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 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism