A Contemporary poet of Hyderabad e Deccan: Syed Akhtar Zaidi

       In the name of Allah (s.w.t) the most Beneficent and Merciful                                     Peace be upon Mohammad e Mustafa and his progeny                                             



Akhtar Zaidi

Mrs. FARHAT FATIMA
Research Scholar, Department of H & SS
JNTUH, College of Engineering
JNTUH, Kukatpally, Hyderabad-85
E-mail: farhat_fatima5@yahoo.com

Abstract


Akhtar Zaidi has used his verses to articulate inner thoughts and sentiments and to make sense of melancholy he underwent whenever he heard about ‘the battle of Karbala’.  He has very efficiently communicated and portrayed to the readers his love for Ahle Bait (family of Prophet Mohammad) through his poetry in the form of Rubai’s, Manqabat, Qasida, Musaddas, Salam and Noha’s.  He has been one of the most talented contemporary poets of Urdu Literature.   He has been awarded the title Aftab e-Deccan i.e., the sun of Deccan.   He was born on 15th March 1933 in Hyderabad and expired on 4th April 2009.  His education was done in Darul-shifa High School, Intermediate from City College and attained his Bachelor’s degree in science from Osmania University in the year 1954.   He was recruited in Central Government job in Regional Research Laboratory. Three volumes of his poetry have been published known as Ghalib aur Akhtar, Islam aur Karbala and Faizan.  Two editions of the work named Faizan were published.  First edition was published in the year 1978 and second edition in the year 1990.  Some of his contemporaries are Baquer Amanathkhani, Sayeed Shaheedi, Sohail Afandi, Qawar Noori and Qairaat Hussain Natiq. This article aims at studying the different types of verse forms used by Akhtar Zaidi to portray the battle of Karbala.

Keywords

Rubai, Manqabat, Qasida, Musaddas, Salam, Noha

Prologue


Syed Ali Abid Zaidi, popularly known as Akhtar Zaidi is a contemporary Poet of Urdu Literature.  He was awarded the takhallus or title Aftab e Deccan, the sun of Deccan. He was born on 15th March 1933 in Hyderabad and expired on 4th April 2009. His schooling was done in Darul-shifa High School, Intermediate from City College and attained his Bachelor’s degree in science from Osmania University in the year 1954.   He was recruited in Central Government job in Regional Research Laboratory.  Coming to his work, three volumes of his poetry have been published known as Ghalib aur Akhtar, Islam aur Karbala and Faizan.  Two editions of the work named Faizan were published.  First edition was published in the year 1978 and second edition in the year 1990.  His poems express love of Ahle Bait (family of Prophet Mohammed) which heals our grievances and touches our heart.  Death, grief and anguish all these emotions go hand in hand with the happenings of Karbala.  The huge affliction of Karbala starts with the most loved grandson of Prophet Mohammad, Hussain Ibn Ali’s (Alaihis Salaam) martyrdom and later the suffering of his elder son Zain ul Abedien  (Alaihis Salaam means 'peace be upon him') and the women folk at the hands of the unruly forces of the tyrant King Yazid.  The pain and the trauma can be illustrated through poetry recited in majalis {religious congregations for the mourning of Hussain Ibn Ali’s (Alaihis Salaam) suffering and martyrdom.} These gatherings connect a person to the grief of Hussain Ibn Ali (Alaihis Salaam) and his household.

Akhtar Zaidi was a down to earth and humble human being.  He was not only a good Orator but also an organized and devoted poet.  Poetry was embedded in his family.   His family has been involved in the service of Hussain Ibn Ali {(Alaihis Salaam),  The youngest grandson of Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him and his progeny} since five generations by giving Hadis or lectures on the tragedy of Karbala.  Through his poetry and oratory skills he has sought to articulate the spirit of the human conditions prevalent at that time in Karbala using his full range of knowledge and imaginary skills.  His poetic vocabulary has an ability to capture the abstract emotions and concrete experiences that have been part of our humanity throughout the ages.   He was very expressive in his poetry and never seemed to be holding back.   He has chosen very beautiful and apt words in his poetry.  He has portrayed many forms of poetry like Rubai’s, Manqabat, Qasida, Musaddas, Salaam and Noha. Some of his contemporary poets are Baquer Amanathkhani, Sayeed Shaheedi, Sohail Afandi, Qawar Noori and Qairaat Hussain Natiq.  This article aims at studying the different types of verse forms used by Akhtar Zaidi to portray the battle of Karbala.

