Mirza Zakir Hussain Qazalbaash (2 January 1869 – 24 November 1946), better known by his pen name as Saqib Lakhnavi, was an Urdu poet active during the British Indian era. Known for his succinct style, his poetry focused on human emotions and philosophical insights. He was affiliated with the Lucknow school of poetry.[1]
Saqib Lakhnavi | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 January 1869 Akbarabad, British India |
| Died | 24 November 1946 (aged 77) Sitapur, British India |
| Occupation | poet |
| Language | Urdu |
| Alma mater | St. John's College, Agra |
| Genre | ghazal |
| Literary movement | Lucknow school of poetry |
| Years active | (until 1946) |
Early life
editSaqib was born in Akbarabad (modern-day Agra), India, into a family of Persian descent.[2] His ancestors had migrated to India during the Mughal period. His father Mirza Muhammad Hussain was an employee in the British Indian government. Saqib's mother was proficient Arabic, Persian, and Urdu, and she played a central role in his early education. After he learnt these languages, she decided to send him to Agra for further studies, particularly to obtain proficiency in English.[3] He subsequently attended St. John's College, Agra.[4] He later moved to Lucknow with his father, where he became part of literary and cultural environment. Lucknow, known for its Urdu poetry, played a key role in influencing his poetic development.
Saqib faced significant financial difficulties following the death of his father. In an attempt to support himself, he tried various occupations, including a venture in business, which he eventually abandoned after incurring substantial losses.[5]
Saqib also spent some time in Calcutta, where he served as the personal secretary to the Iranian consul (whose name remains unrecorded), a position that reduced his financial difficulties. However, dissatisfied with life in Calcutta, he went to Lucknow[5] in 1908 and accepted a job offer from Mohammad Amir Hasan Khan[6] to join his court in Sitapur, where he remained until his death in November 1946.[5]
Style
editSaqib's poetry draws from the classical themes of the Lucknow school while incorporating modern sensibilities. His works often addressed themes such as hope, despair, patience, and introspection. One of his prominent couplets is:[5]
بڑے شوق سے سن رہا تھا زمانہ، ہم ہی سو گئے داستان کہتے کہتے۔ |
The world was eagerly listening to the tales I told, |
This couplet gained wider recognition when filmmaker S. U. Sunny used it as a tagline in his films such as Mela (1948) and Kohinoor (1960).[5]
While gardens are typically seen as peaceful, Saqib frequently portrayed them as places of conflict and change, suggesting uncertainties. He described it as:[5]
باغبان نے آگ دی جب آشیانے کو میرے، |
When the gardener set my home ablaze, |
As reported by the Pakistani TV channel ARY News, several poems by Saqib have attained proverbial status in Urdu literature. However, the exact couplets that have been adopted as proverbs remain uncertain.[6]
Literary works
edit- Lakhnavī, S̲āqib (1983). Intik̲h̲āb-i g̲h̲azaliyāt-i S̲āqib (in Urdu). Uttar Pradesh Urdū Akādmī.
- Lakhnavī, S̲āqib (1988). Qaṣāʼid-i S̲āqib Lakhnavī: mausūm bah nag̲ẖmāt-i surūr (in Urdu). Milne ke pate, Dānish Mahall.
Death
editSaqib died in 1946, a year before the partition of India. Although he did not witness the events of 1947, some of his poetry has been interpreted as foreshadowing the disturbances and losses of that period.[5]
References
edit- ^ Datta, Vikas (May 14, 2023). "'Saqib': The 'star' Urdu poet and his 'garden of life'". daijiworld.com. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
- ^ Gorakhpūrī, Firāq; Shauq, Sumat Prakash (1992). Thus Spoke Firaq--: A Collection of Interviews (1959 to 1976). Allied Publishers. p. 10. ISBN 978-81-7023-348-0.
- ^ شاہ, سید صداقت علی; وحید, زینب; اعوان, محمد اقبال (2 Jan 2023). "ہمی سوگئے داستان کہتے کہتے....داستان ثاقب لکھنوی کی". Daily Pakistan (in Urdu). Retrieved 28 Nov 2024.
- ^ "Lucknow's 'shining star' and model of a shayar". Business Standard. 28 Aug 2016. Retrieved 28 Nov 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Times, Navhind (20 May 2023). "'Saqib': The 'star' Urdu poet and his 'garden of life'". The Navhind Times. Retrieved 28 Nov 2024.
- ^ a b ڈیسک, ویب (24 Nov 2021). "یومِ وفات: ممتاز شاعر ثاقب لکھنوی کے کئی اشعار کو ضربُ المثل کا درجہ حاصل ہے -". ARYNews.tv. Retrieved 28 Nov 2024.
Bibliography
edit- Lakhnavī, Naẓar al-Ḥasnain K̲h̲ayāl (1984). S̲āqib Lakhnavī, ḥayāt aur shāʻirī (in Urdu). Urdū Pablishing Hāʼūs.