Khaleel-Ur-Rahman Azmi: A Gifted Poet and A Perceptive Critic
By Sumit Paul, New Age
Islam
9 August
2024
Tamaam Yaadein Mahak Rahi Hain Aur Ek Ghuncha
Khila Hua Hai
Zamana Beeta Magar Gumaan Hai Ki Aaj Hi Vo Juda
Hua Hai
Khalil-Ur-Rahman Azmi
(Memories
are fragrant and vagrant; a fresh bud is still blooming/ Times have gone by,
yet it appears she left just now)
Khaleel-Ur-Rahman
Azmi was born on August 9 at Azamgarh
-----
Way back in
1950, a young man from AMU stood first-class first in Urdu with distinction. At
that time, he was tutor of a young British ex-Army soldier, Ralph Russell
(1918-2008), who had developed a keen interest in Urdu and later became a major
scholar in the field. That young man and tutor of Professor Russell was
Khaleel-Ur-Rahman-Azmi, the legendary Urdu critic and poet.
While
studying Urdu and pursuing my PhD under the tutelage of Professor Russell in
England, he would always admire Khaleel-Ur-Rahman as a very perceptive teacher,
scholar, poet and critic. Khaleel-Ur-Rahman Azmi was at home with both prose
and poetry.
Professor
Russell introduced me to his (Khaleel-Ur-Rahman Azmi's) corpus of works. Three
of his books are still in my collection: Nai
Nazm Ka Safar (edited): A collection of Urdu poetry from 1936 to 1972, Mazameen-e-Nau (1977): A work of
literary criticism and Fikr-o-Fan
(1956).
By the way,
he was one of the founding fathers of modern Urdu criticism in the
subcontinent. Always a self-effacing person, Khaleel-Ur-Rahman tellingly wrote, "Jaane Kyoon Ik Khayal-Sa Aaya/ Main Na
Hoonga Toh Kya Kami Hogi " (Just a stray thought occurred to me/ What
difference will it make when I won't be anymore). Azmi understood this truism
at a relatively young age. One more couplet that makes you think deeply is: Nikal Gaye Iss Ke Ma'ani Hazaar/ Ajab
Cheez Thi Ik Meri Khamushi (Thousands of interpretations were constructed/
Strange was my silence).
Though
always a serious man, Khaleel-Ur-Rahman wrote a lot on love as well. "Hum Ne Toh Khud Ko Bhi Mita Daala/ Tum Ne
Toh Sirf Bewafai Ki" (I erased myself/ You just jilted). Think over
this couplet: Suna Raha Hoon Unhein
Jhoot-Moot Ik Qissa / Ki Ek Shakhs Muhabbat Mein Kaamyaab Raha (I'm
narrating a false story to her that one man succeeded in love). One of his
oft-quoted couplets is: Aariz Pe Tere
Meri Muhabbat Ki Surkhiyan/ Meri Jabeen Pe Teri Vafa Ka Ghuroor Hai (Your
cheeks have the glow of my love/ The pride of your love is emblazoned on my
forehead).
At a pretty
young age, he wrote, "Tum Mujhe
Chaho Na Chaho Lekin Itna Toh Karo/ Jhoot Hi Kah Do Ki Jeene Ka Bahana Mil
Sake" (Whether or not you love me, at least lie- that you love- so
that I've an excuse to live).
Professor
Russell liked this couplet very much and wrote it in his diary in a cursive
handwriting: Mere Dushman Na Mujh Ko
Bhool Sake/ Varna Rakhta Hai Kaun Kis Ko Yaad (My foes have not forgotten
me/ Otherwise, who remembers anyone?). My personal favourite from
Khaleel-Ur-Rahman's oeuvre is: Hai Vo Log
Jin Ke Aane Ka / Hashr Tak Intizaar Hota Hai (Alas, there are a select few
/ For whom, one can wait till eternity).
Azmi
received his Doctor of Philosophy in Urdu in 1957 from Aligarh Muslim
University for a dissertation entitled: Urdu
Mein Tarraqqipasand Adabi Tahreek. He received the Ghalib Award for Urdu
Poetry in 1978. While coping with Leukaemia, Khaleel-Ur-Rahman wrote about
himself, "Kabhi Bhoole Se Yaad Kar
Lena Use/ Voh Shakhs Itna Bhi Gaya-Guzra Nahin" (Remember him once in
a blue moon/ That person is not so insignificant). No, sir. You were a
remarkable person.
Azmi
breathed his last on June 1, 1978 at the age of 50. We'll always remember you
with a deep sense of reverence. Modern Urdu literature is depleted without you.
------
A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit
Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam.
He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several
languages including Persian.
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/khaleel-rahman-azmi-gifted-poet-critic/d/132897
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