Disquisition of Verses


The poetic language used by Akhtar Zaidi is outstanding, awfully accomplished, original and deeply moving.  One of the verse forms he has used while portraying his thoughts is his Rubai’s.   Rubai is a verse form of Persian origin consisting of four-line stanzas.  Each rubai stanza is a quatrain, in which lines 1, 2 and 4 all rhyme.  Basically a Rubai is a form of Persian poetry but its metres had been created by a non-Arab poet known as Abul Hassan Roudaki.  Portrayal of verses through Rubai’s was practiced more by non-Arab and Urdu poets.  Usually Rubai or a Quatrain has special metres containing 24 different kinds of categories.  Rubai’s can only be composed in 24 different kinds of metres or branches.  Out of the four lines of Rubai the starting two lines are called ‘Sehr’ or Stanza.  Both first and second lines should end in rhyme; third line should be without rhyme and fourth line again in selected rhyme but within 24 special meters. The fourth line also is said to be ‘Misra’ contains elevated, tough, absolute and profound meanings that must be related with above three lines. Rubai is a complete poem in four lines. It addresses only one point or subject.

The following is a beautiful Rubai by Akhtar Zaidi

شبئیر کے رُتبہ کا  شا ناسا نہ مِلا
عاشق کوئی اِس اہلِ وفا سا نہ مِلا
عبائس نے دُنیا کی بَدل دی تاریخ
دریا کے کنارے کوئی پیاسانہ مِلا

Transliteration

Shabbir ke ruthbay ka shanasa na mila
Aashiq koi iss ahle wafa sa na mila
Abbas ne duniya ki badal di tariq
Dariya ke kinare koi pyasa na mila (Zaidi, Faizan 23)

No acquaintance is found as par with the status of Shabbir.
No follower or lover is found as loyal as him
Abbas has changed the history of this world
No one has been found thirsty ever near the bank of a river (Translated by Fatima, Farhat)


In the above Rubai Akhtar Zaidi very beautifully portrays the status of Hussain Ibn Ali {(Alaihis Salaam), The youngest grandson of Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him and his progeny.} He says in the first line that there is not a single person who can be equivalent to Hussain Ibn Ali (Alaihis Salaam), and in the second line of the sehr or stanza he praises Hussain’s younger step brother Abbas Ibn Ali (Alaihis Salaam), and says no one can be as loyal as Abbas in this world because he has changed the history of this world.  During the battle of Karbala Abbas Ibn Ali (Alaihis Salaam), went to his elder brother Hussain Ibn Ali (Alaihis Salaam), and said brother if you cannot give me permission to fight at least let me permit to fetch the water from the river Euphrates for my niece Sakina and the other children.  After seeking permission he went into the battlefield and when the unruly forces of Yazid saw him coming they dispersed fearfully because his aura was such valiant, courageous and charismatic. Abbas Ibn Ali (Alaihis Salaam), reached the river he took the water in his palm and threw it back saying I will not drink this water because his master and elder brother Hussain Ibn Ali (Alaihis Salaam), and his children were thirsty since three days.  He was so loyal that he did not think of his thirst.  Thus Akhtar Zaidi praises Abbas Ibn Ali (Alaihis Salaam), in the last line of the Rubai saying not a single person will return thirsty from the bank of a river as Abbas Ibn Ali (Alaihis Salaam), did.


The second form of verse writing done by Akhtar Zaidi was Manqabat.  Manqabat is a Sufi devotional poem mostly written in the honor of Ali Ibn Abi Talib {(Alaihis Salaam), Cousin and later Son In Law of Prophet Mohammad} and Ahle Bait (family of Prophet Mohammad) or of any Sufi saint. Akhtar Zaidi has used selective words while portraying Manqabat.  His words are simple, touching and melancholic with deep meaning. He has portrayed the following lines of the Manqabat with selective terminology and rhyming canto. 

