Critical Analysis Of "Wo Mujhe Sai Poucheti Hai kun Gullon Pe Titliyan Bethen" (She asks me why butterflies sit on flowers) by Mudassar Fadal Mujeeb

      "Wo Mujhe Sai Poucheti Hai Kun Gullon Pe Titliyan Bethen" (She Asks Me Why Butterflies Sit on Flowers) by Mudassar Fadal Mujeeb is a remarkable piece from the book Tum Hi Meri Tamanna Ho (You Are My Desire), published by Takhleeqat, Lahore. This romantic poem introduces readers to an innovative genre of poetry called the Dialogue Free-verse Ghazal. Unlike traditional ghazals, this form features 5, 7, or 11 couplets, each resembling a dialogue between two individuals. Though not widely embraced yet, this genre holds immense potential, offering a fresh and creative way to explore and express emotions. As history teaches us, change is the only constant, even in the arts. While people may initially resist new forms, groundbreaking ideas often reshape perceptions.

In this blog, we’ll explore a new horizon in Urdu poetry, Dialogue Free-Verse Ghazal while delving into Mudassar Fadal Mujeeb’s work to uncover the promise of the Dialogue Free-verse Ghazal and explore how it redefines the boundaries of poetic expression. 

Original Urdu Version:

وہ مجھ سے پوچھتی ہے کیوں گلوں پہ تتلیاں بیٹھیں

کہا ہم جیسوں کو بس پیار کا اک درس دینے کو

وہ مجھ سے پوچھتی ہے تتلیوں کے رنگ کیسے ہیں

کہا میں نے کہ جا کر آئینے کے روبرو دیکھو

وہ مجھ سے پوچھتی ہے کیوں فضائیں گنگناتی ہیں

کہا ہے پیار کرنے والوں کو پرکیف کرنے کو

وہ مجھ سے پوچھتی ہے کیوں پرندے شور کرتے ہیں

کہا ان سے کوئی بچھڑا ہے اس کا بین کرتے ہیں

وہ مجھ سے پوچھتی ہے کہ محبت میں ہے نقصاں کیا

کہا جس سے محبت ہو، نہ اس سے تم کبھی ملنا

Translation: 

She asks me why butterflies sit on flowers,
I said, "To teach those like us a lesson of love."

She asks me about the colors of butterflies,
I said, "Go stand before a mirror and see for yourself."

She asks me why the winds hum melodies,
I said, "To bring joy to those who love."

She asks me why birds cry out so loud,
I said, "Someone has been parted from them, and they mourn."

She asks me what the harm is in love,
I said, "The one you love—never meeting them."

Critical Analysis of Poem:

This poem uses a dialogue format to explore deep emotional truths, weaving together themes of love, nature, self-reflection, and loss. The poet crafts a tender interplay between the inquisitive "she" and the reflective speaker, creating a layered and thought-provoking piece.

1. Structure and Form

The poem follows a question-and-answer pattern, which gives it a conversational tone. Each couplet begins with a question posed by "she" and ends with the speaker's metaphorical or philosophical response. This structure mirrors the inner workings of curiosity and introspection, drawing the reader into a dynamic exchange.

2. Themes

• Nature and Love: The poet links natural elements—flowers, butterflies, winds, and birds—to human emotions, particularly love. This connection highlights how nature becomes a silent teacher, offering lessons in beauty, transience, and connection.
• Self-Reflection: The second couplet directs the questioner to look in the mirror, suggesting that understanding beauty or depth often begins with introspection.
• Sorrow and Separation: The fourth couplet poignantly conveys the sorrow of separation through birds’ cries, reflecting the universal pain of loss in love.
• The Paradox of Love: The last couplet captures the bittersweet essence of love—its joys and its costs. The advice, "The one you love—never meeting them," encapsulates the ultimate vulnerability of love: its power to fulfill yet devastate.

3. Imagery and Symbolism

The poem uses rich imagery to evoke emotional resonance:

• Butterflies on Flowers: Symbolizing fleeting beauty and the transience of love, the butterfly teaches the lesson of cherishing moments of connection.
• Mirror: A metaphor for self-awareness, urging one to recognize their own beauty or truth.
• Melodious Winds: A symbol of joy, reminding us of love’s ability to elevate and transform.
• Crying Birds: Representing grief, they anchor the poem in the reality of loss and longing.

4. Philosophical Undertones

The speaker’s responses are imbued with a philosophical depth, offering universal insights:

• Love is both a teacher and a test, urging growth while exposing vulnerabilities.
• Joy and sorrow are intertwined in the human experience, as highlighted by the winds and birds.
• True understanding comes from looking within, as emphasized by the mirror metaphor.

5. Emotional Tone

The poem balances tenderness, curiosity, and melancholy. The speaker’s responses reflect a mature understanding of love’s complexities, while the questions convey the innocence and wonder of discovery. This contrast deepens the emotional impact.

6. Universal Appeal

By framing love’s joys and sorrows within everyday observations of nature, the poem speaks to universal human experiences. It invites readers to see themselves in the dialogue, making the emotions relatable and impactful.

7. Critical Reflection

While the poem beautifully intertwines nature and emotion, one might critique its reliance on metaphor. For some readers, the lack of directness could obscure the depth of its insights. Additionally, the advice in the final couplet—though poignant—may feel overly cynical to those who view love as inherently fulfilling despite its risks.

Conclusion

This poem is a masterful exploration of love’s multifaceted nature. Its use of dialogue, vivid imagery, and philosophical depth makes it both accessible and profound. By grounding its themes in nature, the poet reminds us of love’s universality and its power to teach, uplift, and wound. It is a delicate yet potent meditation on the beauty and pain of human connection.

Mudassar Fadal Mujeeb’s "Wo Mujhe Sai Poucheti Hai Kun Gullon Pe Titliyan Bethen" is a poetic masterpiece that not only explores the depths of love but also introduces an innovative genre, the Dialogue Free-verse Ghazal. Through its conversational tone, vivid imagery, and philosophical reflections, the poem bridges the gap between human emotions and the natural world.

This work redefines the boundaries of traditional poetry by presenting love as both a transformative and challenging force. The dialogue between the inquisitive "she" and the reflective speaker offers insights into themes of beauty, self-awareness, sorrow, and the bittersweet realities of love.

As we reflect on the poem's subtle yet profound exploration of human connection, it becomes evident that this genre has the potential to inspire a new wave of poetic expression. By embracing such innovative approaches, poetry continues to evolve, reminding us that change, even in the arts, is a powerful constant. This poem is a testament to creativity’s ability to reshape perceptions and connect deeply with the human soul.