Kaifi Azmi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Athar Husain Rizvi[1] (1919-01-14)14 January 1919 |
| Died | 10 May 2002(2002-05-10) (aged 83) Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Occupations |
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| Political party | Communist Party of India |
| Spouse | |
| Children | |
| Awards | National Film Award for Best Lyrics (1970) Padma Shri (1974) Sahitya Akademi Award (1975) Sahitya Akademi Fellow (2002) |
| Website | azmikaifi |
Kaifi Azmi (bornAthar Husain Rizvi; 14 January 1919 – 10 May 2002) was an IndianUrdupoet. He is remembered as the one who broughtUrdu literature to Indian motion pictures.[2] Together withPirzada Qasim,Jaun Elia and others he participated in many memorableMushaira gatherings of the twentieth century.[3][4] He was also acommunist who wanted to seeIndia one day become asocialist state.[5][6] His wife was theatre and film actressShaukat Kaifi.[7]
Azmi was born into a family in the village of Mijwan inAzamgarh district ofUttar Pradesh. He got his title from the city of thesame name.[2][8]
He was from a family of artists. His three brothers were alsoshayars (poets). Azmi was married toShaukat Azmi. They have a daughter,Shabana Azmi who is an actress,[2] and a son,Baba Azmi, a cinematographer. Azmi's daughter-in-lawTanvi Azmi is also an actress.[8][7]
DuringPartition, he was underground inAurangabad, as he was hounded by theBritish police for being a "card-carrying communist". His parents and his five brothers took the ship fromBombay toKarachi. By the time he surfaced, their ship had left.[9]
He was denied a visa for Pakistan for several years despite the fact that his family lived there,[10] because he was acommunist.
At age eleven, Azmi wrote his first ghazal inBahraichItna To Zindagi Mein Kisi Ki Khalal Pade and somehow managed to get himself invited to amushaira and over there, he recited a ghazal, rather a couplet of the ghazal which was very much appreciated by the president of the mushaira, Mani Jaisi, but most of the people, including his father, thought he recited his elder brother's ghazal.[11] When his elder brother denied it, his father and his clerk decided to test his poetic talent. They gave him one of the lines of a couplet and asked him to write a ghazal in the same meter and rhyme. Azmi accepted the challenge and completed a ghazal. This particular ghazal was to become a rage in undivided India and it was immortalised as it was sung by legendary ghazal singer,Begum Akhtar. Azmi abandoned his studies of Persian and Urdu during theQuit India agitations in 1942 and shortly thereafter became a full-timeMarxist when he accepted membership of theCommunist Party of India in 1943. During this period, the leading progressive writers of Lucknow noticed him. They were very impressed by his leadership qualities. They also saw in him a budding poet and extended all possible encouragement to him. Consequently, Azmi started to win great acclaim as a poet and became a member ofProgressive Writers' Movement of India. At the age of twenty-four, he started activities in the textile mill areas ofKanpur. As a full-time worker, he left his life of comfort, though he was the son of a zamindar. He was asked to shift his base to Bombay, work amongst the workers and start party work with a lot of zeal and enthusiasm.[8]
Kar chale hum fida jan-o-tan sathion |
| Kaifi Azmi |
I sacrifice now, this life and body, o friends... |
Like most of the Urdu poets, Azmi began as a ghazal writer, cramming his poetry with the repeated themes of love and romance in a style that was replete with clichés and metaphors. However, his association with theProgressive Writers' Movement and Communist Party made him embark on the path of socially conscious poetry. In his poetry, he highlights the exploitation of the subaltern masses and through them he conveys a message of the creation of a just social order by dismantling the existing one. Yet, his poetry cannot be called plain propaganda. It has its own merits; intensity of emotions, in particular, and the spirit of sympathy and compassion towards the disadvantaged section of society, are the hallmark of his poetry. His poems are also notable for their rich imagery and in this respect, his contribution to Urdu poetry can hardly be overstated.[8] Azmi's first collection of poems,Jhankar was published in 1943.
In 1944, he wrote a poemAb Agli Id Ek Azad Pakistan Main Hogi — one of the works written by leading Progressive Writers of Urdu campaigning for Pakistan[12] — although he later became bitter about the partition.[13]
His important works including anthologies of poetry, wereAakhir-e-Shab,[2]Sarmaya,Awaara Sajde,Kaifiyaat,Nai Gulistan, an anthology of articles he wrote forUrdu Blitz,Meri Awaaz Suno,[2] a selection of his film lyrics, and the script ofHeer Raanjha inDevanagari.[14] His lyrics titled "Kar chale hum fida" featured in thesoundtrack of the 1964 Hindi filmHaqeeqat.[15][16]
His best known poems areAurat,Makaan,Daaera,Sanp, andBahuroopni.
