Tag Archives: Hafiz Karnataki

Saifi Sironji: A versatile litterateur

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Pigrani Kheda Village (Sironj – Vidisha District) , MADHYA PRADESH :

Saifi Sironji has been actively vibrant in the literary horizon of Urdu literature for last umpteen years. In the fields of criticism, research, journalism and poetry Saifi Sironji’s dedicated services are worth to be noted. Saifi Sironji was born in 1953 in Pigrani Mahu Kheda village of Sironj MP.

He has spent his entire childhood in his native village and was much attracted towards Bollywood movies right from his early childhood. His forefathers were from Gadhi clan who actually occupied higher ranks in the army of King Mahmud Ghori.

People of Gadhi clan (Rajputs) had reverted to Islam after losing the battle against Prithvi Raj Chouhan. Bravery, hard work and hospitality is the hallmark of Gadhi clan. People of Gadhi clan were almost illiterate and mostly were associated with rearing of cattle.

At the age of six Saifi Sironji’s grandfather sent him to a Madrassa to memorize the glorious Quran. After memorising some Parahs (juzz/ chapters) of holy Quran, he left the Madrasa only to waste time in watching movies and listening to songs. His passion of listening to songs compelled him to work in a Bidi manufacturing factory where the sound of Radio always pleased him.

This Bidi manufacturing unit belonged to famous poet Dilkash Sagri. In this unit, regular literary and poetic events were held in which prominent poets and litterateurs from all over India would participate. Maximum participants among the audience were unlettered but still they remembered hundreds of poetic couplets.

He too used to read the magazine and journals of Urdu which were meant for Dilkash Sagri viz Kitaab, Shabkhoon, Subah Adab and Shaayir. After going through these books of literature, Saifi Sironji also developed an interest in poetry thus went ahead to compose poetic couplets. Once an all India naatiya mushaira was organised which he too attended and it was his maiden participation in a literary event.

In Bidi manufacturing unit, apart from traditional job he would read some novels of Naseem Hijazi eg, Akhri Maurka Akhri Chatan, Dastani Mujahid, Yousuf Bin Tashkin, Shaheen and Aur Talwar Toot Gayi etc during literary functions. In Bidi manufacturing unit once he thoroughly read Sadiq Sarhandi’s famous novel Aftabi Alam.

He was so impressed by this masterpiece that he composed a 70 lined poem depicting the life of companions of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Later on he composed some naats which were recited during Milad-un-Nabi during 1970s. With this his poetic items started getting published and in Jarayim for years his Ghazals and Naats were regularly published.

The experience of novel reading during literary events helped him in composing stories also and in high-impact Urdu magazines like Roshni Adab, Filmi Sitare, Tamir, Khatooni Mashriq his stories were given due recognition. When a treasure of books accumulated at his home, he opened a book shop near Nishat Talkies where apart from books, newspapers and magazines too were sold. At his shop then poets assembled all day and night prominent among them were Ismail Zabihi, Talib Irfani, Zia Asadi and Dr Shahid Mir who would recite their poetic items. Saifi would recite five ghazals each day as he was much passionate.

During the times Saifi received his education most of his Gadhi counterparts were almost illiterate and would keep themselves attached to religious literature only. That is why nowadays we see hundreds of Hufaz among the Gadhi clan. Saifi’s real name is Ramzani because he is born on 13th of Ramzan and Saifi is his pen name.

His literary items are presently being published in national and international dailies, weeklies and high-impact Urdu magzines and journals viz Awraq, Makalma, Nigaar, Badban, Kagzi Parahan, Adab Latif, Tashkil, Sadaa, Parwaz,Chaharsu, Takhliq, Roshnayi, Safir Urdu, Nadaib, Jung, Jadid Adab, Hamara Adab Sahil, Suraj etc.

In hundreds of Indian Urdu dailies his writings get featured. In 1969 his first writing got published and till date his creative items are continuously being published in popular dailies, weeklies and monthlies on regular basis. His first poetry collection Roshan Alaw was published in 1985 through the financial aid of MP Urdu academy.

