Majaz

Last updated

Majaz Lakhnawi
Majaz.jpg
Born19 October 1911
Rudauli, United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, British India
Died5 December 1955
(aged 44)
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Pen nameMajaz
OccupationPoet
NationalityIndian
Genre Urdu poetry, Ghazal, nazm, geet
Subject Lust, philosophy, revolution
Literary movement Progressive Writers' Movement
Relatives Hamida Salim (sister)
Ansar Harvani (brother)
Javed Akhtar (nephew)
Salman Akhtar (nephew)
Farhan Akhtar (grand son)

Asrar-ul-Haq (19 October 1911 to 5 December 1955), better known as Majaz Lakhnawi, was an Indian Urdu poet. He is known for his romantic and revolutionary poetry. He composed ghazals and nazms in Urdu. He was the maternal uncle of poet and screenplay writer Javed Akhtar and Indian-American psychoanalyst Salman Akhtar. [1]

Contents

Early life and education

Majaz was born on 19 October 1911 at Rudauli in Ayodhya district of what is now Uttar Pradesh. [2] [3] His family were a branch of a land-owning gentry family, but were not wealthy. His brother Ansar Harvani was a journalist and he had two older sisters, namely Safia and Hamida. [lower-alpha 1] Safia was the wife of poet Jan Nisar Akhtar. Thus, Majaz was the maternal uncle of Javed Akhtar. [4] Majaz suffered from a hearing impairment even as a child, and probably for this reason, he tended to be somewhat difficult, with erratic behavior; he was moody and also a loner. [2] He had the habit of staying awake all night and doing most of his work then; as a result, his earned the nickname "Jaggan Bhaiyya" ("awake brother" in Hindi). According to a major newspaper of the region, "With hindsight one could deduce that he had the marks of a bipolar mental disorder that became more pronounced as he grew older and his life began to fall apart". [2]

Majaz's father, Seraj-ul-Haq, was a university graduate at a time when this was rare; he joined government service, serving in the middle ranks of the registration department, and finally reached the rank of Assistant Registrar. He was posted mainly in Lucknow, but since his aged parents needed attention, he kept his wife and children in the ancestral house at Rudauli, which is not far from Lucknow, and he would visit them about twice a month. Thus, Majaz grew up mainly in Rudauli and received his basic education there. In the late 1920s, his father was transferred to Agra. Since his parents were no more, and since Agra was too far from Rudauli for frequent visits, Seraj-ul-Haq decided to take his wife and children with him.

Majaz completed school in Agra in 1929, and enrolled in St. John's Intermediate College. Almost immediately, his father was transferred to Aligarh, and the family moved again, leaving Majaz in a hostel. The young Majaz was given a cash allowance for the first time in his life, and freedom from his mother's adoring but eagle surveillance. [2] He behaved like many teenagers of his age, neglected his studies, spent his time and money the way he liked, and failed his exams. Yet, his time was spent not on games or in disreputable activities, but in attending mushairas (poetry symposia) and music concerts. It was at this time that he came in contact with both senior and upcoming poets of Agra, including Fani Badayuni, Ale Ahmad Suroor and Jazbi. With difficulty, Majaz finally cleared his intermediate exams in 1931, and rejoined his parents in Aligarh, where his father got him enrolled for BA at Aligarh Muslim University, [2] his subjects being philosophy, economics and Urdu. He graduated in 1936, again taking a year more than he should have. [5]

Career

Aahang, a self autographed copy by Majaz. Aahang Autograph Copy.jpg
Aahang, a self autographed copy by Majaz.