Azmi's work in films includes working as a lyricist, writer, and actor. Azmi wrote his first lyrics for the filmBuzdil, directed byShaheed Latif and music by SD Burman, released in 1951. His early work as a writer was mainly forNanubhai Vakil's films likeYahudi Ki Beti (1956),Parvin (1957),Miss Punjab Mail (1958) andId Ka Chand (1964). While directors likeKhwaja Ahmad Abbas andBimal Roy strove to create the "New Cinema", writers likeSahir Ludhianvi,Jan Nisar Akhtar,Majrooh Sultanpuri, and Kaifi changed the tenor and vocabulary of the Hindi film song, creating a fresh new wave in Hindi film lyrics that lasted many years.[17] His greatest feat as a writer wasChetan Anand'sHeer Raanjha (1970) wherein the entire dialogue of the film was in verse. It was a tremendous achievement and one of the greatest feats of Hindi film writing. Azmi also won great critical accolades for the script, dialogues and lyrics ofM.S. Sathyu'sGaram Hawa (1973), based on a story byIsmat Chughtai. Azmi also wrote the dialogues forShyam Benegal'sManthan (1976) and Sathyu'sKanneshwara Rama (1977). As a lyricist and songwriter, though he wrote for numerous films, he will always be remembered forGuru Dutt'sKaagaz Ke Phool (1959) andChetan Anand'sHaqeeqat (1964), India's greatest war film. Some notables films for which he wrote lyrics includeKohra (1964),Anupama (1966),Uski Kahani (1966),Saat Hindustani (1969),Shola Aur Shabnam,Parwana (1971),Bawarchi (1972),Pakeezah (1972),Hanste Zakhm (1973),Arth (1982) andRazia Sultan (1983). ForNaunihal (1967), he wrote the song "Meri Aawaz Suno Pyar ka Raaz Suno" (Hear my voice, hear the secret of love) sung byMohammad Rafi. The song is picturised over the funeral procession of Prime Minister of India,Jawahar Lal Nehru. Years later, after Azmi's own death his daughter,Shabana Azmi mentioned finding comfort in verses from the song.[18] Azmi wrote the lyrics forBible Ki Kahaniyan, the first Christian mythological television show broadcast in India.[19] He also played a memorable role of Naseem's grandfather inNaseem (1995). Azmi died on 10 May 2002 at around the age of eighty-three. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son. His autobiography is included in a collection of his works,Aaj Ke Prashid Shayar: Kaifi Azmi.[8]
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| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Naseem | Naseem's Grandfather | Actor |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | Buzdil | Lyricist | |
| 1953 | Bahu Beti | Lyricist | |
| 1955 | Hatimtai Ki Beti | Lyricist | |
| 1956 | Yahudi Ki Beti | Writer | |
| 1957 | Pravin | Writer | |
| 1958 | Sone Ki Chidiya | Lyricist | |
| 1958 | Lala Rukh | Lyricist | Uncredited |
| 1958 | Miss Punjab Mail | Writer | |
| 1959 | Paper Flowers | Lyricist | |
| 1960 | Apna Haath Jagannath | Lyricist | |
| 1961 | Shama | Lyricist | |
| 1961 | Shola Aur Shabnam | Lyricist | |
| 1961 | Razia Sultana | Lyricist | |
| 1962 | Nakli Nawab | Lyricist | |
| 1962 | Gyara Hazar Ladkian | Writer | |
| 1964 | The Fog | Lyricist | |
| 1964 | Id Ka Chand | Writer | |
| 1964 | Main Suhagan Hoon | Lyricist | |
| 1964 | Haqeeqat | Lyricist | |
| 1965 | Chor Darwaza | Lyricist | |
| 1965 | Alor Pipasa | Lyricist | Bengali |
| 1966 | Anupama | Lyricist | |
| 1966 | Do Dil | Lyricist | |
| 1966 | Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi | Lyricist | |
| 1966 | Aakhri Khat | Lyricist | |
| 1967 | Naunihal | Lyricist | |
| 1968 | Anokhi Raat | Lyricist | |
| 1969 | Saat Hindustani | Lyricist | Won 'National Film Award' for Best Lyrics - Song: "Aandhi Aaye Ki Toofan" |
| 1969 | Satyakam | Lyricist | |
| 1970 | Hamara Adhikar | Lyricist | |
| 1970 | Dagabaaz | Lyricist | |
| 1970 | Heer Raanjha | Lyricist | |
| 1970 | Maharaja | Lyricist | |
| 1970 | Maa Ka Aanchal | Lyricist | |
| 1971 | Parwana | Lyricist | |
| 1971 | Do Boond Pani | Lyricist | |
