ISLAMABAD, Nov 7: Kiyun (why) is Shahzad Sharjeel’s first collection of ghazals, a form he uses with dexterity to explore themes that traditionally fall outside the ambit of this genre. Not that his verse is devoid of romance and lyricism that he amalgamates with the personal and the societal issues taking ghazal into a new dimension.

His verse:

Bas Aik Dagh Pay Kiyun Iktifa Karein Ushaq

Hamara Dil Hey Kisi Sheikh Ki Jabeen Tau Nahin

(Why should we lovers be content with only one blemish? /Our heart is not a pious man’s forehead) is an example of how nuanced yet socially relevant his expression is.

In the preface to his book, Sharjeel has dealt with the question of how and why he started writing poetry and how among the masters, giants like Ghalib and Iqbal and among more contemporary poets Faiz, Faraz, Munir, Zaidi, Amjad, Parveen, Elia and many others have kept him Makhmoor-o-Masroor (intoxicated and happy) all his life.

Hafizah Ghalib-o-Iqbal Ka Hey Parvardah

Apney Ash’ar Ko Azbar Nahin Honey Deta

(Memory sustained by Ghalib and Iqbal/Does not allow retaining my own verses) is how he usually responds to a request for reciting his poetry.

Kiyun will soon be launched in Islamabad and Karachi. Sharjeel, a former staff member of Dawn, works with an international organisation in Islamabad.