The years that Majaz spent in Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) coincided with the presence there of many important poets and writers of Urdu. AMU was indeed a nursery of literary talent during those years. Here he came in contact with the Progressive Writers' Movement under K. M. Ashraf and Abdul Aleem. [3] Majaz lived and wrote in times which were exceptionally vibrant for poetry; Urdu-language poets such as Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Fani Badayuni, Jazbi, Makhdoom, Sahir Ludhianvi, Ismat Chughtai, and Ali Sardar Jafri were among his peers. [2] [5] [6] They were not merely his contemporaries but close friends as well. Others such as Josh and Firaq knew him well. His first diwan, Ahang, is dedicated to Faiz and Jazbi whom he calls his “dil-o-jigar,” and to Sardar Jafri and Makhdoom, who are “mere dast-o-bazu.” Faiz wrote a thoughtful prelude to Ahang. [2]

Majaz abandoned his MA in Aligarh due to financial reasons and moved to Delhi where he worked as sub-editor for the journal, Awaaz (Call). Here he became actively involved with the Delhi branch of the Progressive Writers' Association run by Shahid Ahmad Dehlvi. [7] He also worked for the All India Radio for a year before moving to Bombay, where he worked in the Department of Information for the Government of Bombay. [8]

In 1937, he returned to Lucknow and along with Jafri and Sibte Hassan founded the literary magazine, Parcham (Flag) which ran only for a single issue. [9] In Lucknow, he also worked on the editorial staff of journals like Halqa-e-Adab (Circle of Literature) and in Naya Adab (New Literature) along with Jafri and Sibte Hassan. [8]

Death

Majaz's grave at Nishatganj Graveyard in Lucknow. Majaz Grave.jpg
Majaz's grave at Nishatganj Graveyard in Lucknow.

Majaz died on 5 December 1955, [2] while the first Students' Urdu Convention was underway in Lucknow. His condolence meeting was held on 7 December 1955 in the Rifah-e-Aam Hall and was attended by poets and writers from all over India. [10]

Due to his heavy drinking, he had a tragic death. On the night of his death, according to a newspaper, "Majaz's friends took him to a tavern in Lalbagh where they all drank on the rooftop. One by one they all left leaving Majaz alone in the cold winter night. The next morning he was rushed to the hospital where doctors diagnosed a brain hemorrhage and pneumonia". [5] Majaz died that night.

He was buried in a cemetery in Lucknow. His grave bears a verse from one of his ghazals written in 1945: [10]

And after this there is morn and the new morning Majaz
With me ends the eve of sorrows of Lucknow.

Major works

Majaz's collection of poems include: [8]

Legacy

Notes

  1. ↑ Hamida wrote an account of her family titled Hum Paanch Thay (We Were Five). [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Javed Akhtar</span> Indian poet, lyricist and scriptwriter (born 1945)

Javed Akhtar is an Indian screenwriter, lyricist and poet. Known for his work in Hindi cinema, he has won five National Film Awards, and received the Padma Shri in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan in 2007, two of India's highest civilian honours.

The Progressive Writers' Association or the Progressive Writers' Movement of India or Anjuman Tarraqi Pasand Mussanafin-e-Hind or Akhil Bhartiya Pragatishil Lekhak Sangh was a progressive literary movement in pre-partition British India. Some branches of this writers' group existed around the world besides in India and Pakistan

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jan Nisar Akhtar</span> Urdu author (1914–1976)

Jan Nisar Akhtar was an Indian poet of Urdu ghazals and nazms, and a part of the Progressive Writers' Movement, who was also a lyricist for Bollywood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Malihabadi</span> Indian poet (1898–1982)

Josh Malihabadi popularly known as Shayar-e-Inqalab was a Pakistani Urdu poet, born in Malihabad, British India.

Ali Sardar Jafri was an Indian writer of Urdu language. He was also a poet, critic and film lyricist.

Rudauli is a town, tehsil and a municipal board in Ayodhya district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Rudauli is 50 km west of the district headquarters Ayodhya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akhtar ul Iman</span> Urdu poet and screenwriter (1915–1966)

Akhtar ul Iman was a noted Urdu poet and screenwriter in Hindi cinema, who had a major influence on modern Urdu nazm.

