Ghalib's poetry.

In the case of Ghalib, an incomprehensible conflict of rejection and acceptance is seen here. As much as he is seen rejecting Ghalib in his writings, he has an attitude of accepting Ghalib step by step. Although he did not have Ghalib's intelligence, his understanding and the awareness of Ghalib's use of words, there is a lot of Ghalib in him.

These views were expressed by Professor Anees Ashfaq while delivering the keynote address of the two-day national seminar ‘Yegana: Personality, Poetry and Criticism’ organized by the Ghalib Institute on May 8. The seminar was inaugurated by renowned Persian scholar Professor Sharif Hussain Qasmi.

In his inaugural speech, he said that Yegana’s poetry presents a different style in Urdu. "His confidence in individuality and reliance on personal experience is a positive attitude. He is always in search of new sensibilities, new ways of expression and new styles of expression. Instead of being confined to the bitter experiences that Yegana went through, there is a need to study his poetry in the light of new discussions. I am happy that the Ghalib Institute has taken the initiative in this direction."

The meeting was chaired by Professor Siddiq-ur-Rehman Kidwai, Secretary of the Ghalib Institute. In his presidential speech, he said that Yegana’s poetry has a tone of individual freedom and self-reliance that gives a new thought to Urdu ghazal.

"He is sometimes seen challenging traditional poetry. His poetry is less complicated and more suitable for direct speech. Today's keynote address has convinced me that in the papers that will be presented tomorrow, there will also be an attempt to explore the unfamiliar aspects of Yegana's poetry."

Introductory remarks were made by Professor Sarwarul Huda, who said that Yegana is the most important poet of Urdu and everyone is aware of his importance, but no notable seminar has been organised regarding him so far.

"I am happy that Ghalib Institute has paid attention to this and invited important people to read papers."

Ghalib Institute Director, Idrees Ahmed expressed his gratitude and said that active and versatile personalities like Yegana are an important event in history.

"They have left their mark of individuality in every field of poetry, criticism and journalism. It has become a norm to call Yegana an egoist, an egoist and an autocrat. But he is not an egoist but a traditionalist, he is not an autocrat, but a traveller on the path of self-awareness."

Tags : Ghalib Institute, Urdu, Poetry, Yegana, Delhi