Barbar Ghazipuri
Barbar Ghazipuri is the pen name adopted by a young Hindi and Urdu writer and a poet. Barbar originally hails from one of the most eastern district of Uttar Pradesh in India called Ghazipur. The place has been notably famous for its literary contribution to India and to the world as a whole. Major names include Dr. Raahi Masoom Raza, Khamosh Ghazipuri, Aziz Ghazipuri, Pt. Uday Shankar, Zafar, Satara Devi, Nazir Hussain etc. Barbar Ghazipuri adopted the pen name as Barbar (Takhallus) and continues to add Ghazipuri as a respect to the city and the culture he belongs to.
Barbar completed his education at Aligarh Muslim University commonly referred to as AMU in Aligarh. The University is of a world renowned fame and is noted for its culture and intelligentia. The students have proved their mettle in almost every arena. Following the footsteps or say inheriting the same profile and culture of AMU, Barbar continues the legacy in the contemporary world. The first notable performance came when he received First prize in Ghazal Competition organised in Sulaiman Hall of AMU in 2003. Later, Barbar managed to get three prizes in a row for English, Hindi and Urdu poetry at Zakir Husain College of Engineering and Technology (ZHCET), Aligarh. It is said that the poetry resided in his DNA for his grandfather was a principal and a writer. His maternal grandfather (Nana) was a doctor and a poet, Uncle is an established poet and author in Karachi, Pakistan. However, we can see that AMU was the place where his poetry and creative skills nurtured and fine tuned.
Various works of Barbar Ghazipuri has been published at several places. The first of his poems were published in leading newspapers, college magazines. One of his English creation also got a place in magazine publication of Tata Consultancy services, one of the largest Software companies of the world. Barbar Ghazipuri also represented his university in All India Sir Syed Memorial Debate competition in Hindi. Again, his representation in British Council creative writing competition and winning the second prize was notable. He won scholarship from British Council. His accomplishments were published in leading newspapers. He was also awarded and recognised for his contribution by Mayor of the city.
In spite of being equal vocal and eloquent in three languages namely English, Hindi and Urdu, Barbar Ghazipuri exhibits a greater soft corner for the Urdu language. In his own words at Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Barbar described the Urdu language and its essence in following words- "Urdu is the sweetest of all languages. It infuses freshness, serenity and peace. The Poetic form of thoughts - Gloom or Bloom, binds every soul. Peace and Serenity shall be the natural outcome of our common joy - Urdu. Let us enjoy, feel and create in Urdu! How sweet the world would be with the sweetness of Urdu around. Shairi, Ghazal or Nazm are just one of the few tools that Urdu has for its expression. The truth is Urdu directly affects our hearts and permanently resides in our soul. And Hindi being the closest kin, let us enjoy the charm of Hindi-Urdu together!!"
It seems that Barbar is also a guest author on Pages Of A Single Man. It is confirmed by one of his interview at a newspaper in Lucknow known as Sigma News. POASM is a blog that consists of Indianised version of the so-called Bro-codes.
Noted Areas of work:
1. Social Awareness and Unity talks (www.bas1.com) : Barbar Ghazipuri has started a campaign known as the project "Be As One". Initially started as a blog, the author and moderators aim at unification of India. Peace and love is the main theme of the project
2. Hindi Urdu Shayari Newsletter : This was initially started as a newsletter. The Step was highly praised and appreciated with thousands of downloads. The newsletter has been published at slideshare as well as scribd, other than the local prints and xeroxed distribution. The expansion plan includes making bigger editorial team. You can view one of the earliest newsletter at : http://www.slideshare.net/toughjamy/urdu-shairinewsletterjuly2012mohdanwarjamalfaiz http://www.scribd.com/doc/100502270/Urdu-Shairi-Newsletter-July-2012-Mohd-Anwar-Jamal-Faiz
3. Barbar Ghazipuri is also engaged in a team movement of identifying and promoting new talents in the field of literature. Presently focussing on Hindi, Urdu and English, his team is also looking forward to engaging Marathi, Gujrati and Bengali talents in the first round.