Akhlaq Mohammad Khan, better known by his takhallusShahryar, was an Indian academic, and a doyen of Urdu poetry in India. As a Hindi film lyricist, he is best known for his lyrics in Gaman (1978) and Umrao Jaan (1981) directed by Muzaffar Ali. He retired as the head of the Urdu Department at the Aligarh Muslim University, and thereafter he remained sought after name in mushairas or poetic gatherings, and also co-edited the literary magazine Sher-o-Hikmat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shamim Karhani</span>

Shamim Karhani was an eminent Urdu poet ('Shayar') of the 20th century.

Salaam Machhalishahari (1921-1972), or Salam Machhali Sheri, was an Indian Urdu-language poet.

Nazir Ahmed (1915-2008) was an Indian scholar, writer, and teacher of the Persian language. He was honoured by the Indian Government in 1987 with the Padma Shri. He received this award for his contributions to the propagation of Persian Language and literature.

Ale Ahmad Suroor (1911-2002) was an Urdu poet, critic and professor from India. He is best known for his literary criticism. In 1974 he was honoured with the Sahitya Akademi Award by the Government of India for his literary critic work, Nazar aur Nazariya. In 1991 he was also awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award. He was awarded a special gold medal by the President of Pakistan on the centenary of the birth of Muhammad Iqbal.

Saeed Ahmad Akbarabadi was an Indian Islamic scholar and an Urdu-language author who co-founded the Nadwatul Musannifeen. He served as the dean of the Faculty of Theology in Aligarh Muslim University.

Ansar Harvani was an Indian politician. Harwani opposed the partition of India. He was elected to the Lok Sabha, lower house of the Parliament of India from Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh as a member of the Indian National Congress.

Abrarul Haq Haqqi was an Indian Sunni Muslim scholar who established Ashraful Madaris in Hardoi. He was a disciple of Ashraf Ali Thanwi.

Hamida Salim (1922–2015) was an Indian author, economist, and educator, writing primarily in the Urdu language. She was the first woman to graduate from Aligarh Muslim University.

Abul Kalam Qasmi was an Indian scholar, literary critic, and a poet of the Urdu language who served as the dean of the Faculty of Arts at the Aligarh Muslim University. He was the editor of Tehzeeb-ul-Akhlaq and authored books such as The Criticism of Poetry. He translated E. M. Forster's Aspects of the Novel into Urdu as Novel ka Fun. He was conferred with the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2009, and the Ghalib Award in 2013.

References

  1. ↑ IANS (1 June 2014). "A poet for all times: Majaj Lakhnavi". Business Standard (newspaper). Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Mehr Afshan Farooqi (14 July 2013). "The lonely poet: Majaz". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  3. 1 2 Coppola 1981, p. 48.
  4. 1 2 Jalil 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 Inam Abidi (12 December 2011). "Asrar-ul-Haq Majaj - A Journey of Love, Hope and Nationalism". Muslims Today (newspaper). Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  6. 1 2 "Remembering Majaz Lakhnavi, the Keats of Urdu poetry". The Indian Express. 19 October 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  7. ↑ Jalil 2014, p. 254.
  8. 1 2 3 Coppola 1981, p. 49.
  9. ↑ Jalil 2014, p. 258.
  10. 1 2 Jalil 2014, p. 264.
  11. ↑ Majaz Aur Uski Shayari. Star publications, New Dekhi. 2012. ISBN   9788176505284.
  12. ↑ "In memory of the legendary Urdu poet Asrarul Haq Majaaz (1913-54): Book launch of 'Majaaz Aur Uski Shaayari'". nehrucentre.org.uk. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  13. ↑ नई दास्तान, नया दास्तानगो!. Tehelka Hindi (19 November 2014). Retrieved on 2018-11-13.
  14. ↑ Ahmed, Farzand (27 October 2014). "The premier show of Dastan-e-Majaz in Lucknow left everyone sobbing". shahernama.com. Archived from the original on 19 February 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  15. ↑ Dastangoi returns home to Lucknow The Times of India (19 October 2014). Retrieved 30 October 2021
  16. ↑ "Majaz - Ae Gham-e-Dil Kya Karun". JioCinema website. Retrieved 14 January 2021.

Cited sources

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.