VERSATILE BARDS OF AWADH
    “Lucknow has been the cradle of literary brilliance for centuries. From Urdu’s ‘Khuda-e-Sukhan’ Mir Taqi Mir to revolutionary voices like Hasrat Mohani and progressive Hindi writers like Amritlal Nagar, the city remains poetry’s eternal hub. Mohita Tewari revisits the literary journey of the city …”
    Often dubbed as the city of poets and writers, Lucknow has been the cradle for numerous renowned writers and poets over the past 250 years since it became the capital of Awadh for the first time in 1775.
    From Insha Allah Khan, the author of the first grammar of Urdu language, Darya-e-Latafat, to MirTaqi Mir, known as Khuda-e-Sukhan (God of poetry), and Maulana Hasrat Mohani, the Urdu poet and freedom fighter who coined the legendary slogan Inquilab Zindabad (Long live the revolution), the city has been a fertile ground for literary excellence.
    INSHA ALLAH KHAN (1752-1817)
    Insha Allah Khan served as a distinguished Urdu poet in the royal courts of Lucknow and Delhi during the late 1700s and early 1800s. A versatile scholar proficient in multiple languages, he authored the pioneering Urdu grammar text, Darya-e-Latafat.
    Born in Murshidabad, Khan produced significant literary works in Lucknow, where he remained until his death in 1817. His legacy rests on two major contributions: Rani Ketki Ki Kahani, an early Hindi prose narrative composed without Arabic or Persian vocabulary, and Darya-e-Latafat (1807), a Persian treatise examining Urdu grammar, rhetoric, and the distinctive dialects of Delhi and Lucknow. This groundbreaking text established grammatical conventions that remain relevant today.
    DD National, India’s public broadcasting network Doordarshan, adapted Rani Ketki Ki Kahani into a television programme.
MIR TAQI MIR (1723-1810)
    Mir Taqi Mir is celebrated as one of the finest poets who explored profound themes of romance, bereavement, and human nature. His renowned couplets include Dikhaai diye yun ki bekhud kiya, hamein aap se bhi juda kar chale.
    His poetry is noted for its emotional depth and poetic finesse. Born in Agra in 1723, Mir spent much of his life in Lucknow until his death in September 21, 1810.
    Recognised as a foundational figure in Urdu literature, he earned the title Khuda-e-Sukhan.
    His contributions, particularly in ghazals, have solidified his status as an exemplary practitioner of this poetic form.
MUNSHI NAWAL KISHORE (1836-1895)
    Munshi Nawal Kishore often referred to as the Caxton of India, established the Munshi Nawal Kishore Press on Nov 23, 1858, at the age of 22. He began publishing the weekly newspaper Avadh Akhbar, also known as Oudh Akhbar, in 1859. His publishing enterprise became Asia’s oldest printing and publishing establishment, releasing over 5,000 publications in various languages, including Arabic, Bengali, Hindi, English, Marathi, Punjabi, Pashto, Persian, Sanskrit and Urdu, between 1858 and 1885.
    His legacy continued through his sons, who founded the Ram Kumar Press and Tej Kumar Press as successors to the original Nawal Kishore Press.
    Ghalib acknowledged the influence of Nawal Kishore Press by stating, “Divan of whosoever Nawal Kishore published, his name and fame reached the sky.”
    Ameer Hasan Noorani, in his 1982 publication Munshi Nawal Kishore Haalat aur Khidmaat, noted that “as soon as one mentions the words ‘Nawal Kishore Press’, the pleasing and awe-inspiring thought of thousands of books fills one heart.”
    Urdu scholar Aziz Ahmed observed, “Had it not been for Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and Munshi Nawal Kishore after the 1857 War of Independence, the general awakening of India to a different environ and the preservation of our cultural heritage would not have been possible. If Nawal Kishore had not rediscovered our invaluable cultural treasure through printing and publishing, it would have been lost forever after the calamity of 1857.”
