On the doors and walls of various colleges and university hostels, on the one hand, verses like ‘I have destroyed myself and I am not bored’ are seen, on the other hand, on the social media, ‘even after you have left, I have talked about your fragrance’. It is full of poetry.
There is no platform including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp where the fame and popularity of Jon Ilia is not ringing. In the era of social media, hardly any other Urdu poet has got such a following.
But is this fame and popularity the charisma of John Elia’s personality or his poetry? Or the combination of both builds this tower? On the occasion of June Ilya’s birthday, Independent Urdu has tried to find out.
How popular was June before social media?
Akhtar Usman is a reliable reference and well-known critic of contemporary Urdu poetry. While talking to Independent Urdu, he said that ‘Jun Elia was famous in the academic and literary circles of Karachi before the advent of social media, but his mention was rarely heard in Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Lahore.’
He says, ‘He got a lot of mention in the 1990s because of his first book ‘Perhaps’. He was well received in literary circles due to his freshness and startling tone.’
Renowned researcher Aqeel Abbas Jafari has a different view. Talking to Independent Urdu, he said that ‘Jun was being published in magazines like Funon, Nirang Khyal, Adab Latif and Mah Noo, so even before his book, he had created an impression of a good poet in the whole of Pakistan. He had become famous among the literary readers of Lahore and Rawalpindi even before ‘Shayed’.
Zafar Iqbal needs no introduction. When we asked him about ‘maybe’ and Jon Ilia’s popularity before and after the 90s, his answer is Hanuman was definitely not. He said, ‘I don’t know. I haven’t read any of Jon Elia‘s books, not then or now, I don’t know when it came out, I don’t know how popular he was before, and I don’t know how popular he is today and why. are.’
When we asked him for his opinion on Jon Ilya’s poetry, he said, ‘Jun was a good poet in terms of the poetry that was happening in Karachi.’
Emerging researcher and poet Dr. Adnan Bashir says, ‘Joon’s words were printed in literary magazines, but the real impression is made by the book. After reading his book ‘Perhaps’, people asked with pleasant surprise, where did this wandering spirit of the era of Mir and Ghalib come from in today’s era.
He presents some poems from ‘Shayed’ and says, ‘How was it possible that such poetry did not move people?
This moment is the fruit of every situation
Do not rely on any grief
The scene is overwhelming
Don’t stay where you are
۔۔۔۔۔۔
I did not think that under the shadow of the navel
That this smell will also spread
۔۔۔۔۔
Hasan has been recognized as Zak, not to be interested in Hasan
We have given zakat to Hasan without asking
۔۔۔۔۔
That’s what the sky is like
Someone lives in the sky
Why doesn’t this bother me?
There was only one person in the world
June’s popularity on social media and its reasons
Talking to Independent Urdu, Aqeel Abbas Jafari says that ‘Though June was already a very popular poet of mushairas, but the role of social media is very important in his fame. There is a huge difference in popularity before and after social media.’
He said that ‘Jun’s personality has all the elements that play an important role in following someone on social media.’
If we want to have a look at such elements in Jun’s personality, his friend Qamar Razi’s portrait is very beautiful. Describing June’s personality, he writes, ‘A quick-tempered but devoted friend, a kind and frank teacher, a passer-by lost in his own thoughts, a fascinating debater, a proud philosopher, an instant mourner. Gusar, an unreasonably self-possessed and rebellious lover, a recluse who always indulges in smoking, an associationist, very weak but eager to quarrel with the whole world at the same time, a non-mahram who makes the entire world his mahram. , extremely irresponsible, sickly, a poet of extreme sensibility, this is the artist called John Elia.’
Regarding June’s fame and popularity on social media, Adnan Bashir says, “Be it poetry or other fields of art, the successful artist is the one who succeeds in turning his creation into a product, and June Elia was successful in this.”
Explaining his point, he explains that ‘Jun Elia’s style of presentation in his poetry, poetry and mushira has an aspect of sympathy, a mixture of subtle irony or subtlety, interjection and immediate response. , the spontaneity of celebrating their own loss and many other things that make them a complete package. The result is that it is not his poetry or his personality but the combination of both that makes him a popular common poet.
He says, ‘Istifhamiya style in his lines immediately attracts the reader or listener and this is a very important formula of social media. Then the clear language from above that goes straight to the heart. But it’s not like Jon took this look for fame and popularity. Rather, it was his style of living that the social media took over. In this sense, June was a lucky poet. He said that this is the reason why June Elia has left all other Urdu poets behind in the race of popularity on social media today.
