Chehlum in 'Mehr-E-Fughaan' of Fikr Lakhnavi

Cover Page of Mehr-E-Fughaan

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Syed Wirasat Ali Rizvi ‘Fikr’ Lakhnavi also figures among the forgotten Shora-Ahle-Bait-E-Athar (Poets who write only for Prophet Muhammad and his progeny).Born in 1892 in Lucknow (India), he belonged to an eminent family of physicians. Fikr also followed the family tradition. He joined a Doctor as his assistant and began his own practice after gaining proficiency. In 1955 edition of his Bayaz(Note Book) titled ‘Mehr-E-Fughaan’ ,Fikr has said “  "My life was full of so many worries and hardships that 'Biradaram' Maulvi Syed Zafar Husain Sahab gave me the nickname Fikr' (worry). The poet has also lamented that he could not get mental peace and spare time that the poetry requires and talks about  the encouragement given to him by  Padam Bhushan Nawab Jafar Ali Khan Asar Lakhnavi. He owes the publication of his Bayaz to Asar Sahib and regrets that he could not produce much elegiac poetry as a result of his different constraints.

In 920, he got the opportunity to visit the holy shrines of Imam Hussain and other martyrs of Karbala following his posting in Basra(Iraq) as member of a medical team. After his return, he longed to return to Karbala and also wished to be buried there. But he died of cancer on September 10, 1959 and his mortal remains rest in Talkatora ki Karbala in Lucknow. ’Mehr-E-Fughaan’ contains elegiac poetry from Chand Raat(Sighting of Muharram Moon) to the martyrdom of Imam Hasan Askari .His language is simple but full of pathos. An idea about his poetry can be formed from his composition on Chehlum:

“Jahaan Mein Aaj ibne Saqiye Kausar ka Chehlum Hai

Qateel'e Raah' E HAQ, Sardar-E- Bhar Bar KA Chehlum Hai

Rahi Jalti Zameen Par Laash Jis Mazloom KI Uryan

Usi Shaahe doAaalam, Kushtaey Khanjar ka Chehlum Hai

Jo Saqqaey Sakina Aur Alambardare Lashkar Tha

UsiSI Dilbande Haider , Ghaazio Safdar Ka Chehlum Hai

Qalam Shaaney Huey Darya Pa Jisko, Roaze Aashoora

Karo Matam Ke Aaj Uss Saaniye Jafar Ka Chehlum Hai

Sinaan Seene Pe Kha Ke, Jis Ne Apni Jaan Di Ran Mein

Usi Noor E Nigaahe Shaahe Deen, Akbar Ka Chehlum Hai

Jawaani Roegi Jis Par Qayamat Tak Zamaane Mein

Usi  Karyal  Jawaan Humshakle Paighambar  Ka Chehlum Hai

Na Jo Pushte Paras Par, Kamsini,Se Baith Sakta Tha

Zamaane Mein Usi Lakhte Dile Shabbar Ka Chehlum Hai

Shujaat' Aur Ghairat, Jis Ke Sin Par Fakhr Kahti Thi

Usi Naashado Kamsin, Qasim'E Murtaza Ka Chehlum Hai

Barhaaya Doodh Jiska Hurmula Ne, Apne Paikan Se

Azeezon Aaj Uss Naadaan, Ali Asghar Ka Chehlum Hai

Hua Tha Qatl Jo  Nusrat-E- Shaahe Do  Aalam Mein

Uraoo Khaak Aaj Un Ghaazio Safdar Ka Chehlum Hai

Tujhe Aey Fikr Jiski Qabr Par Jaane Ki Hasrat Hai

Usi Mazloom, Tashna Lab, Shahe Be Sar Ka Chehlum Hai “

The closing couplet indicates his desire to be at the shrine of Imam Hussain. The credit for writing his elegiac poetry in English script goes to the creator of a website on Fikr or else his poetry too would have become untraceable.(Reference available on request.Photo Courtesy google Image)