A Tribute to Majaz Lakhnawi

"Majaz" or "Majaz Lakhnawi" who's original name was Asrar-ul-Haq, was the poet who composed the unfogettable Aligarh Tarana. Unfortunately, he is not too often remembered by those sing the tarana written by him.

Majaz never got his due while he was alive and died a tragic death. Fortunately, people are slowly realizing his importance and a couple of functions were organized to commemorate his 50th death anniversary which fell on 5th December 2005.

Here's a tribute to Majaz, penned by a senior Aligarian based in Muscat. His name is Jawaid Iqbal and his nom de plume (takhallus) is Jawaid Badauni as he hails from a place called Badaun, situated in Uttar Pradesh, India.

Gaatey haiN log shauq se gana "Majaz" ka

HonToN peh aaj tak hai tarana “Majaz” ka

Yeh bhi hai gulsitaN se mohabbat ki ik miSaal

Bulbul chaman ka Khud ko banana “Majaz” ka

Ik umr unki yaad meN roti rahee Ghazal

Marg-e suKhan tha duniya se jana “Majaz” ka

BAAd-e Majaz samjhe haiN log unki manzilat

Hai kitna dardnaak fasana “Majaz” ka

Kuch jaandaar GhazaleN theeN kuch shandaar geet

Duniya meN bus yehee tha Khazana “Majaz” ka

MaiKhana ilm-o-fun ka bhulaye to kis tarah

Sahbaa-e fikr-o-fun men nahana Majaz ka

Tu so gaya tarana tira jaagta rahaa

Kah de koii hilake yeh shana “Majaz” ka

Jawaid, yeh “Majaz” ke naGhme ka hai aSar

Dil sub ka ban gaya hai diwanah “Majaz” ka

~ Jawaid Badauni