Progressive · 1911–1955 · Rudauli – Lucknow
Asrar-ul-Haq, known as Majaz Lakhnavi, was the romantic firebrand of the Progressive Writers’ Movement. He fused a Keatsian lyricism with revolutionary hope, and his nazm Awaara became an anthem of restless youth. Adored in his short, troubled life, he died at forty, a legend already. He was the uncle of the poet Javed Akhtar.
ab is ke baad subah hai aur subah-e-nau Majaz
ham par hai khatm shaam-e-ghariibaan-e-lakhnau
tere maathe pe ye aanchal bahut hi khoob hai lekin
tu is aanchal se ik parcham bana leti to achchha tha
shahr ki raat aur main naashaad-o-naakaara phiroon
jagmagaati jaagti saRkon pe aawaara phiroon
ai gham-e-dil kya karoon ai vahshat-e-dil kya karoon
aaj phir dil ne machaaya hai magal kya karoon
ab mujhe koi tamanna koi hasrat bhi nahin
miT gaye dil ke nuqoosh aisi musibat bhi nahin
khoob pehchaan lo asraar hoon main
jins-e-ulfat ka talabgaar hoon main
baRha to dard hi de jaayegi ye dil ki lagan
koi diya na jala raat ke andhere mein
insaan ko bedaar to ho lene do har qaum
pukaaregi hamaare hain Majaz aur hamaare the