When Faiz Couldn't Get Dilip Kumar's Autograph...

Dilip Kumar is the undisputed king of acting, while Faiz Ahmed Faiz reigns supreme in the world of writing. When two such legendary personalities cross paths, the encounter often leaves behind a story that generations continue to talk about. And one such memorable story unfolded when Faiz was coming to India, and he was about to meet Dilip Kumar.

Faiz’s grandson recalls the incident like this: Faiz’s wife was a big fan of Dilip Kumar. Before Faiz left for India, she asked him if he could bring back a gift for her. Faiz, knowing her admiration for Dilip Kumar, asked if she wanted anything in particular from him. She replied, “Do you think you will meet Dilip Kumar?” To which Faiz responded, “Perhaps.”

Then she said, “If you do meet him, could you please get his autograph for me?”

Faiz, in his characteristic laid-back manner, replied, “If I meet him and remember, I will surely get his autograph for you.”

A few days later, when Faiz returned home, his wife eagerly asked, “Did you meet Dilip Kumar while you were there?”

Faiz replied, “Yes, I did.”

She then reminded him, “You remember, you promised to get his autograph for me if you met him, right?”

Faiz nodded, but when she asked if he had brought the autograph, Faiz responded with a surprising no.

Confused, she asked, “Why didn’t you bring it?”

Faiz smiled and said, “Well, he was asking me for my autograph, so how could I ask him for his?”

Faiz Ahmed Faiz was a renowned Punjabi poet, celebrated for blending revolutionary themes with a sense of romanticism in his work. Known for his progressive and modern approach to Urdu poetry, Faiz made significant contributions to the development of the genre. His poems and ghazals, full of passion and social consciousness, became an essential part of the modernist movement in Urdu literature.

Faiz was also nominated for the Nobel Prize, recognizing the global impact of his work. Some of his verses have become so iconic that they are now part of everyday speech, such as the famous line, "Aur bhi gham hain zamane mein mohabbat ke siwa" (There are other sorrows in the world besides love). His poetry continues to inspire and resonate with people across generations.

Here are some of Faiz Ahmed Faiz's famous verses in English:

Kab tak dil ki khair manayein, kab tak rah dikhlaoge,

Kab tak chain ki mohalat doge, kab tak yaad na aaooge?

Gar baazi ishq ki baazi hai, jo chaaho laga do dar kaisa,

Gar jeet gaye to kya kehna, haare bhi to baazi maat nahi.

Ik gul ke murjhaane par kya gulshan mein kohraam macha,

Ik chehra kumhla jaane se kitne dil naashaad hue.

Ab jo koi poohe bhi to, usse kya sharh-e-haalat karein,

Dil thame to dard sunaayein, dard thame to baat karein.

by Priyanka Yadav

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