Mahmood Zaki: Introduction

Mahmood Zaki was an eminent poet, writer, translator, journalist and reformer. He was a great scholar not only of Urdu, Persian and Hindi, but also of Sanskrit literature. He was born on 24^th December, 1924 in Ujjain. His father Mr. Syed Peer Ali was a Sufi sent with great literary and academic characteristics.

Mahmood Zaki began his poetic journey with writing Ghazals. The early imprints of his Ghazal compositions are there in a collection of verses of the selected Urdu poets of Madhya Pradesh entitle, “Naqoosh” (Imprints), which was published in 1953 his Ghazals reflect is respect for literary traditions and also cover the modern topics. Along with the experience and emotions of love, the description of different social, political and international issues is found in his poetry in a very straightforward manner with a distinct style. The canvass of his verses his quite wide and vivid. He believed not in the ideology of art for the art’s sake but rather in the philosophy of the art for life’s sake. He portrays the true pictures of the issues of his time. The freshness of thoughts and truthfulness of feelings is evident in his verses. His poems are full of patriotism and valour. There is a message in them. He is basically a ….? Poet. He wrote Hamd, Naat, Qataat, Rubaiat and many other poems on various historical and religious places reflecting his devotion and respect for them. His love for the colourful city of Ujjain is effectively expressed by him in his famous song, “Tarana-e-Ujjain”, which is musically recited in the cultural programmes and schools of the city along with the “Madhya Pradesh Gaan.” “Aitbar” and “Naye Charagh Jalao” are the famous collection of his verses. “Such Kehna Sooli Chadhna Hai” is a collection of his verses in Devnagri script. The aspirations, vigour and — of life are there in his poetry. He is a poet with a message. In his couplets you will find the desire for a better and brighter future. The sufferings of the community and the nation simultaneously find expression in his letters. He knows the art of presenting truthfully the love and the realities of life.

Mahmood Zaki took up the mission of eradicating the educational and social backwardness of the people, particularly of the Muslims of Madhya Pradesh. He played a crucial role in the formation of all India Muslim Education Society in different cities and towns of the state. Zaki did a very significant work in the context of women education and adult education in the Ujjain city. He took up the editorial responsibilities of such epoch making Urdu magazines and journals as “Mahaul”, “Naya Samaj” and “Shola-o-Shabnam.” He compiled a special issue of “Shola-o-Shabnam” on classical Sanskrit poet Kalidas. On the occasion of Kalidas Samaroh, while releasing that special issue of “Shola-o-Shabnam” Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru expressed his admiration and happiness on this exclusive work in the Urdu language in Ujjain. Based on the creative work of Kalidas, Mr. Zaki’s book “Kaldidas: Aik Mutalea” (Kalidas: A Study) was a very much appreciated in the literary circles of the Indo-Pak subcontinent. He was an excellent interpreter, eminent journalist, columnist and intellectual. Vikram-o-Urwashi and Hritushranghar where given the Urdu panorama by him.

In short the great exponent of the composite culture and emotional integration, Mr. Zaki devoted his entire life for the educational and reformative work and for promotion of the Urdu language and literature. On 3^rd May 2008 Mahmood Zaki left his mortal world for ever but the Urdu knowing people of the country especially the people belonging to Madhya Pradesh will never be able to forget the work of this multi dimensional role model personality of the city of Ujjain.