 سکونِ کا مِل رہے گا حا صِل، ہماری راہوں پہ چَل کے دیکهو
علُی کی اُلفت میں غرق ہوکر حُسیُن کے غم میں ڈهل کے دیکهو

Transliteration

Sakune kaamil rahega haasil, hamari rahon pe chalke dekho
Ali ki ulfat mein gharkh hokar, Hussain ke gham mein dhalke dekho (Zaidi, Faizan 42)

Perfect Calmness will be attained, walk on our path (i.e., preachings) and see
Submerge in the love of Ali and sink in the sorrow of Hussain and see (Translated by Fatima, Farhat)


In the above Manqabat Akhtar Zaidi depicts his thoughts to the common people that if you want to attain serenity and tranquility in your life than follow the route which we follow.  The key that we follow is to immerse ourselves in the love of Ali {(Alaihis Salaam), Cousin and Later Son in Law of Prophet Mohammad} and descend in the grief of Hussain Ibn Ali {(Alaihis Salaam), The Grandson of Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him and his progeny}


Apart from Manqabat he also practiced writing verses in the form of a Qasida.  According to T. Graham Bailey in his book A History of Urdu Literature  A Qasida is a kind of ‘ode ‘or lyric poem often a panegyric on a benefactor, sometimes a satire, sometimes a poem dealing with an important event.  As a rule it is longer than the Ghazal, but it follows the same system of rhyme. In Arabic Qasida means ‘intention’.  A Qasida has a single presiding subject, logically developed and concluded.  It is a eulogy or speech of praise.

The following couplets of Qasida are superbly written by Akhtar Zaidi

 کفو زهئرا، بهائی احمئد کا، پدر حسنیئن کا
تیرے ہر رشتہ سے ہے تطہیرِ کامِل آشکار  
                          
        !تیری صورت، صورتِ حق، نفس تیرا، نفسِ حق
       عینِ  حق   تیری  نظر  تُو  مظہرِ   پرور   دگار

Transliteration 

Kuffe Zehra, Bhai Ahmed ka, Pidar Hasnain ka 
Tere har rishte se hai tatheer e kaamil aashkar    
  Teri Surat, Surat e haq, nafs tera, nafs e haq!
  Ain e haq Teri nazar tu mazhar e parwardigar  (Zaidi, Faizan 80)

Equivalent in status of Zehra, Brother of Ahmed and father of Hasnain
With your every relation perfect purification is apparent
Your face is the face of truth; your soul is the soul of truth!
Your precious eye is of truth and you are manifestation of Sustainer or Lord (Translated by Fatima, Farhat)


In the above lines, Zehra (peace be upon her) is the daughter of Prophet Mohammad, Ahmed is the name of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him)  & Hasnain is plural form of both the grandsons of Prophet Mohammad i.e., Hasan Ibn Ali (Alaihis Salaam), and Hussain Ibn Ali (Alaihis Salaam).

In the above lines of Qasida Akhtar Zaidi portrays very skillfully the status of Ali Ibn Abi Talib.{(Alaihis Salaam), Cousin and later Son in Law of Prophet Mohammad}  He says ‘Ali’ (Alaihis Salaam), is the husband of Zehra (peace be upon her) because he is on par with her status and he is the brother of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him)  also known as Ahmed and he is father of Hasnain (Prophet’s grandson’s)  In the next line of the Qasida he depicts that all his relations shows his elevated position.  In the first line of second couplet of Qasida he praises Ali Ibn Abi Talib (Alaihis Salaam), and says to him that his face and soul both reveal truth and his eye portrays truth and he further articulates to him that you are the phenomenon of almighty Lord.

The next category of verses Akhtar Zaidi portrayed was genre of six lines i.e., sestain or Misra called as Musaddas in Urdu. The manzarkashi or depiction of the scenes of Karbala through Musaddas by Akhtar Zaidi is quite real as if a scene is laid down before us.  He had an artistic openness of mind and had heightened receptivity about the tragedy of Karbala in its full and varied precision.  According to Raza Mir in his book The Taste of Words: An Introduction to Urdu Poetry ‘A Musaddas may be simply described as a poem of six lines.  Typically, the first four lines of the Musaddas rhyme with each other, while the last two rhyme in a different format.  The format lends itself to longer narratives and epic poems’.  Some of the exponents of Musaddas were Mir Anis, Mirza Salamat Ali Dabir, Maulana Altaf Hussain Hali, Iqbal and Waheed Akhtar. 

