FIRAQ - POET OF CONTRADICTION AND BEAUTY

Firaq Gorakhpuri born Raghupati Sahai on 28 August 1896 was perhaps among the greatest Urdu poets of the 20th Century! His personality was also as great as his poetic works.

- HIMANSHU DHULIYA

Firaq Gorakhpuri born Raghupati Sahai on 28 August 1896 was perhaps among the greatest Urdu poets of the 20th Century! His personality was also as great as his poetic works. Scholar, intellectual of a very high order, voracious reader of wide subjects, keen observer of society and world affairs. An animated and engaging conversationalist all life. Honoured with Gyanpeeth Award, Sahitya Academy Award and Padma Bhushan.

A much awarded student for his academic brilliance he was among the toppers of the Post graduate examinations of the state and as per the policy of that time he was appointed Deputy Collector of a District! However the freedom struggle movement under Gandhiji was engulfing the nation and after about one and half year in job he resigned and joined the non-cooperation movement, was jailed for a year and half, during this time he came into contact with Jawaharlal Nehru and helped him in his secretarial duties. However when his father died suddenly and elder brother also passed away the entire burden of the family fell on him and took job as Lecturer of English Literature at university of Allahabad and remained in the Bank road house of the campus life long, till 03 March 1982. He had attained status of a legend in his life time and his admirers from all over the country would visit him and various stories and myths have remained in circulation.

Unfortunately, in his case the stories surrounding him have taken precedence over his work and therefore the depth, range and beauty of his creative genius have not reached the people to whom he belongs.