February 17, 2019 |
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Accomplished bard Mullah Asadullah Wajhi’s magnum opus ‘Qutb Mushtari’ gives a detailed account of Quli Qutb Shah's dalliance with Bhagmati
If the Indo-Islamic architecture scaled heights of greatness, literary activity also peaked during the Qutb Shahi reign. And Mulla Asadullah Wajhi, without question, was the tallest of the litterateurs. A contemporary of the fifth king, Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah, he enjoyed the honour of being the Malik-us-Shora (king of poets).
What is unique about Wajhi is that he could write with effortless ease both poetry and prose. Besides Deccani, he was proficient in Persian too and has left a voluminous literature in that language. In fact, researchers discovered his real name being Asadullah from his Persian poetry while he used Wajhi as his takhallus (pen name). This accomplished poet witnessed the rule of four kings. He was born in Golconda during the reign of Ibrahim Qutb Shah while his poetry flowered during the period of his son, Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah. However, Wajhi went into obscurity and was almost forgotten when Mohammed Qutb Shah, nephew of the Hyderabad founder, assumed power. He regained prominence once again when Abdullah Qutb Shah became the king and got access to the shahi darbar.
The literary works of Wajhi includes the legendary Masnavi poem, Qutb Mushtari. This apart, he also authored Sabras, an allegorical tale. It enjoys a unique position in the Urdu literature for being the first narrative in prose which is non-religious in character. Wajhi has presented everyday events and also held forth on moral and ethical values with such expertise that Sabras qualifies to be a literary treatise. His other book of prose, Tajul Haqaiq, deals with Sufism (Tasawwuf). These works figure among the earliest specimen of Deccani Urdu.
The magnum opus, Qutb Mushtari, gives a detailed account of Quli Qutb Shah’s dalliance with Bhagmati. It is considered one of the best among ancient Urdu books for its figurative expression, lucid style and profundity of thought. The Masnavi, which runs into more than thousand verses, was written in 1609 in just 12 days. In this poem Wajhi names the king’s beloved as Mushtari, a Bengali princess, just to divert his attention from Bhagmati. A perusal of this poem also evokes memories of the Qutb Shahi dynasty as it throws light on different aspects of day to day life those days.
In the preface to the ballad, Wajhi has presented a critical argument on what constitutes good shayeri. The verse, he says, should be simple and easy to comprehend. It should have a unique flavour and fragrance with words and their import striking a perfect bond. It’s no use if the verse doesn’t pull the heart-strings and fails to move the listeners.
Jo berabt bole to batyan pachchese
Bhala hai jo ek baat bole salees
In his poem Wajhi takes potshots at his contemporary poets, particularly Ghavai, who was growing in popularity. He also lavishes praise on the Deccan region in the Masnavi. The description of Telangana in his inimitable style remains popular to this day. Sample this verse:
Deccan sa nahi thar sansar main
Banj fazalan ka hai is thar main
Deccan hai nageena, angoothi hai jag
Angoothi ko hurmat nageena hi lag
Deccan mulk kun dhan ajab saaj hai
Ke sab mulk sarhur Deccan taj hai
Deccan mulk bahutich khassa hai
Telangana iska khulassa hai
Comparable to the Deccan, there is no place on earth;
Indeed to innumerable intellectuals it has given birth.
The Deccan is a gem, the world a ring;
And verily the gem makes it a worthy thing.
Amazing grandeur to the Deccan nation brings renown;
For all other nations together wear the Deccan as a crown.
The Deccan – a land of dazzling luminescence,
And Telangana verily is its essence (Sajjad Shahid)
However, in spite of the royal patronage he enjoyed, Wajhi fell off grace during the reign of Mohammed Qutb Shah, the 6th king. In one of his ghazals, Wajhi bemoans his fate and dire financial straits. There were days when he almost starved but kept his honour and refused to seek help. This touching poem captures his bad times vividly:
Jalne ku is shame par aashiq ho hum rakhiya hun
Parwane ke qadam par aakar qadam rakhiya hun
Bhuka hun kar kisi kun main haat nai pasyara
Aapas ku aap khakar apni sharam rakhiya hun
The last abode of Wajhi is believed to be in the premises of Sufi saint, Hazrat Barhana Shah’s dargah in Hyderabad. However, nobody has been able to identify his grave yet.
