It was the birth anniversary of Akbar Allahabadi, the master of satire and humour in Urdu poetry, on November 16th. I love Akbar Allahabadi’s wit and humour, and I believe Nehru is one of the tallest leaders the world has ever produced. A smaller reason, but it does matter to me, the poet’s name has Allahabad in it. The name cannot be bulldozed by even the most powerful person on earth.
Akbar Allahabadi was quoted by Jawaharlal Nehru during his imprisonment at Ahmednagar Fort.

Akbar Allahabadi’s humour is much deeper than just being funny. His approach is very secular; no one is singled out as the object of his satire.

He was a lawyer, yet his own community wasn’t spared from his unique sense of humour –

पैदा हुआ वकील तो शैतान ने कहा
लो आज हम भी साहिब-ए-औलाद हो गए

Paida hua vakeel to shaitan ne kaha
lo aaj ham bhi sahib-e-aulad ho gaye

(When the lawyer was born, the devil said, “Lo and behold, I too have become a father today)

He didn’t spare himself from his wit –

पूछा ‘अकबर’ है आदमी कैसा
हँस के बोले वो आदमी ही नहीं

Poocha ‘Akabar’ hai kaisa

Hans key bole wo aadmi hi nahi

(I asked what kind of man Akbar was. He laughed and replied, He is not even a man)

His romantic poetry is funny too-

इश्क़ नाज़ुक-मिज़ाज है बेहद
अक़्ल का बोझ उठा नहीं सकता

Ishq nazuk-mizaj hai behad
aql ka bojh utha nahin sakta

(Love is very delicate, and cannot bear the burden of reason)

His satire on politics is legendary-

क़ौम के ग़म में डिनर खाते हैं हुक्काम के साथ
रंज लीडर को बहुत है मगर आराम के साथ

Qaum ke ġham mein dinner khaate hain hukkam ke saath
ranj leader ko bahut hai magar aaram ke saath

(They dine with the rulers, crying over the community’s woes.
The leader is deeply saddened, but with comfort)

He was not scared to comment on religion-

मज़हबी बहस मैं ने की ही नहीं
फ़ालतू अक़्ल मुझ में थी ही नहीं

Mazhabi behas maine ki hi nahin
faltu aql mujh mein thi hi nahin

(I don’t have any unnecessary intelligence to spare on religious discussions)

Akbar Allahabadi passed away on September 9, 1921, nearly 100 years ago; his wit and humour remain relevant even today. He is Lisan-ul-Asr (Voice of the Times).

Akbar Allahabadi’s picture is from the internet. The other photos are by Prerna Jain.