JEDDAH, 15 September 2005 — One Urdu poet who does not want to compromise the quality and content of his couplets to earn some extra money and cheap popularity in Bollywood is Shaharyar the noted literary figure, who is among 17 poets who will be regaling an enthusiastic audience at the IISJ (Boys School) auditorium at 8:30 p.m. today.
Shaharyar, who shot into prominence after his classic composition for the Hindi feature film “Umrao Jan,” said he enjoyed teaching at Aligargh Muslim University and was never enamored of the money and fame in Bollywood.
“I’m proud to be a poet and believe in writing poetry of a (high) standard and teaching,” said Bulandshahar-born Kunwar Ikhlaq Muhammad Khan who has adopted Shaharyar as his pen name.
“However, “kavi sammelan” in Hindi and “mushaira” in Urdu are no barometer for judging the caliber of poets,” says Saharyar who participated in the mushaira held here in 1998. Shaharyar, who started his career as a journalist with “Hamari Zuban” said all recognized poets are of good caliber and standard. “They have a balanced standard of composing and reciting couplets at poetry sessions,” he said.
Shaharyar did his Masters in Urdu in 1961 and joined the famous Aligarh Muslim University in 1966 as a lecturer. He retired as chairman and head of the Department of Urdu in AMU.
He has written songs for several Hindi feature films, which became quite popular. His film songs also reflect the depth of thought presented in a simple and lucid language. He has penned songs for other movies that include “Ghaban” and Yash Chopra’s “Faasle” and Muzafar Ali’s movies. He claims to reflect social problems in his poetry.
Speaking about Urdu, he said the language was well founded and nurtured in India, and its growth in the country was very natural. “It’s more a language of the city and urban life (rather than of the countryside),” said Saharyar who has taught Urdu literature for 20 years. He said he would be present at the Urdu fiction event being organized by the consulate as part of the ongoing India festival at Jeddah Trident tomorrow.
Shahryar is among 11 poets who have arrived from India. Five others were expected to come yesterday. One other poet is Siddiqa Shabnam who has come from London.
The list of 17 poets includes Dr. Malikzada Manzoor, Professor Muzaffar Hanafi, Saghar Khayyami, Nida Fazli, Professor Waseem Barailvi, Mogni Tabassum, Meraj Faizabadi, Hasan Kamal, Zafar Gorakhpuri, Zuber Rizvi, Sheen Kaf Nizam, Rahat Indori, Noorjahan Sarwat, Talib Khundmeri and Shayar Jamali.