If the Indo-Islamic architecture scaled heights of greatness, literary activity also peaked during the Qutb Shahi reign. And Mulla Asadullah Wajhi, without question, was the tallest of the litterateurs. A contemporary of the fifth king, Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah, he enjoyed the honour of being the Malik-us-Shora (king of poets).
What is unique about Wajhi is that he could write with effortless ease both poetry and prose. Besides Deccani, he was proficient in Persian too and has left a voluminous literature in that language. In fact, researchers discovered his real name being Asadullah from his Persian poetry while he used Wajhi as his takhallus (pen name). This accomplished poet witnessed the rule of four kings. He was born in Golconda during the reign of Ibrahim Qutb Shah while his poetry flowered during the period of his son, Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah. However, Wajhi went into obscurity and was almost forgotten when Mohammed Qutb Shah, nephew of the Hyderabad founder, assumed power. He regained prominence once again when Abdullah Qutb Shah became the king and got access to the shahi darbar.
The literary works of Wajhi includes the legendary Masnavi poem, Qutb Mushtari. This apart, he also authored Sabras, an allegorical tale. It enjoys a unique position in the Urdu literature for being the first narrative in prose which is non-religious in character. Wajhi has presented everyday events and also held forth on moral and ethical values with such expertise that Sabras qualifies to be a literary treatise. His other book of prose, Tajul Haqaiq, deals with Sufism (Tasawwuf). These works figure among the earliest specimen of Deccani Urdu.
The magnum opus, Qutb Mushtari, gives a detailed account of Quli Qutb Shah’s dalliance with Bhagmati. It is considered one of the best among ancient Urdu books for its figurative expression, lucid style and profundity of thought. The Masnavi, which runs into more than thousand verses, was written in 1609 in just 12 days. In this poem Wajhi names the king’s beloved as Mushtari, a Bengali princess, just to divert his attention from Bhagmati. A perusal of this poem also evokes memories of the Qutb Shahi dynasty as it throws light on different aspects of day to day life those days.
In the preface to the ballad, Wajhi has presented a critical argument on what constitutes good shayeri. The verse, he says, should be simple and easy to comprehend. It should have a unique flavour and fragrance with words and their import striking a perfect bond. It’s no use if the verse doesn’t pull the heart-strings and fails to move the listeners.
Jo berabt bole to batyan pachchese
Bhala hai jo ek baat bole salees
In his poem Wajhi takes potshots at his contemporary poets, particularly Ghavai, who was growing in popularity. He also lavishes praise on the Deccan region in the Masnavi. The description of Telangana in his inimitable style remains popular to this day. Sample this verse:
Deccan sa nahi thar sansar main
Banj fazalan ka hai is thar main
Deccan hai nageena, angoothi hai jag
Angoothi ko hurmat nageena hi lag
Deccan mulk kun dhan ajab saaj hai
Ke sab mulk sarhur Deccan taj hai
Deccan mulk bahutich khassa hai
Telangana iska khulassa hai
Comparable to the Deccan, there is no place on earth;
Indeed to innumerable intellectuals it has given birth.
The Deccan is a gem, the world a ring;
And verily the gem makes it a worthy thing.
Amazing grandeur to the Deccan nation brings renown;
For all other nations together wear the Deccan as a crown.
The Deccan – a land of dazzling luminescence,
And Telangana verily is its essence (Sajjad Shahid)
However, in spite of the royal patronage he enjoyed, Wajhi fell off grace during the reign of Mohammed Qutb Shah, the 6th king. In one of his ghazals, Wajhi bemoans his fate and dire financial straits. There were days when he almost starved but kept his honour and refused to seek help. This touching poem captures his bad times vividly:
Jalne ku is shame par aashiq ho hum rakhiya hun
Parwane ke qadam par aakar qadam rakhiya hun
Bhuka hun kar kisi kun main haat nai pasyara
Aapas ku aap khakar apni sharam rakhiya hun
The last abode of Wajhi is believed to be in the premises of Sufi saint, Hazrat Barhana Shah’s dargah in Hyderabad. However, nobody has been able to identify his grave yet.
J.S.Ifthekhar,
Hyderabad based journalist.
Article published in Telangana Today
Dated February 17, 2019
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