| 1972 | Rivaaj | Lyricist | |
| 1972 | Pakeezah | Lyricist | |
| 1972 | Bawarchi | Lyricist | |
| 1973 | Naina | Lyricist | |
| 1973 | Alam Ara | Lyricist | |
| 1973 | Hanste Zakhm | Lyricist | |
| 1973 | Hindustan Ki Kasam | Lyricist | |
| 1974 | Faslah | Lyricist | |
| 1974 | Garm Hava | Lyricist, Writer | Won 'National Film' for Best Story (with Ismat Chughtai). 'Filmfare Award' for Best Dialogue, Best Story (with Ismat Chughtai) and Best Screenplay. This movie was India's official submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1974. |
| 1977 | Dil Aur Patthar | Lyricist | |
| 1977 | Shankar Hussain | Lyricist | |
| 1977 | Dhoop Chhaon | Lyricist | |
| 1979 | Shaitan Mujrim | Lyricist | |
| 1979 | Inspector Eagle | Lyricist | |
| 1982 | Yeh Nazdeekiyan | Lyricist | |
| 1982 | Arth | Lyricist | |
| 1982 | Deedar-E-Yaar | Lyricist | |
| 1982 | Lakshmi | Lyricist | |
| 1982 | Suraag | Lyricist | |
| 1983 | Razia Sultan | Lyricist | |
| 1984 | Hum Rahe Na Hum | Lyricist | |
| 1984 | Bhavna | Lyricist | |
| 1986 | Mere Saath Chal | Lyricist | |
| 1986 | Nasihat | Lyricist | |
| 1986 | Shart | Lyricist | |
| 1989 | Main Azaad Hoon | Lyricist | |
| 1993 | Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee | Lyricist | |
| 1998 | Tamanna | Lyricist | |
| 2003 | Ek Alag Mausam | Lyricist |
Azmi was the subject of a documentary film calledDiksha (2015), directed by Raman Kumar. In 1997, he recited his own poems forKaifiyaat, an audio book on his collected works.
Kaifi Aur Mein, a play based on his life, his works and the memoir of his wife,Shaukat Azmi –Yadon Ki Rahguzar (Down Memory Lane), was written and performed byJaved Akhtar andShabana Azmi, and performed in India as well as abroad in 2006.[20] Another play, directed by Rani Balbir,Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Hasin Sitam, based on Kaifi Azmi's life and writings was staged in 2005, and received rave reviews.[21]
He was the recipient ofPadma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award in 1974.[22] Besides he was awarded theUttar Pradesh Urdu Academy Award and theSahitya Akademi Award for Urdu for his collectionAwaara Sajde, Special Award ofMaharashtra Urdu Academy,Soviet Land Nehru Award,Lotus Award from theAfro-Asian Writers' Association, andPresident's Award for national integration. In 1998,Government of Maharashtra conferred the Jyaneshwara Award on him. He was also honoured with the prestigiousSahitya Akademi Fellowship for lifetime achievement.[23][2][7]
Kaifi Azmi returned his Padma Shri in the 1980s after the thenChief Minister of Uttar PradeshVir Bahadur Singh remarked that those speaking Urdu as a second language should be made to sit on a donkey and paraded. According to his daughterShabana Azmi, her father replied that he had written in Urdu all his life, and if his State's Chief Minister held such views on the language, he, as a writer, must stand up for himself.[24]
In 2000, he was conferred the first Millennium Award by theGovernment of Delhi and theDelhi Urdu Academy. He has also been honoured with a doctorate fromVishva Bharati University, Santiniketan.[7]
The government has also inaugurated a train named "Kaifiyat Express" which runs from his hometown Azamgarh to Old Delhi.
On 14 January 2020, search engine Google commemorated Kaifi Azmi with aDoodle on his 101st birth anniversary.[25] Google commented: "With work ranging from passionate love poems and activist verses to Bollywood songs lyrics and screenplays, Azmi has become one of the most renowned poets of the 20th century in India, and his humanitarian efforts continue to impact people's lives today."[26] There is street also named after him Kaifi Azmi road inHyderabad. There is also a road inR. K. Puram, New Delhi named Kaifi Azmi Marg after him.[27]
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)| International | |
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