25 years on: Remembering the people's poet, Habib Jalib
Jalibs fearlessness inspired him to pen daring poetry that portrayed the cruelty and inequality in the society. Photo: uddariart.wordpress.com
(Dunya News) – It has been 25 years since the revolutionary poet, Habib Jalib, passed away. But even in his death, he continues to challenge dictators and oppressors through words penned long ago.
Jalib’s fearlessness inspired him to write daring poetry that portrayed the cruelty and inequality in the society, and to date manages to reflect the same brutal images. It was this poetry of Jalib that introduced Urdu literature to innovative trends.
Born on March 24, 1928 as Habib Ahmed, he migrated to Pakistan after the partition in 1947. He took the pen name ‘Jalib’ to become Habib Jalib. His progressive and revolutionary poetry inspired many.
‘Main Nahin Maanta’ is one such work which resonates with people ages after it had been first recited by Jalib. From masses, for whom Jalib penned these words, to now politicians, who are seen using the same verse in political gatherings to rally people, his words still ignite hearts with ‘Main Nahin Maanta’ becoming nothing short of an anthem for the oppressed.
‘Sarr Muqtil’, ‘Zikr Behtay Khoon Ka’, ‘Iss Sheher e Kharabi Main’, and ‘Goshay Main Qafas Kay’ are some of Jalib’s works.
For more on this, watch a report by Dunya News below.