4. Barbar Ghazipuri has also an inclination towards technology. He has his Apps on Nokia Ovi Store, Google Play Store. These Apps namely, Poasm, Pothi, Jobpuzzles etc. are available on Android, Symbian etc. With thousands of downloads, these Apps help in promotion of literature, thoughts and advices to society especially the youth. The Pothi project aims to suggest users the possible good reads. Any user can download and find the best and trending books to be read in various languages of his choice.
5. Barbar Ghazipuri has published articles and poems in journals, newspapers and magazines of repute. He has an upcoming publishing project with Penguin Publishers sister company. His work 'It pains when it rains' is already in process of publication. Other projects have not come in public domain, but has received much appreciation from pre-publishing critiques. He has also partnered with a technology company Majftech to come up with a publishing solution.
6. Urduwala.com, which emerged as his brain-child, was openly reviewed with many. As a result, the website now boasts of one of the largest collection of details regarding Hindi and Urdu poetic journey. The list of contributors and editors is continuously growing. As reported by the portal itself - "...And, when he discovered a literary soul within, that called itself Barbar Ghazipuri, this portal just became a natural outcome of his love for Shairi, Ghazal or Nazm." The team currently involves several editors, IT enthusiasts, lawyers and volunteers from some different parts of world. Urduwala.com aims to bring the Urdu and Hindi speaking community together in creation, recitation and felicitation of Language loving people.
7. A YouTube channel named GhazalGaah often published his works. GhazalGaah originated from two words of Urdu language. AaramGaah, in Urdu, means a place to rest. As described by Barbar Ghazipuri, the channel is one place where his Ghazals can rest and be in a comfort zone. GhazalGaah Channel is created as a result of his inquisition to explore the potential use of YouTube as a launching pad for his creative writing career. The posts are said to be not limited to Urdu only. Barbar writes in several languages including English, Hindi, Urdu, Pushto, and French. So, he has tried to unleash the talents in all the languages he is ProFicient with. The channel is presently under beta mode and contents are to be uploaded soon
Understanding and analysing the works of Barbar Ghazipuri
As said by Barbar himself, "Let us enjoy the charm of Hindi-Urdu together!!", it seems that the works of Barbar Ghazipuri is equal in content charm and richness in both the languages. Someone might add specific reviews here.
Famous Lines or Shairis of Barbar
जो मुमकिन था नहीं ख्वाबों को पूरा करना ए बरबर
हमारे बस में था दिल को हमारे बाँध के रखना
Another one from his Ghazal, "Baat itni hi hai...":
baat itni hi hai samjhane aur samajhne ki
samjhe hai wohi jo chahe hai samajhne ki
In Urdu script it is as follows:
بات اتنی ہی ہے سمجھانے اور سمجھنے کی
سمجھے ہے ووہی جو چاہے ہے سمجھنے کی
Another one about his own state of heart, Barbar says:
abr-e-bahaar aayi, na hi deed-e-khunbaar
tukhm-e-khwahish muft hi botaa dil mera
That is :
अब्र-ए-बहार आई, ना ही दीद- ए- खूंबार
तुख्म-ए-ख्वाहिश मुफ्त ही बोता दिल मेरा
He continues in the same Ghazal in the same mood:
ना उतरे हिजाब सब पे ख़ानमां- ख़राब का
पैमानों मे ही छलके है पैमाना दिल मेरा
From his lines, it seems to be evident that ache of his heart was unbearable. Let us see when Barbar writes:
Kabhi qismat ki awargi kabhi dil awara hai mera
Labbo luaab yun ke kahin nahi guzara hai mera
Still the so-called 'roomaniyat' is not completely absent from his works. Let's see:
बड़ी मुद्दत पे मिले हो सारे नख़रे करो
आता है जो भी दिल में, सवाल, आने दो
खुल के बोलो, ज़रा देख लूं हिलते लब
आज रुख़ पे ज़रा रंग-ए-गुलाल, आने दो