Hindu Hussaini Poets of India

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi 


"Na Cheez Hun Main, Qaabil-e-Touqeer Nahi
Taqreer Meri Layeq-e-Tehreer Nahi
Kafir Kaho, Mushrik Kaho, Jo Kehna Hai Kehdo
Hindu Hun Magar Dushman-e-Shabbir  Nahi"  

These lines in praise of Hazrat Imam Hussain has not been composed by any Muslim but by a Hindu poet  Gopi Nath Aman. He is not the only one of his kinds as history records many a Hindu poets and writers eulogizing the sublime sacrifice of Imam for the sake of humanity.Their passion for Hussaini poetry exemplifies the message of Islam and Karbala is not for one religion but its appeal is universal and will be kept alive till the fight of right and wrong, evil and virtue and Good and Bad continues in the world. 

One of the most important events in early Muslim history was the battle of Karbala fought in 680 CE with Imam Hussain, grandson of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) sacrificing  his life along with a small band of disciples in a bloody battle against the tyrant Yazid. Since then innumerable pens irrespective of caste,creed and religion, has been recalling his martyrdom in poetic beauty in the form of Marsiyas,Soz,Nauhas,Salam and Qatas. 

“Marsiya” is usually associated with the Muslims who use to recite Marsiya and Nohe during the Month of Moharram to remember and pay tribute to the Ahle Bayt e Rasool (SAW) who sacrificed their lives in Karbala with bravery. But it is amazing to observe that beside many noted Muslim Marsia Nigars the people of other religions also wrote beautiful and inspiring Marsiya.

Marsiya found a congenial soil in Lucknow.During rule of Nawabs and the British and before advent of fanaticism in India,the Hindus were deeply involved in the rituals of Muharram. The attended majalis and also even recited Marsiyas in large number.

Lala Har Prashad's name can be quoted in this context with respect. Every year, he participated with devotion in tazia processions and recited his favourite marsiyas depicting the martyrdom of Hazrat Abbas.

Tika Ram was a potter. Out of his devotion for Imam Hussein (AS) he had made a Tazia of clay. This Tazia was exhibited every year on the night of Muharram 10 and was always a centre of attraction for the mourners.He used to recite elegiac poetry before his Tazia.  

Apart from well-known Munshi Channu Lal “Dilgir”,India has to her credit of producing a number of Hindu poets like Pandat Ishwari Parshad, Pandit Dehalvi , Hakim Channu Mal Hafiz Dehlvi, Maharaja Balvan Singh, Dilu Ram Koshri, Rai Singh Nath Fraki, Nathoni Lal Dhawan, Nanak Chand Khatri, Roop Kumari Kanwer, Baba Krishan Gopal Mehroom, Narain Das Talib Dehalvi, Jain Gohar Dehlavi, Vishv Nath Parshad, Mathur Lakhnavi, Chandar Bhari Lal, Saba Jaipuri, Guru Saran Lal Adeeb, Pandat Raghunath Sahu Umeed, Rajindar Nath Shaida, Javed Vashisht, Rai Bhadur Uthar Deen, Drishan Singh Dagal, Pandit Labhu Ram Josh Malsiyani, Gopi Nath Aman, Om Parkash Sahir, Kunwar Mahindar Singh Baidi, Parshad Munawar and Ram Rao and the legacy continues with Rajendra Tewari of Kanpur and Mridul of Lucknow.