Abdul Halim Sharar (1860-1926)
    Abdul Halim Sharar, distinguished Urdu litterateur, made significant contributions as a short-story writer and novelist. He earned widespread recognition for pioneering Islamic historical novels in Urdu literature, creating exceptional literary works that enriched the language. His professional journey began at the Awadh newspaper in Lucknow, followed by positions at various newspapers, magazines, and journals. He later published his own chronicles, with Dil-Gudaz achieving remarkable success and appreciation across diverse readerships. He also composed poetry under the pen name ‘Sharar’. His book Guzashta Lucknow is still considered one of the best narratives describing the genesis of the city and its culture.
Ameer Minal (1829-1909)
    Ameer Minal, an esteemed Urdu poet of his times, gained widespread recognition for composing the ghazal, Sarakti jaye hai rukh se naqab aahista aahista, which was later sung by Jagjit Singh. His ghazals have been performed by renowned vocalists including Ghulam Ali, Farida Khanum, and Jagjit Singh. He also wrote under the pen name ‘Ameer’, Minal’s most significant contribution was Ameer-ul-Lughaat, an extensive Urdu-to-Urdu dictionary planned as an eight-volume collection. However, only two volumes were completed and released and released in 1891 and 1892. Despite his proficiency in various poetic forms, his ghazals brought him the greatest acclaim. His notable works include Mirat-ul-Ghalib (1868) Gauhar-e-Intekab (1896), and Sanam-khana-e-Ishq (1896)
Hasrat Mohani (1878-1951)
    Inquilab Zindabad (long live the revolution) is the most used slogan, both during the pre-independence era, and afterwards. Popularized by Bhagat Singh, one of the most revered revolutionaries, the slogan was coined by Hasrat Mohani, a freedom fighter and a legendary poet from Lucknow.
    Born as Syed Fazlul Hasan in Mohan in Unnao, a neighbouring district in Lucknow, Mohani established himself as a notable personality in Lucknow. His reputation stemmed from his poetic works, social activism, and significant role in India’s freedom struggle.
    His diverse contributions included establishing the influential publication Urdu-i-Mualla and serving in key positions within the Indian National Congress. He actively participated in the Swadeshi movement and introduced the pioneering resolution for complete independence.
    His leadership extended across various organisations, presiding over sessions of the Indian National Congress, Muslim League, Jamiat-ul Ulama-i-Hind, and the Communist Party of India, which he helped establish. He knew the art of writing ghazals in simple language. His ‘ghazals’ like ‘Chupke Chupke Rat Din’ still figures in the playlist of every household.
WINDS OF CHANGE
    At a time when the Progressive Writers’ Movement was sweeping India, Asrarul Haq Majaz (1911-1955), gave vent to the angst of the youth in Lucknow with Inquilab, and Aahang-e-Nau. Known as the ‘Keats of Urdu poetry’, Majaz was one of the few poets who romanticised revolution. His pen spews fire when he says, ‘Dekh Shamsheer hai ye, saaz hai ye, jaam hai ye; Tu jo Shamsheer utha le to bada kaam hai ye. His work Aawara (Aye gam-e-dil kya karoon) is considered one of his best poetic works.
Safi Lakhnawi (1862-1950) His simple yet unique style and writings on socio-political issues made him the people’s poet. Later, poets like Wali Asi (1939-2002) (Phailta jaata hai nafrat ka dhuan ishq karo), Krishna Bihari ‘Noor’ (1926-2003) (Zindagi se badi sazaa hi nahi), and Sardar Khushbir Singh ‘Shaad’ (born 1954) emerged as the torch bearers of Lucknow’s literary tradition.
    Poet, lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar and his brother Salman Akhtar, sons of illustrious poet and lyricist Jaan Nisar Akhtar, also have a deep connection with Lucknow.
    Poet Munawwar Rana (1952-2024) gave a new dimension to poetry by making the love for mother as the central theme of his poetry.
    Historian, writer, poet and a storyteller par excellence, Yogesh Praveen (1938-2021) was a walking encyclopedia on Lucknow. He wrote over two dozen books capturing the history, culture and beauty of Awadh.
His poetic works include Shabnam, Peele Gulab, Anjuman, and Indradhanush. He is also known for his contribution in the making of cinematic masterpieces like Shatranj Ke Khiladi, Junoon and Umrao jaan..

TOI 30/8/25