 The following is a striking Musaddas by Akhtar Zaidi

میرے  آقا  تجهے خالق  سے  فضیلت  بهی ملی
تجهه کو کلثوم سے، زینئب سے محبّت بهی ملی
جو  کسی  کا  نہیں  حصّہ  وہ  شہادت  بهی ملی
وقت   کی   قید  سے  آزاد   حکومت  بهی  ملی 
       پیکرِ   حُسنو   وفا  صاحبِ    احساس  ملا
       تیرے  نانا  کو علئی اور تجهے عبّائس  ملا

Transliteration

Mere Agha tujhe Khaliq se fazilat bhi mili 

Tujhko Kulsoom se Zainab se mohabbat bhi mili 
     
Jo kisika nahin hissa woh Shahadat bhi mili 
   
Waqt ki qaid se azaad hukumat bhi mili.  
    
   Paeykare husn o wafa sahebe ehsaas mila 
  
   Tere nana ko Ali aur tujhe Abbas mila  (Zaidi, Faizan 147)


My Master you received superiority from the creator
You also received love of Kulsoom and Zainab
No one received the martyrdom which you got
You received governance that is unrestrained by the confinement of time
      You got model of beauty and fidelity and owner of realization
      Your grandfather got Ali and you got Abbas. (Translated by Fatima, Farhat)



In the above lines of Musaddas Akhtar Zaidi portrays his Stream of Consciousness. In his conscious mind through his poetry he is speaking to Hussain Ibn Ali {(Alaihis Salaam), Grandson of Prophet Mohammad.} He says to Hussain Ibn Ali (Alaihis Salaam), Oh my Master! The creator has bestowed you superiority over other human beings.   You have also received love of your sisters Kulsoom and Zainab (Granddaughters of Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon them.)  In the third line of Musaddas he says to Hussain Ibn Ali (Alaihis Salaam), that the creator has ranked you among the first and best of martyrs. Your governance is unrestrained by constrains of time.  And in the fifth line he praises Abbas Ibn Ali {(Alaihis Salaam), younger step brother of Hussain Ibn Ali (Alaihis Salaam)} and says you got a model of beauty and fidelity along with faithfulness. If your grandfather has got Ali {(Alaihis Salaam), cousin and later son in law of Prophet Mohammad} than you got Abbas Ibn Ali (Alaihis Salaam).  Both Ali (Alaihis Salaam), and Abbas (Alaihis Salaam), are not only father and son but also they have similar characteristics.  Both were chivalrous, faithful and good associates to Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) and Hussain Ibn Ali (Alaihis Salaam) respectively.

The next form of verse writing practiced by Akhtar Zaidi was Salam.  Salam is a lyrical salutation or a respectful ceremonial greeting recited in reverence of Ahle Bait.  Soz, Salam and Marsia together are known as Sozkhwani.   According to Ashok Damodar Ranade in his book Music Contexts: A Concise Dictionary of Hindustani Music "Salam is more flexible in respect of tempo of rendering and it can be rendered slow or fast as required" (Ranade, 127)

The following are beautiful lines of Salam by Akhtar Zaidi in praise of Ali Ibn Abi   Talib {(Alaihis Salaam), Brother and later Son in Law of Prophet Mohammad}


یاعلئی کہتے ہی ٹل جاتی ہے مشکل اختّر
جب  بهی  آواز دو اِمداد مہں  تا خیر نہیی

Transliteration

Ya Ali Kahte hi tal jaati hai mushkil Akhtar
Jab bhi Awaaz do imdad mein taqir nahin  (Zaidi, Faizan 212)

When I say O’ Ali My difficulties vanish says Akhtar
Whenever I call him he helps me without delay (Translated by Fatima, Farhat)

The above lines of the Salam are of invocation to Ali Ibn Abi Talib (Alaihis Salaam), and the poet says whenever he calls Ali Ibn Abi Talib {(Alaihis Salaam), Cousin and later Son in Law of Prophet Mohammad } his difficulties vanish and Ali Ibn Abi Talib (Alaihis Salaam), comes to help him without any delay. 


