Majaz Lakhnawi

Majaz was born on 19 October 1911 at Rudauli in Ayodhya district of what is now Uttar Pradesh. ==Career==

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Commemorative postage stamp In 2008, Government of India issued a commemorative postage stamp honoring his contributions to Indian literature. One of his poetic verses shown on this postage stamp is: Bakhshi Hain Hum Ko Ishq Ne Woh Jurra'tain Majaz Darte Nahin Siasat-e-Ahle-Jahan Say Hum Translation: Majaz, love has blessed us with such courage I am not even afraid of any politics by this world From another poem Aawaara: Shehar Ki Raat Aur Mein Naashad O Naakara Phirun Jagmagaati Jaagti Sadkaun Pe Aawara Phirun Ghair Ki Basti Hai Kab Tak Dar-Badar Maara Phirun Ae Gham-e-Dil Kya Karun, Ae Wahshat-e-Dil Kya Karun ==Death==

. Majaz died on 5 December 1955, 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. Due to his heavy drinking over a failed love life, 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". 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: And after this there is morn and the new morning MajazWith me ends the eve of sorrows of Lucknow. ==Major works==

Majaz's collection of poems include: • Ahang (Melody) - 1938 • Shab-e-tar (Dark Night) - 1945 • Saaz-e-Nau (New Musical Instruments) - 1949 • Tarana (anthem) Yeh Mera Chaman, Yeh Mera Chaman of Aligarh Muslim University • Noora Nurse Poem • Aawara Poem ==Legacy==

• In memory of the poet a book launch of, Majaz Aur Uski Shaayeri, edited by Salman Akhtar was held in collaboration with The Nehru Centre, London and Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Association (UK). The programme included video clippings on Majaz including comments by Hamida Salim (Majaz's sister) and Ali Sardar Jafri (Majaaz's friend and contemporary poet), a speech by Parvaiz Alam (broadcaster and dramatist), a lecture Majaz – Teen Daayeron ka Shayer by Akhtar, and Kalam-e-Majaz sung by Nasser Harvani and Majaz's nephew from New Delhi. • Kahkashan lit. Galaxy, A calassic doordarshan biographical telefilm based on the life stories of a Galaxy of Poets covers Majaz's major life events and poetry, narrated by Ali Sardar Jafri. This play portrays the stages of 'Zuhoor', 'Urooj' and then 'Zawaal' of Majaz, furthered by the general deterioration. • A dastangoi based on Majaz's life and poetry was performed by Ankit Chadha and Himanshu Bajpai This narrative introduces the audience to Majaz, his childhood, his fame at AMU, his days in Delhi, his love, his poetry and most importantly his vagabondism. The story was told through accounts of the poet's relatives, friends and acquaintances. • Majaz: Ae Gham-e-Dil Kya Karun, is a 2017 Indian biographical film directed by Ravindra Singh about Majaz. • A poem Yeh Mera Chaman, Yeh Mera Chaman by Majaz is now the anthem for Aligarh Muslim University. ==Notes==