Mumbai, August 27: Firak Gorakhpuri is a revered name in the world of Urdu poetry. Born as Raghupati Sahai on August 28, 1896, in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, he transformed Urdu ghazal into a new identity through his profound poetry. His life was not just about verses; it encompassed academic excellence, a government job, participation in the freedom struggle, imprisonment, politics, and a long literary journey.
He made the bold decision to leave a promising government job to join the freedom movement. Early in his career, he received encouragement from the famous writer Premchand.
Firak hailed from an educated and affluent family. His father, Gorakh Prasad, had a keen interest in literature and wrote poetry himself. From a young age, Firak learned Urdu and Persian, continuing his education in Gorakhpur and Allahabad. He excelled academically, securing the fourth position in the state in his BA exams, which fueled his growing passion for literature and poetry.
In 1916, at the age of 20, while still a BA student, he recited his first ghazal. During this time, Premchand was also in Gorakhpur, and their friendship blossomed. Recognizing Firak’s talent, Premchand helped him publish his early ghazals and introduced him to Dayanand Nigam, the editor of the magazine ‘Jamaana.’ This marked the beginning of Firak’s journey as a poet.
After completing his education, Firak secured a government job and was selected for the ICS, a prestigious position at the time. However, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s non-cooperation movement, he chose to resign and join the freedom struggle.
His involvement in political activities led to his arrest, resulting in a year and a half in prison. Upon his release, Jawaharlal Nehru connected him with the Congress party, where he served as an assistant secretary for a while.
Eventually, Firak shifted his focus from politics to education and literature. Around 1930, he joined Allahabad University as an English literature lecturer. Proficient in Hindi, Urdu, and English, his poetry vividly depicted themes of love, human emotions, life, and society. He wrote not only ghazals but also nazms, rubais, and other poetic forms.
His notable works include ‘Rooh-e-Kayanat,’ ‘Gule-Nagma,’ ‘Gule-Rana,’ ‘Shabnamistan,’ and ‘Roop.’ The book ‘Gule-Nagma’ elevated him to the pinnacle of literary acclaim, earning him the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1960 and the Jnanpith Award in 1969, making him the first recipient of this prestigious honor in Urdu literature.
In recognition of his contributions to literature, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan and the Soviet Land Nehru Award in 1968. In 1970, he received a fellowship from the Sahitya Akademi and later won the Ghalib Academy Award. His works have been translated into multiple languages, solidifying his unique place in Urdu literature.
Firak Gorakhpuri passed away on March 3, 1982, in New Delhi, at the age of 85. His poetry continues to resonate with audiences today.
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