A lucky poet whose many such poems are a part of youth’s morning and evening.
Shame, horror, hesitation, anxiety
Why don’t you work with Naz?
You, them, yes, but what is it all about?
Why don’t you take my name?
۔۔۔۔۔۔
How heart-warming you are, how heart-warming I am
What a shame that we will die
۔۔۔۔۔۔
Mention something about his resurrection
They will die in those who shrink
۔۔۔۔۔۔
Life is an art of moments
To lose in your own way
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2024-09-06 01:52:16
Exploring the Enigmatic Popularity of Jon Elia: A Deep Dive into His Poetry and Social Media Influence
On the doors and walls of various colleges and university hostels, one often encounters poignant verses like “I have destroyed myself, yet I am not bored,” alongside social media posts that read, “Even after you have left, I still talk about your fragrance.” The world of Jon Elia is adorned with such evocative poetry, manifesting the emotional depth and cultural resonance of this iconic Urdu poet.
In the digital age, Jon Elia’s name resonates across platforms, from YouTube to Facebook, Instagram to WhatsApp, establishing him as one of the most followed Urdu poets of this era. But what fuels this fame—his charismatic personality, his profound poetry, or a blend of both? On the occasion of Jon Elia’s birthday, we aim to unravel this intriguing question.
Table of Contents
Before the social media revolution, Jon Elia had carved a niche for himself primarily within academic and literary circles, especially in Karachi. As Akhtar Usman, a notable critic of contemporary Urdu poetry, remarks, “Jon Elia garnered recognition in Karachi’s literary community before social media, but his influence in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and Lahore was limited.” His first book, “Perhaps,” released in the 1990s, marked a significant moment in his literary journey, introducing his unique voice to a wider audience.
Conversely, researcher Aqeel Abbas Jafari highlights that Jon Elia had already established himself in literary publications like Funon, Nirang Khyal, and Adab Latif, gaining respect among readers across Pakistan even before the launch of his prominent work. His poetry made waves for its innovative style and depth, even if not widely recognized until later.
Zafar Iqbal, another prominent figure in Urdu literature, maintains a more detached view, admitting he hadn’t engaged with Jon Elia’s works until later in his career, indicating the poet’s initial niche audience among certain literary circles.
Emerging scholar and poet Dr. Adnan Bashir argues that while Jon’s poems found their way into various literary magazines, it was the publication of “Perhaps” that truly captured the attention of readers. The poems like:
“This moment is the fruit of every situation
Do not rely on any grief”“How was it possible that such poetry did not move people?”
With the advent of social media, Jon Elia’s popularity surged, revolutionizing his reputation as a poet. Aqeel Abbas Jafari asserts that although Elia was popular in poetic gatherings, social media significantly amplified his reach and acclaim. He embodies traits like vulnerability and sensitivity that appeal immensely to digital audiences.
His friend, Qamar Razi, provides insights into Jon’s multifaceted personality: a passionate friend, a sincere teacher, an introspective debater, and a poet with a rebellious spirit, all attributes that resonate well in the realm of social media.
Dr. Adnan Bashir elaborates on Jon Elia’s success, arguing that true artists turn their creations into a relatable product. Elia’s poetry blends elements of irony, spontaneity, and emotional resonance that captivates readers and listeners alike. His engaging style often mirrors the dynamics of social media, characterized by a conversational tone that instantly draws in the audience.
“You, them, yes, but what is it all about?
Why don’t you take my name?”
The Unique Intersection of Poetry and Personality
Jon Elia’s legacy is not merely confined to his literary contributions; it also encompasses the charismatic persona that he projected both on and off social media. His poems, such as:
“How heart-warming you are, how heart-warming I am
What a shame that we will die”
captivate the youth, embedding themselves into their everyday dialogues and emotional expressions. The fusion of his evocative poetry with a relatable personality allowed him to transcend the traditional barriers of literature, adapting effortlessly to contemporary cultural narratives.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Jon Elia
Jon Elia’s remarkable journey illustrates the power of poetry intertwined with personal charisma. His rise to fame in the era of social media showcases a unique blend of artistic talent and relatability, allowing his poetry to resonate profoundly with audiences. Today, his verses echo in youth culture, signifying not just the words of a poet but the enduring sentiments of an entire generation yearning for connection and meaning.
As we celebrate Jon Elia’s influence, it becomes clear that he is a beacon of modern Urdu poetry, whose legacy continues to inspire, provoke, and connect people through the universal language of art.
