The Urdu Ghazal Podcast, Season 5 Episode 11: Josh Malihabadi

Send us a textFaiz Ahmad Faiz (1911-1984) was one of the most celebrated and most loved Urdu poets of the last century. Faiz began his literary career in the 1930s and became associated with the Progressive Writers' Movement, which sought to use literature as a tool for social reform. His poetry masterfully combined classical Urdu literary traditions with revolutionary themes, addressing issues of social justice and political oppression. He served in the British Indian Army during World War II, and then worked as a journalist and editor for various publications. After independence, his leftist politics brought him into conflict with the military government. He was imprisoned from 1951 to 1955 on charges of conspiracy against the state, during which time he wrote some of his most powerful poetry. Faiz spent years in exile during the 1960s and 1970s, living in Lebanon, Moscow, and London. He received numerous honors, including the Lenin Peace Prize in 1962. His verses, particularly "Hum Dekhenge" (We Shall See), became anthems of resistance across South Asia. Faiz's work transcended political boundaries, earning him recognition as a poet who gave voice to the oppressed while maintaining the highest artistic standards. He died in Lahore in 1984, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire poets and activists worldwide.Surinder Deol published an authoritative commentary on Faiz’s life and his work titled FAIZ: From Passionate Love to a Cosmic Vision with a Foreword by Professor Gopi Chand Narang (Rupa Publishers, 2021). The book is available from Amazon and other online book sellers.

Send us a textRaghupati Sahay, known by his pen name Firaq Gorakhpuri (1896-1982), was one of the most celebrated Urdu poets of the 20th century. Born in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, he bridged cultural and religious divides through his literary work. Firaq was not only a poet but also a distinguished academic and critic. He served as a professor of English literature at Allahabad University for many years and was deeply influenced by both Eastern and Western literary traditions. His academic background in English literature brought a unique perspective to his Urdu poetry.He received numerous honors during his lifetime, including the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1960 and the Jnanpith Award in 1969, making him one of the few Urdu poets to receive this highest literary honor in India. Firaq continued writing until he died in 1982, leaving behind a rich legacy of ghazals, nazms, and rubaiyaat.Surinder Deol’s book about Firaq’s poetic contributions and his life will be published by RUPA later this year.

Send us a textAsghar Hussain, known by his pen name Asghar Gondvi, was born in 1884 in Gorakhpur. Despite formally studying only up to the 8th class, Asghar achieved mastery of Urdu, Persian, and Arabic through self-study, and also gained proficiency in English. He was under the spiritual influence of Sayed Abdul Ghani Kazmi, a religious saint and mystic, and led a life of piety and self-control. Asghar worked in various occupations - he traded optical items, worked in the railway engineering department, and later worked at the India Press in Allahabad. He was associated with the Urdu magazine ‘Hindustani’ as an editor for many years, working under Tej Bahadur Sapru's Hindustani Press. He became a close associate of the famous poet Jigar Moradabadi, who guided him in his poetry. Jigar was married to a sister of Asghar's wife. His poetry collections include ‘Nishat-e-Rooh’ (Bliss of the Soul) and ‘Surood-e-Zindagi’ (Song of Life). Asghar Gondvi died in 1936 due to a paralytic stroke. While his work is relatively small compared to that of classical poets, the quality and spiritual depth of his poetry make it superior in its own right. His poetry continues to be celebrated for its mystical content, philosophical depth, and the unique way he expressed spiritual love through the traditional imagery of romantic Urdu poetry. 

Send us a textJigar Moradabadi (1890-1960) was one of the most celebrated Urdu poets of the 20th century, renowned for his passionate ghazals and romantic poetry. Born as Ali Sikander in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, he adopted the pen name ‘Jigar’ (meaning heart or liver, symbolizing intense emotion), which perfectly captured the essence of his deeply emotional verse.         During his lifetime, Jigar was considered one of the leading poets, alongside luminaries such as Josh Malihabadi and Firaq Gorakhpuri. His poetry collections gained widespread popularity, and he was known for his powerful recitations at mushairas. His verses often dealt with the pain of unrequited love and the anguish of separation, themes that resonated with listeners and readers alike.         Jigar's contribution to Urdu literature was significant in maintaining the classical tradition while infusing it with contemporary sensibilities. His work continues to be widely read and appreciated, and many of his verses have been adapted into popular songs in Bollywood. He passed away in 1960, leaving behind a rich legacy of passionate and memorable poetry that continues to move readers today.

Send us a textJosh Malihabadi (1898-1982) was one of the most significant Urdu poets of the last century. Due to his revolutionary poetry during the freedom movement, he became known as Shaayir-e-Inquilaab. Josh was born Shabbir Hasan Khan on December 5, 1898,  in Malihabad. He studied at St. Peter's College in Agra and later at Tagore's University, where he acquired proficiency in Arabic, Persian, Urdu, and English. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru held him in high esteem and frequently attended the mushairas where Josh recited his poetry. The most dramatic chapter of Josh's life came in 1958 when he migrated from India to Pakistan. He had great difficulty in adjusting to the new reality, but could not return and had to live in Pakistan till his death in 1982. His work was celebrated posthumously when the Pakistani government commemorated his centenary by issuing a postal stamp. He was also bestowed with the Hilal-i-Pakistan, the country's highest civilian award, in 2012. Josh's significant poetry collections include Naqsh-o-Nigar, Shola-O-Shabnam, Fikr-O-Nishat, and many others. His autobiography, Yaadon ki Barat, is noted for candid writing. 

