By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net,
Lucknow: Regarded as John Keats of Urdu poetry, Majaz Lucknawi’s life still remains a mystery for his admirers. Perhaps his foresighted parents had realised the destiny of their child and named him Asrar meaning mystery in Urdu.
Born on 19 October, 1911 at Rudauli now in Faizabad district as Asrarul Haque he took the name of Majaz Lucknawi. Uncle to famous lyricist Javed Akhtar, Majaz is regarded as a successful romantic and progressive poet in Urdu literature. A poet who has the honour of writing the university anthem of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) of which he was also a student. During his days at AMU, Majaz was a favourite among girls. One of his associates Dr Sharib Rudaulvi recalls that a lottery used to take place in girls hostel on who will be keeping his ghazal book beneath their pillow. Noted Urdu litterateur Ismat Chugtai had once remarked to Majaz, “Girls love Majaz to so much extent it cannot be explained.” Majaz known for his witty sense of humour replied: “But they marry rich persons in their life.”
The grave of Majaz Lucknawi in Nishatganj graveyard, Lucknow
Such was his popularity that noted film actress Nargis Dutt during her visit to Lucknow went to meet Majaz and took her autograph in her diary. For Nargis who was wearing a white dupatta, Majaz wrote: “Terey mathey pe yeh anchal khoob hai lekin, tu is anchal sey eik parcham bana leti tou achcha tha.”The lines also sum up the revolutionary writing of Majaz who along with Ali Sardar Jafri became a hit in every programme. During his days Majaz served at All India Radio both at Delhi and Lucknow.
Majaz lived in Lucknow with his sister Safia Akhtar in Nishatganj, the house is now owned by Raja Singramau. The residents informed that once Shabana Azmi had paid a visit to their house to have a look at the room where Majaz stayed. Javed Akhtar, the noted lyricist is the son of Majaz’s sister Safia Akhtar.
However Majaz who was regarded as the best Urdu poet during his days turned towards wine after his failed affairs. Due to this he even suffered three strokes and had to be admitted in asylum. The habit left him only with his death in December 1955 when Majaz was found dead on the terrace of a bar in Lalbagh locality of Lucknow. He was rushed to Balrampur Hospital but Majaz could not be saved. The epitaph written on his grave at Nishatganj graveyard aptly sums up his life:”Ab iskey baad subah hai aur subah-e-nau Majaz, Hum Per hai khatam Sham-e-Gariban-e-Lucknow…..”