Noha is one of the subsequent forms of poetry practiced by Akhtar Zaidi to portray his thoughts.  A Noha or dirge is a gloomy song or lamentation about the tragedy of Hussain Ibn Ali {(Alaihis Salaam), grandson of Prophet Mohammad} in the Battle of Karbala.  It is along with Soz a sub-part of Marsia. It is usually a poem of mourning. Usually the poet or the reciter laments the noha with plaintive rhythm.  The main subject of the noha is the pain from the killing of Hussain Ibn Ali (Alaihis Salaam), and his 71 associates in the battle of Karbala and the grievances afflicted on his household after his shahadat or martyrdom.

The following is an excerpt from Akhtar Zaidi’s heart rendering noha

بهیّا  تمہارے   بعد  انوکهے   سِتم   ہوئے
دُرّے لگے ردائیں چِهینی خیمے جل گئے
بانو  کے  قلب  کا  وه سہارا  بهی جل گیا
ماں دیکهتی ہی رہ گئ جهُولا بهی جل گیا
               بهائی کی قبر ہل گئ خواہر کے بین سے
               زینئب لپٹ  گئ  ہے  مزارِ  حُسیئن سے

Transliteration


Bhaiya tumhare baad anokhe sitam huwe

Durre lage ridayein cheeni khaime jal gaye

Bano ke qalb ka woh sahara bhi jal gaya

Maa dekhti hi rah gayii jhula bhi jal gaya

     Bhai ki qabr hil gay-ii quahar ke bain se

     Zainab lipat gay-ii hai mazare Hussain se  (Zaidi, Faizan 231)

Brother after your martyrdom peculiar oppression's occurred
We were whipped, our veils were taken forcibly and our tents were burnt
The support of Bano’s heart was also burnt
Mother was looking on and the hammock of her infant son was also burned
     Brother’s grave was shaken by the bemoaning of his sister
     Zainab clinged to the mausoleum of Hussain  (Translated by Fatima, Farhat)

{In the above lines Bano (peace be upon her)  is the wife of Hussain Ibn Ali (Alaihis Salaam), Grandson of Prophet Mohammad, and Zainab (peace be upon her) is the younger sister of Hussain Ibn Ali (Alaihis Salaamand Granddaughter of Prophet Mohammed.}


In the above lines of Noha Akhtar Zaidi portrays the grief of a sister, Zainab (peace be upon her) when she returns to her brothers place of martyrdom.  She complains to her slain brother the hardships they faced after he was no more. The first line portrays the unthinkable afflictions they underwent. In second line she gives a gist of those oppression's like they were lashed, they cloaks were forcibly taken and they tents were burnt.  She further complains to his brother that his wife, Bano’s cause of living was also taken away from her.  Because they also burnt the wooden hammock of her infant martyred son. Thus her brother’s {Hussain Ibn Ali’s (Alaihis Salaam)}  grave shook by the bemoaning of his sister when she clinged to his grave and wailed.

Thus, the different ideas and thoughts embodied in Akhtar Zaidi’s various forms of verse writing portray to us the power of his imagination.  The words he chose to portray the happenings of Karbala are excellent.  He remained a pleasant charisma for the people around him in his later years of life especially for Shia community who eulogized Hussain Ibn Ali (Alaihis Salaam).   Akhtar Zaidi occupies a special position in the contemporary era of Urdu Literature.   He was not only a versatile poet but also a straightforward, down to earth, self-reliant and modest human being.  Most of the mourning congregational prayers in Hyderabad end the bemoaning of Hussain Ibn Ali {(Alaihis Salaam), Grandson of Prophet Mohammad}  with the beautiful rubai of Akhtar Zaidi.  This rubai is sung as a Dua (an act of supplication) addressing Fatima Zehra {(peace be upon her, daughter of Prophet Mohammed and   mother of Hussain Ibn Ali (Alaihis Salaam)}