Send us a textHasrat Mohani (1875-1951), born Syed Fazl-ul-Hasan in Mohan, a town in the Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh, was a multifaceted personality who impacted literature and politics in India. He was not only a romantic poet but also a journalist, politician, parliamentarian, and fearless freedom fighter. When he gave the call of ‘Inquilab Zindabad’—Long Live Revolution—he relentlessly fought for India’s independence from British rule. He was imprisoned several times for his rebellious attitude towards the British, but always maintained his spirit, refusing to succumb to any pressure. After India’s independence, he served as a member of the Constituent Assembly that drafted the Indian Constitution, but did not sign it due to certain reservations. He passed away in Lucknow and was buried there.

Send us a textYaas Yagana Changezi (1884–1956), born Mirza Wajid Hussain Changezi, was a bold and unconventional Urdu poet known for his rebellious spirit and modernist outlook. Born in Patna, Yagana carved a unique niche in Urdu literature by defying the traditional romanticism and conventional themes that dominated the poetry of his time. He was heavily influenced by Western philosophy, particularly the works of Nietzsche, and brought a tone of existentialism, skepticism, and self-awareness into his verse. His poetry often critiqued religious dogma, social hypocrisy, and romantic idealism, which made him a controversial figure in literary circles. He frequently challenged the norms contemporaries like Iqbal and Hasrat Mohani upheld, asserting a more personal and introspective voice. Yagana's language was direct, at times abrasive, and deeply philosophical. His major works include collections like Tarana, Nishtar-e-Yaas, and Ghazalistan. He also wrote critical essays, such as Ghalib-Shikan, where he questioned the excessive glorification of Mirza Ghalib. Though marginalized during his lifetime, Yagana is recognized as a precursor to modernism in Urdu poetry and admired for his individualism, intellectual honesty, and fearless expression. He died in Lucknow in 1956, largely forgotten, but modern scholars have rediscovered and celebrated his legacy. 

Send us a textFani Badayuni, born Shaukat Ali Khan on September 13, 1879, in Badaun district, was a distinguished Urdu poet renowned for his poignant and melancholic poetry. He hailed from a family that had migrated to India from Kabul during the reign of Shah Alam. He graduated from Bareilly College in 1901 and earned his Bachelor of Laws from Aligarh Muslim University in 1906. Fani began composing poetry at a young age, completing his first Divan by age 20. He persevered despite initial resistance from his orthodox family, who disapproved of his poetic pursuits. His first collection was published in 1917 from Badaun, and his second, ‘Baqiyat-e-Fani,’ was published in 1926. In 1932, Fani moved to Hyderabad at the invitation of Maharaja Kishan Prasad 'Shad,' an Urdu enthusiast and poet. There, he served as a school headmaster and was actively involved in the literary circles of the time, including the court of Prince Moazzam Jah. Fani's poetry is characterized by its deep exploration of sorrow and existential angst, drawing comparisons to the works of Mir Taqi Mir. Fani Badayuni passed away in Hyderabad on August 27, 1941, leaving a profound and introspective legacy.

Send us a textDagh Dehlvi (1831–1905) was one of the most celebrated poets of classical Urdu ghazal of the late 19th century.  He came from an aristocratic family, but his father, Nawab Shamsuddin Ahmed Khan, was implicated in the murder of the British Resident William Fraser in 1835 and was executed by the British. This event drastically altered Dagh’s childhood. Following his father’s death, his mother, Wazir Khanum, married the Mughal crown prince Mirza Fakhru, bringing Dagh into the Mughal court's cultural sphere. Dagh was greatly influenced by Zauq, the poet laureate of Bahadur Shah Zafar’s court. The 1857 Revolt and the British suppression of Delhi forced Dagh to leave the city. He moved to Rampur, where the Nawab patronized him, and he later shifted to Hyderabad, where he enjoyed the patronage of the Nizam. Unlike Ghalib and Iqbal, who explored deep philosophical themes, Dagh’s poetry remained centered on the traditional ghazal themes of love and passion. He was also a great poetry teacher, and Allama Iqbal was briefly among his students. Dagh passed away in 1905 in Hyderabad, where he spent his final years under the patronage of the Nizam.

Send us a textMomin Khan Momin (1800-1851) was one of the most significant poets of the late Mughal period in Delhi. Born into a family of physicians, he was educated in Persian, Arabic, and traditional Islamic sciences. His real name was Muhammad Momin Khan, but he is known by his pen name ‘Momin.’ Momin was associated with the court of Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor, where he was highly respected for his poetic genius. Unlike many of his contemporaries who wrote primarily in Persian, Momin chose to write predominantly in Urdu, contributing significantly to the development of the Urdu ghazal. He is mainly celebrated for his expression’s delicacy (nazakat) and his masterful use of Urdu. His poetry is known for its sophisticated wordplay, subtle imagery, and deep emotional resonance. While his contemporary Mirza Ghalib is often considered the greater philosopher-poet, Momin is regarded as unmatched in his ability to express the nuances of love and longing.His most famous couplet, ‘Tum mere pas hote ho goya’ (You seem to be near me), remains one of the most celebrated couplets in Urdu literature. Despite his significant contribution to Urdu poetry, Momin lived in relative poverty, supporting himself through his practice as a hakim (traditional physician).