The Enigmatic Nomad

Don't we all often stereotype people into a pre-defined category? There are book worms, tomboys, extroverts, introverts and many more. But is there a particular way of defining an enigma? With a cigarette in one hand, mind bustling with brilliant poetry and a smile that could humble the world, this poet won many hearts.

The Ghalib of Gujarat, Mareez; Image Source- Wikipedia

Whenever one talks of poetry and shayari, the name Ghalib lights up like a bulb, and the fans instantly sigh in the richness of his poetry. Today, we shall read about another literary scion of Ghalib, who sadly gained recognition after he departed from this earth.

Abbas Abdul Ali Vasi was born to Abdul Ali and Amatullah Vasi from the Dawoodi Bohra community in Surat, Gujarat. Abbas was not the kind of child his parents had expected him to be. His mind could not restrict itself to the mundane routine of schooling and therefore quit after studying till the second grade. His father was a teacher and did not expect such a turn of events.

You might be wondering what fascinated little Abbas so much that he quit school? The answer to your question is at the railway station. Yes, you got it right. Abbas would slip unnoticed from the school ground to the Surat Railway Station to admire and study the working of engines. To him, trains were the ultimate source of fascination and enigma.

While trains occupied his interest, his passion blossomed in poetry. Abbas spent hours listening to his elder sister Rukhaiya recite verses of Marasiyas (elegiac poems) by Urdu poets, namely Anis and Dabeer. The poetry of his literary predecessors slowly became an integral part of Abbas's life. So much so that he started penning down poems at the young age of 14.

He was a frequent visitor of Zhapa Bazar, famous for its discussion group of Urdu and Gujarati Ghazal writers. Abbas would diligently listen to their words and carve them gently on his soul. Zhapa Bazar brought him to the legendary Ghazal writer, Ameen Azad. Abbas was so impressed by him that he declared Azad as his Ustad or mentor.

The teacher-student duo formed a special relationship, which indeed enlightened Abbas. It was Azad who bestowed Abbas with the name, Mareez (which means a sick man).

From here on, the literary career of Mareez grew new wings. His Ghazals, Shayari, Nazm and every other form of poetry was at their zenith. His first publication was Aagman in 1975, which sadly did not gain much recognition.

Apart from being a prolific writer, Abbas remained financially unstable all his life. He worked in a shoe factory in Mumbai, which was not enough to keep him afloat. It was one of the reasons why the marriage proposal to his cousin was rejected. Disheartened by the incident, Abbas started working as a journalist. He wrote and published a plethora of magazines while simultaneously editing the work of other writers.

It was not until 1960 that Abbas was able to strengthen his financial situation. Things started looking up after he became the editor of the weekly journal Insaaf of his community, Dawoodi Bohra. Alas! Fate played poor Abbas when he was detected with tuberculosis soon after.

A ray of hope showered on Abbas with the publication of Dard in 1966. The book caused an uproar in the literary sphere.

For the upcoming two years, he confined himself within the walls of his home. One day he was hit by an autorickshaw in front of his house, which damaged his legs significantly. Despite surviving risky surgeries, Abbas succumbed to a heart attack on the very same day of 19 October 1983.

His death left a permanent impact on his fans and other writers. Nakshaa was his second collection of poetry which was published posthumously in 1984.

His writings on a later discovery granted him the title of Ghalib of Gujarat. Sadly, such a great poet had to die for him to get due recognition for his contribution to the literary canon of India. His glorifying words shall always be imprinted on the literary memory.