Firaq Gorakhpuri was one of the most noted contemporary Urdu poets from India. Firaq Gorakhpuri alias Raghupati Sahai is one of the big names of Urdu Adab. Born on 28 August 1896 in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, Raghupati Sahai is still remembered for his Urdu poetry, hajirajwabi, and outspoken nature. Firaq is also credited for bringing poetry to the common dialect.
When the new ghazal phase began in Urdu, Firaq became the biggest flag bearer of this initiative. He used to say that Urdu came to India for a long time. But it is surprising that why the fields-barn, society-culture, Himalayas, Ganges-Yamuna are not visible in it? He tried his best to remove this Mahrumi and it was successful too. For this, he was also awarded the Jnanpith Award and the Padma Bhushan.
Firaq is one of the few writers who is not limited to poetry only. He was a very educated man. He had a keen understanding of the affairs of Asia and Europe. He wrote on religious philosophy to politics. Also wrote several critical articles. He also had a tremendous grip on the English language. Jokingly used to say, “In India, only two and a half people know right English. One me, one Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and half Jawaharlal Nehru. ”
His relations with Jawaharlal Nehru were very friendly. Many stories of their friendship are famous. Firaq had said goodbye to the world on 3 March 1982, but his poetry still exists in our heart.
On Firaq Gorakhpuri birth anniversary, here are few of his famous poetries:
Bhut Pehle se unn kadmo ki aahat jaan lete hai
Tujhe ae Zindagi hum dur se pehchan lete hai
Shaam bhi thi dhua dhua husn bhi tha udaas udaas
Dil ko kayi kahaniyaan yaad si aa ke reh gayi
Ek muddat si teri yaad bhi ayi na hume
Aur hum bhul gaye ho tujhe aisa bhi nahi
Kam se kam maut se aisi mujhe umeed nahi
Zindagi tu ne to dhoke pe diya hai dhoka
Teri Nigah sahara na de toh baat hai aur
Ki girte girte bhi duniya sambhal toh sakti hai
Ghalib’s work could only have found meaning in India: Javed Akhtar
