A debate that has been raging for the past 80 years was finally laid to rest with the publication of Khirman, a five volume set of poetry by noted Urdu poet Muztar Khairabadi. <g data-gr-id="29">Khirman</g> (meaning harvest), contain some of <g data-gr-id="30">Muztar’s</g> vast and varied unpublished verses.
The Vice-President of India, Mohd. Hamid Ansari launched the vintage collection of poetry at the Indian Habitat Centre. Describing the arduous ten-year journey that culminated in its publication, <g data-gr-id="26">Muztar’s</g> grandson, Javed Akhtar likens it to a <g data-gr-id="27">dustaan</g> with many twists and turns and exhilarating occurrences.
“We have been working since 10 years on this project, and during this process I discovered that the Ghazal “Na <g data-gr-id="36">kisi</g> ki ankh ka <g data-gr-id="37">noor</g> <g data-gr-id="43">hu</g>, naa <g data-gr-id="38">kisi</g> <g data-gr-id="39">ke</g> <g data-gr-id="40">dil</g> ka <g data-gr-id="41">qaraar</g> hu”, that has been sung by many artists but was anonymous since decades is none other than <g data-gr-id="42">Muztar’s</g> creation,” said Akhtar.
From finding a bundle of old papers in a tattered cardboard box to scouting in libraries and private collection in <g data-gr-id="35">Kharirabad</g>, Lucknow, Tonk, Rampur, Indore —till its transformation to a five-volume book, the story of its compilation is as riveting as its contents. Before reciting a poem by Muztar Khairabadi, Farhan Akhtar said, “I am very happy to be here and to recite the poem that is finally getting published in the name of my great grandfather and I read it today with a lot of pride.”
<g data-gr-id="22">Khirman</g> also brings to light several other lost gems, whose authorship has been similarly doubted. The most important contribution of <g data-gr-id="23">Khirman</g> is to showcase the depth and range of Urdu’s most neglected yet most eclectic poet.
Akhtar said contrary to the belief, today’s youth has lost touch with <g data-gr-id="45">Urdu</g> language, “Urdu isn’t lost as a language, it is the script that is lost somehow. Even these days youth speak Urdu, listen to Urdu songs and read Urdu books but either in “Devnagri” or “Roman” script.”