The second kind, free from this compulsion, is also easier than the first kind of doha. In fact, the first kind of doha-writing is difficult in view of the compulsive element of prosody. It also lacks smooth flow of pronunciation. But the second kind is easier than the first from the prosodic angle. It has a smooth flow of accent too.
Taj Qaimkhani of Meerpur Khas is a senior poet and writer. His name is prominent among the poets who are creating Dohas continuously along with Hamds, Na'ats, geets and ghazals.
He has two books to his credit. The first poetic anthology "Chhaon Sulagti Rahon Main" was published in 2000 and the other "Geet Ye Keval Geet Nahin" -- a collection of geets --has come out in 2004. The book under review 'Dil Hai Ishqi Taj Ka' is an anthology of dohas published last month (December 2004). The writes-up of Farhat Sapna and Naveed Sarosh are thought provoking.
These two essays are giving not only the analytical views about the author's doha-writing efforts but are giving a short background of doha-writing with reference to present doha-writings and doha writers. The book is dedicated to the name of an important doha-writer and mathematician Professor Khwaja Dil Mohammed (1884-1961). There is also a write-up of author in this book, which also provides food for thought.
It may be mentioned here that once the most popular genre of ghazal was considered for the expression of only romantic incidents, personal sentiments and emotional affairs but now it is being used for almost all subject matters. Likewise doha has also broken the barriers of expressing only love affairs. Now it has multi-dimensional capriciousness in its folds.
The author of this book has tried to express his overt and covert experiences. He has also criticised the prejudices against women. He has given the message of brotherhood, equality, love and peace. He has lamented the trend of terrorism and regional feelings.
His dohas are not indicative of any single shade but are mirroring varieties of socio-economic, socio-political as well as socio-cultural pictures. Doha-Hamd and Doha-Na'at are also included in the book. There are a few dohas too, which have been included in the book and related to some prestigious personages. He has strong grip on the use of the very words, which are suitable for this genre. He is among the poets who have strictly followed and adopted the difficult prosody - Fe'lun Fe'lun Faelun Fe'lun Fe'lun Fa - of first kind of doha.
Author: Taj Qaimkhani
Compilers: Farhat Sapna, Fauzia Habib
Publisher: Idara Pehchan, A-180 Taj Chambers, New Town, Mirpurkhas
Pages: 160
Prices: Rs 100