چین دُنیا میں مِلے، راحتِ عقبیَ مل جائے
شدّتِ  عِشق  مِلے، غم کا سلیقہ مِل جائے   
کاسُہ  دل  لُے حاضِر ہیں  درِ  دولت  پر
فاطمُہ  آپ کی  اولاد  کا صدقہ مِل جا ُے

Transliteration

 Chyan duniya mein milay rahate oqba mil jaye

 Shiddate ishq milay, gham ka saliqa mil jaye

 Kasaye dil liye hazir hain dare daulat par

 Fatima aapki aulad ka sadqa mil jaye  (Zaidi, Faizan 24)
         We should get peace in this world and contentment of friends
         We should get the intensity of love and the knack to bear sorrow
         We have brought the begging bowl of our heart at your door step
         Oh Fatima!!  Give us the charity of your children (Translated by Fatima, Fatima)


The above Rubai is in the form of a pleading where Akhtar Zaidi as a devotee pleads to the daughter of Prophet Mohammad her reverence Bibi Fatima Zehra in a congregational prayer that please give us peace in this world and the pleasantness of the people around us, give us the passion of love and the correct manner how to be patient in sorrow.   We have brought the begging bowl of our heart at your doorstep.  Oh Fatima! (Daughter of Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him and his progeny) give us the sadaqa or voluntary charity or benevolence of your progeny
On 4th April 2009 at the age of 76 years Akhtar Zaidi a well-known orator, creative poet, scientist and luminary hailed as one of the most outstanding versifier in Urdu literature passed away. Akhtar means ‘star’ in Persian language. Thus, a brilliant star of the world transited to the hazel galaxy of stars to an abode of peace and tranquility, to an abode of serenity and calmness. He is buried in Hyderabad at a graveyard known as Daire Mir Momin.  He is survived by his wife, two sons Hyder Zaidi, Tahir Zaidi and a daughter Zahida Fatima Zaidi and numerous followers. The service of Hussain Ibn Ali {(Alaihis Salaam), Grandson of Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him and his progeny}  has been continuing in the family of Akhtar Zaidi through oration by his eldest son Hyder Zaidi, Son-in-Law Abid Bilgrami and grandsons.  Thus Akhtar Zaidi a dedicated admirer of Hussain Ibn Ali (Alaihis Salaam), Grandson of Prophet Mohammad} and Ahle Bait (Family of Prophet Mohammad) after spreading fragrance through his various forms of poetry left this temporary world for a permanent destination in paradise.  His poetry has made a mark in the anthologies of Urdu Literature and he is considered as one of the best among his contemporary poets.


References

Bailey, T.Grahame A History of Urdu LiteratureIntroduction 1932 London 2 Print


Ranade, Ashok Damodar Music Contexts: A Concise Dictionary of Hindustani Music 2006 Promilla and Co.Publishers, New Delhi 127 Print

28/01/2017 Web

Zaidi, Allama Akhtar  Faizan Anjuman e Azadaranein Ahle Bait, Hyderabad 1990 2nd Edition 23 Print

         ---.                  Faizan Anjuman e Azadaranein Ahle Bait, Hyderabad 1990 2nd Edition 24 Print

         ---.                 Faizan Anjuman e Azadaranein Ahle Bait, Hyderabad 1990 2nd Edition 42 Print

         ---.                 Faizan Anjuman e Azadaranein Ahle Bait, Hyderabad 1990 2nd Edition 80 Print

         ---.                Faizan Anjuman e Azadaranein Ahle Bait, Hyderabad 1990 2nd Edition 147 Print

         ---.                Faizan Anjuman e Azadaranein Ahle Bait, Hyderabad 1990 2nd Edition 212 Print

         ---.               Faizan Anjuman e Azadaranein Ahle Bait, Hyderabad 1990 2nd Edition 213 Print

English Translation and Transliteration is done by Farhat Fatima, Research Scholar JNTUH, Kukatpally - Hyderabad.

This paper has been published in Literary Endeavour (A Quarterly International Referred Journal of English Language, Literature and Criticism) by Chief Editors: Dr. Ramesh Chougule & Dr. S. Subbiah  (ISSN 0976-299X): Vol. VIII: Issue: 2   January, 2017) www.Literaryendeavour .org pg.9-14

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