Remembering Mustafa Zaidi: A Poetic Genius
Today marks the 53rd anniversary of the death of the renowned Pakistani poet and writer, Mustafa Zaidi. Born on October 10, 1929, in Allahabad, India, Zaidi was the son of Syed Lakht Hussain Zaidi, a senior officer in the CID. He graduated from Allahabad University and, at the young age of 18, published his first poetry collection titled Zanjirein (Chains). During this time, he wrote under the pen name Tegh Allahabadi.
The preface of Zanjirein was penned by the esteemed poet Firaq Gorakhpuri, who predicted the emergence of a significant poet in Zaidi. Although this prediction held some truth, his untimely death abruptly halted his poetic journey.
In his brief life of just 40 years, Mustafa Zaidi published six collections of poetry, including Zanjirein, Mauj-e-Mari Sadaf Sadaf, Shehar-e-Arzu, Koh-e-Nida, and Qabaye-Saz. His seventh collection, Koh Nida, was published posthumously.
Zaidi earned an MA in English from Government College, Lahore, in 1952 and later worked as a lecturer at Islamia College, Karachi, and Peshawar University. After successfully passing the CSP exam in 1954, he entered the civil service. The echoes of stifled freedom of thought resonate throughout his verses. One of his notable couplets reflects his discontent with the loss of his ascetic way of life:
“Jis din se apna tarz-e-faqeerana chhat gaya
Shahi to mil gayi dil-e-shahana chhat gaya.”
In 1956, after receiving training in England, he traveled throughout Europe and the Middle East. Upon returning, he served as an assistant commissioner in Sialkot, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Murree, and later held the position of Deputy Commissioner in various cities, including Jhelum, Nawabshah, Khairpur, Sahiwal, and Lahore. His excellent performance in the civil service earned him the Quaid-e-Azam Medal. In 1969, he was appointed Deputy Secretary for Basic Democracies, which became his last official position.
In December 1969, he was suspended from service and was dismissed in May 1970. It was said that he refused to accept a bribe from a corrupt officer, leading to his name being included in a list of 303 officers targeted by General Yahya Khan.
During this tumultuous time, he formed a friendship with a married woman from Gujranwala named Shehnaz Gul. Once he lost his job and power, she became indifferent towards him. His German wife, Vera, and children were in Germany, but he was prohibited from leaving the country, which plunged him into deep depression.
On October 12, 1970, Mustafa Zaidi’s lifeless body was discovered in his Karachi apartment. In another room, Shehnaz Gul was found unconscious and was arrested on suspicion. The case received extensive media coverage, sparking months of heated debate. The court ultimately ruled that it was not a murder but a suicide, acquitting Shehnaz Gul.
Zaidi’s poetry often reflected his profound emotions and turbulent experiences. One of his famous couplets resonates with the search for truth amidst deceit:
“Main kis ke haath pe apna lahu talash karun
Tamam sheher ne pehne hue hain dastane.”
Zaidi wrote many ghazals and poems dedicated to Shehnaz Gul, including a well-known verse:
“Fankaar khud nahin thi mere fan ki shareek thi
Woh rooh ke safar mein badan ki shareek thi.”
Mustafa Zaidi’s legacy continues to inspire poetry lovers and remains a significant part of Pakistan’s literary heritage. His life, though short, was filled with remarkable contributions to Urdu literature, and he is remembered as one of the country’s great literary figures.
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