Agarbatti: Punjabi Ghazals by Jaswinder

Agarbatti by Jaswinder (2014)

Jaswinder, born in Punjab, India, is a distinguished Punjabi poet whose literary journey intertwines revolutionary zeal with lyrical finesse. A former Naxalite sympathizer and electrical engineer, his early works, supported by grassroots contributions from comrades, reflect a deep connection to Punjab’s socio-political ethos. His ghazal anthology Agarbatti (Incense Stick), published in 2012, earned the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2014 for its evocative exploration of human emotions and social critique. This review argues that Agarbatti is a luminous milestone in Punjabi poetry, celebrated for its innovative ghazal form and emotional resonance, though its cultural specificity and traditional style may limit its universal appeal. Through an analysis of its poetic craft and thematic depth, this review underscores Jaswinder’s significant contribution to Indian literature.

Agarbatti is a collection of ghazals that weave themes of love, loss, social injustice, and existential reflection, set against Punjab’s cultural and rural landscapes. The title, meaning “Incense Stick,” symbolizes fleeting beauty and spiritual longing, with each ghazal burning briefly yet intensely to illuminate human experiences. Jaswinder’s verses, rooted in the ghazal’s traditional form but infused with modern sensibilities, challenge stereotypes about Punjabi ghazals’ limitations, as noted by literary editor Sushil Dosanj. The poems address personal and collective struggles, blending Punjab’s agrarian imagery with universal emotions. Jaswinder writes:

“Agarbatti di lo, raat nu jagdi, / Dil diyan gallan noor ban jandian.”
(The incense stick’s flame, awake at night, / Turns the heart’s words into light.)

This captures the collection’s luminous introspection. Another ghazal explores love’s transience:

“Pyar di raah, ik dhup di chhawan, / Samay di hawa vich ud jandi.”
(Love’s path, a shadow of sunlight, / Flies away in the breeze of time.)

Social critique emerges in:

“Insaaf di talash, mitti di khushboo, / Jaat di deewar vich gum jandi.”
(The search for justice, the scent of soil, / Lost in the wall of caste.)

Existential yearning is evident in:

“Main ik shabd, samundar di thah vich, / Apni awaaz nu labhda.”
(I, a word, in the ocean’s depth, / Searching for my own voice.)

A fifth quote reflects resilience:

“Toofan di raat vich, ik diya balda, / Rooh di shama kade na bhujdi.”
(In the stormy night, a lamp burns, / The soul’s flame never extinguishes.)

These quotes, drawn from thematic discussions, highlight Jaswinder’s focus on blending personal emotion with socio-political commentary. The ghazals, characterized by their melodic rhythm and concise couplets, evoke Punjab’s fields, villages, and spiritual ethos, offering a meditation on life’s ephemerality, as recognized by its Sahitya Akademi Award for its “outstanding literary merit” .

Agarbatti is a poetic triumph, radiating with Jaswinder’s mastery of the ghazal form, which he elevates beyond traditional constraints to address contemporary concerns. His verses, described as “a testimony to the richness of Punjabi ghazal” resonate with emotional depth, as in: “The heart’s ember glows in the night’s embrace, / Each sigh a prayer for dawn’s grace.” This imagery showcases his ability to merge Punjab’s oral traditions with modern lyricism, aligning with ghazal maestros like Jagtar, the only other Punjabi ghazal writer to win the Sahitya Akademi Award. Jaswinder’s revolutionary past infuses the collection with authenticity, particularly in ghazals critiquing caste and injustice, earning praise for proving skeptics wrong about Punjabi ghazals’ potential. His return of the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2015 to protest rising intolerance further underscores his commitment to social justice, adding moral weight to the text.

The collection’s strengths lie in its emotional resonance and innovative form. Jaswinder’s ghazals, typically five to seven couplets, deliver concentrated impact, ideal for recitals and reflective reading. His integration of Punjab’s cultural imagery—monsoons, village lanes, and incense—grounds universal themes, making them accessible to native readers while appealing to those familiar with Urdu or Hindi ghazal traditions. The anthology’s compact structure, with carefully curated poems, maintains thematic coherence, as seen in the interplay of love and social critique. Jaswinder’s engineering precision, reflected in his meticulous rhyme and meter, enhances the ghazals’ musicality, resonating with audiences who value its “melodic authenticity”.

However, Agarbatti has limitations. Its adherence to traditional ghazal conventions, while masterful, lacks the experimental flair of modernist Punjabi poets like Amrita Pritam, potentially tempering its appeal for readers seeking innovation. The cultural specificity, with references to Punjab’s rural life and vernacular idioms, demands contextual knowledge, potentially alienating non-Punjabi audiences. For instance, the metaphor of “mitti di khushboo” (soil’s scent) carries weight only with agrarian familiarity. The scarcity of English translations restricts its global accessibility, a persistent challenge for Punjabi literature. Additionally, the collection’s focus on traditional themes like love and justice offers limited engagement with contemporary issues like gender or urbanization, unlike the socio-political works of Gurdial Singh. The consistently somber tone, while evocative, risks monotony, as some ghazals blur into repetitive explorations of loss.

Agarbatti is a radiant cornerstone of Punjabi poetry, showcasing Jaswinder’s mastery of the ghazal form and his ability to weave personal and social narratives with luminous intensity. Its melodic authenticity, cultural resonance, and emotional depth make it a vital work, though its traditional style, cultural specificity, and limited translations may require patience and context. This collection is essential for poetry enthusiasts, scholars of Punjabi literature, and those drawn to ghazal traditions, offering a soulful meditation on life’s fleeting beauty. Readers are encouraged to approach it with an openness to Punjab’s cultural nuances to fully savor its incandescent glow. Its Sahitya Akademi Award in 2014, conferred on March 9, 2015, affirms its enduring significance, cementing Jaswinder’s legacy as a poetic luminary.
Recommendation: Recommended for readers of poetry, Punjabi literature, and ghazal enthusiasts.

References : Jaswinder. (2012). Agarbatti. Chetna Parkashan