‘Poet Nida Fazli was surrounded in Pakistan’: Said- Are you calling the child bigger than Allah? Atul Gangwar told what was the answer

‘Main Nida’, a documentary on the life of late poet Nida Fazli, has received the ‘Best Arts and Culture Film’ award at the 72nd National Film Awards. Atul Gangwar, the producer of this documentary, remained very close to Nida Fazli for the last two and a half decades. He not only worked with him, but also observed his personal life, struggles, relationships and thinking very closely. In conversation with Dainik Bhaskar, Atul Gangwar shared Nida Fazli’s personal life, family settled in Pakistan, pain related to her father, her friendship with Jagjit Singh and many unheard stories of her life. Question: When did you first meet Nida Fazli? Answer: The first meeting took place in 1998. We were making a show called ‘Adabi Cocktail’ and its writer was Nida Sahab. During that time, he introduced us to Talat Aziz Sahab, Mukri Sahab (Mohammed Omar Mukri) and many big artists. From there our relationship started, which continued for years. Question: When did you finally feel that a documentary should be made on the life of Nida Fazli? Answer: While working with him, I realized that he was not only a great poet but also a great human being. Through him I met Johnny Walker, Tuntun, Hasan Kamal, Javed Siddiqui, Rakesh Bedi and many stalwarts. He gave me a perspective to look at life. Then it felt that his story should reach the coming generations. Question: A large part of Nida Fazli’s family had gone to Pakistan. Did he talk to you about this pain? Answer: He used to talk very little about this in private, but whatever had to be said, he used to say it in his poetry. After his father’s death, when he could not attend his funeral, he wrote the famous poem ‘I have not come to read Fatiha on your grave’. His entire pain is visible in it. Question: How did Nida Fazli remember her mother and father? Answer: For mother, he wrote – ‘Mother like sour chutney on gram flour roti.’ Even today, when you read his poem for his father, your eyes become moist, but in conversation he never lived in the past. His entire focus was on the present and future. Question: Is there any story related to Nida Fazli which is still remembered? Answer: Once I went to his house and his hand was hurt. I asked, “What happened?” Laughing, he said, “I was tired in Mushaira. I rested behind the stage thinking it was a tent. It turned out that there was nothing behind it and I fell straight down.” The biggest thing was that he could laugh openly at himself. Question: Any special incident related to Nida Fazli and Jagjit Singh that you still remember? Answer: Once I needed a recommendation letter for a girl. Nida Saheb called the airport. Jagjit Singh and KS Chitra were also present there. I had blank paper. Nida Saheb immediately wrote the recommendation with his own hand and got Jagjit Singh to sign it. His presence of mind and understanding were amazing. I remember one incident very well. I had a professor from Delhi University. Some documents of his niece had to be signed. A kind of appreciation for them that the girl sings very well. So I talked to Nida Saheb. He said, “I am coming to Delhi, so you come to meet me at the airport.” When I reached there, I saw that Jagjit Singh ji, Chitra ji and Nida Saheb were there. I told him, “Yes, I want that letter from you.” He said, “Bring it.” I brought the paper from a nearby counter. When he reached him, he said to Jagjit Singh ji, “Come on, sign it.” The paper was blank. Chitra ji was standing behind. When Jagjit Singh ji looked back, Chitra ji was looking at him saying, Brother, he is not signing on the blank paper. Signing on a blank paper is a big deal. Nida Saheb understood. He wrote an appreciation letter with his own hand and then got it signed by Jagjit Singh ji. Question: How was the friendship between Nida Fazli and Jagjit Singh? Answer: The relationship between the two was not only professional but also very personal. Jagjit Singh’s most popular album ‘Insight’ had ghazals written by Nida Saheb. Both of them often sat together. The harmonium would come out and new ghazals would be prepared sitting there. Question: Was there ever a funny argument between Nida Fazli and Jagjit Singh? Answer: Once an acquaintance of ours had to organize a show of Jagjit Singh. I told Nida Sahab that if you talk to him then perhaps the fees will be reduced. He laughed and said, “Don’t take my name. If you take my name, he will not give you a discount, on the contrary he will invite me to read for free in some Mushaira.” What happened later was that Jagjit Singh kept his fees in full, but got the entire show sponsored. That means there was no burden on the organizers. This was the friendship of both of them. Question: What was the biggest challenge in making the documentary? Answer: The biggest challenge was to compile years of memories and footage. The second challenge was that the film industry does not remember writers as much as it remembers actors or directors. But the people who really knew Nida Saheb helped us in every possible way. Question: Did any artist also help in this journey? Answer: Yes. Singer Shaan gave the interview without any hesitation. His father Manas Mukherjee was a very good friend of Nida Saheb. He spoke openly about the relationship between his father and Nida Saheb. This further enriched the documentary. Question: There was a lot of controversy in Pakistan over a poem by Nida Fazli. Answer: Yes. He had read – ‘The mosque is very far from home, let’s do this, make a crying child laugh.’ People asked whether the child is bigger than Allah? Nida Sahib replied, “The mosque makes a human being, but the child is made by Allah himself. Now you decide who is elder.” This was his thinking. Question: How much influence did Gwalior have on his poetry in his childhood? Answer: Very deep. He started poetry after listening to Meera’s bhajans. A glimpse of Ganga-Jamuni culture and Indian culture is visible in his entire works. That is why many people also call him Kabir of modern times. Question: Has the expectation of more films being made on such subjects increased after receiving the National Award? Answer: Absolutely. Till now most of the documentaries have been made on big stars. But if a film based on a poet gets national honour, it will inspire other filmmakers to do serious work on literature and writers. Question: Finally, what was the biggest lesson learned from Nida Fazli’s life? Answer: That life should always be lived with positive thinking. He struggled a lot, but never gave up. Whenever I read his poetry or live his memories, I feel that no matter how many difficulties there are, a person should never give up hope and hard work.



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