Asad Jafri

Early life

Asad Jafri was born in Darya Khan (Bhakkar) to Ghulam Hussain Jafri, a school teacher. When Asad was five years old, his father migrated to Vehari. Asad completed his school education in Vehari and later graduated from Government Emerson College Multan. He was appointed as headmaster of Municipal Committee (M.C.) High School Bhakkar in 1961 where he served as the head of school till 1985. Thereafter he was appointed as District Education Officer in Bhakkar, a position in which he served till 1990.

Poetic Journey

Asad Jafri started writing verses in his school and college days. As a school student he wrote a 'boatman's song' for a film. His earlier poetry was romantic (Palkon pe ruk gia hai samandar khumaar ka/ Kitna ajab nasha hai teray intezar ka), but later he started writing ghazals about the bitter realities of life (Misaal apni tau hai uss darakht ki ke jissay/ Laga jo sang tau badley mein phal giranay laga) or (Ye haqiqat meray dushman par na abtak khul saki/ Zarb ki quat jo gul mein hai wo pathar mein nahi). Initially, his romantic couplets and poems were published in prestigious and popular magazines like "Nairang-e-Khayal", "Adb-e-Lateef", Zer-e-Lab" and "Qindeel". These poems were noticed by the literary circles in 1950s and 1960s. Meanwhile, Asad Jafri got the privilege of conducting as compere All Pakistan Poetry Recitals (Mushaairas). During these recital sessions Asad got an opportunity to interact with the poetic stalwarts like Faiz Ahmad Faiz. The poetry of Asad Jafri has several influences including those of Josh Malihabadi, Faiz Ahmad Faiz and Ahmad Faraz. Later in 1970, the harsh realities of life prompted Asad Jafri to move from melancholic ghazals to humorous poems on everyday subjects. His first choice was familiar characters, neighbors and friends. His poem "Mughal ki Car" became very popular, though he wrote hilarious poems on a broken TV of a neighbor, a quarrelsome female neighbor, advice to a friend not to marry, elegy on the death of a pet rooster, husband's lament before his wife etc. These humorous poems though originally written for the entertainment of a few close acquaintances came to be known later as literary masterpieces. In addition to ghazals and poems, Asad Jafri has penned several songs for films which have been sung by eminent vocalists in South Asia. Noted singers including Jaswinder Singh and Richa Sharma have lent their voices to his songs Dil Mein Sama Ke Aapne and Zara Mujhe Sanbhalna. In 1990s his song Dil Ko Roka Hai was sung by Sohrab Khan for Lollywood movie Anjaam. Asad has also written "sahras" (poems celebrating happiness of bride-groom) and "rukhsaties" (poems depicting sentiments of brides leaving their parents' homes) read out at wedding ceremonies.

A collection of humorous poems published in Lahore under the title "Nawadrat-e-Sukhan" included famous humorous poems of Asad Jafri. Subsequently, Asad's literary pieces were discovered by Dr. Anwar Sadeed in his book "Urdu Adab Ki Tahreekain"who included him in the syllabus of Punjab University for students of Masters in Urdu Literature. A few students have done their Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) on the poetry of Asad Jafri in his lifetime.

Asad's poetry in the eyes of critics

Asad Jafri's literary work attracted notice of the critics in 1990s whereas he was writing poetry since 1950s. The major reason for this has been his residence in a city far away from the literary hubs of the country including Lahore and Karachi. On his part Asad did not try to reach out to wider audience at the national level. In 1990s he was discovered by Dr. Anwar Sadeed who included Asad in poets of quality work in Urdu literature. Dr. Anwar Sadeed in his book "Urdu Adab Ki Mukhtasar Tareekh" (Brief History of Urdu Literature) included Asad in the list of poets of "pure humour" and termed Asad's poems as 'kamyaab' (of rare quality). Later literary giants like renowned essayist and critic Wazir Agha who wrote a book Adab Mein Tanz-o-Mazah, and renowned Urdu poet Iftikhar Arif in his preface to 'Tera Hansna Qayamat Hai" has appreciated Asad Jafri's poetry as "a valuable addition to Urdu humorous poetry" terming Asad Jafri as "a poet of smiling thoughts". Introducing Jafri's book ''Tera Hansna Qayamat Hai'' Dr. Wazir Agha wrote that Asad Jafri has successfully used words "to expose inequalities in the society''. Dr. Agha has in particular highlighted Jafri's techniques to create humour including parody, wit, irony and paradox. Anwar Masood in his book Shaakh-e-Tabassum has given references to the humorous poetry of Asad Jafri. During his meeting with the leading Urdu humorist in prose Mushtaq Yusufi in Karachi in August 2016, the latter admired Asad's poems and quartets.

Literary Publications

Popular Humorous Poems