So far Saifi Sironji has published 75 books of different genres. Among them Saifi Sironji Shakhsiyat aur Fun was immensely hailed by the literary world. It is a 500 page compilation in which the author has mentioned the factual and real events of his life. He has left no room for the fabricated and fake information in the book.

Which is the main reason behind the success and popularity of this book alongside the comprehensive language used by Saifi. Saifi Sironji has also written a masterpiece travelogue Sironj se London Tak which was widely hailed by the literary world. About this travelogue famous critic of Pakistan Anwar Sadeed has said “this travelogue is so beautifully written that it has been read by 50 litterateurs and the travelogue is still a travel”.

Writers from Canada and London liked it profoundly. These two books of saifi Sironji were hugely loved by the readers. He has written editorials about Afsana, Novel, Urdu nazm and ghazal for about four years in Intisab Alami which later were published as a collection. Contemporary scholars get benefitted from his writings after they go through them. Although he has written umpteen books on criticism and research but he lacks an interest in research.

While writing regular editorials in Intisab Alami, people themselves have labelled him as a researcher and critic and his poetry has got somehow wrapped. Initially, he has written a good number of short stories also and two of his collections viz Hum Reh Gaye Akele and Ye Zindagi Ke Malei have already seen the light of the day.

When asked about who impressed you most, Saifi Sironji replies “Except Dr Gopichand Narang none has been able to impress me most”. It is through Gopichand Narang’s writings and speeches that Saifi Sironji has reached the level of apex. That is why Saifi Sironji has issued special numbers on Gopichand Narang in both Intisab Alami and Alami Zuban besides composing two books which were recieved with love by the literary world. Saifi Sironji has deep affection with Urdu and infact he doesn’t has a strong hold on any other language. Let’s see his one couplet… Pehli kitab jis ne na dekhi tamam umar, Qudrat Khuda ki sahibi adrak ho gaya.

Saifi Sironji’s dedicated services for Urdu can be accessed from his twin magazines Intisab Alami and Alami Zuban which are regularly published from Sironj MP since 1983. He has issued special numbers on legendary litterateurs viz Bashir Badar, Zafar Gorakhpori, Nida Fazili, Hamidi Kashmiri, Hafiz Karnataki etc in these magzines.

One research scholar has completed his PhD on literary services of Intisab Alami as well. Saifi Sironji feels dejected and disappointed about diminishing number of Urdu readers. He is of the opinion that Urdu is a big gift from Allah which after English is the only global language spoken by wide range of people.

Very fewer people now buy magazines and journals of Urdu which is displeasing. Saifi sites an example of teen aged girl Stuti Agarwal who is a regular subscriber of 30 Urdu magazines. She not only buys them but also reads them and her creative items get regularly published in these magazines. So was her father Anil Agarwal who always purchased books even from his friends. About Urdu language saifi Sironji has composed this couplet…. Tum apne uhad ka wirsa tu kho chuke ho tamam,Jo Bach sake tu ye Urdu zuban rakh lena.

Saifi Sironji has widely toured to outside country. He has attended international seminars in UK for five years and sold hundreds of copies of Intisab Alami there. He also went to Saudi Arabia, America, Holland, Germany and Pakistan to meet litterateurs and poets of international repute. His passion for poetry is reflected from the fact that, to buy a book of Dr Wazir Agha “Urdu shayri ka Mizaj” Saifi Sironji worked continuously for three days and three nights to meet the cost of the book which was merely 75 rupees.

Poets aren’t merely the players who play with the words, but emotions, pains and societal wrongs are reflected in their poetry. Saifi Sironji is an excellent and skilful poet who doesn’t immitat and follow any other, but he is bestowed with a unique style of composing poetry which is widely applauded by the readers. His journey from his childhood to an author of 75 books is really an amazing one.

(The author hails from Qazigund south Kashmir)

source: http://www.kashmirvision.in / Kashmir Vision / Home> KV News / by Rayees Ahmed Kumar / October 11th, 2023

Hafiz Karnatki plays important role in expanding repository of Children’s Literature

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KARNATAKA:

Despite the unprecedented popularity of J.K. Rowling’s fantasy novel series, “Harry Potter’ and Jeffry Kinney’s Wimpy Kid series, it is widely believed that the book faces an existential crisis as the dazzling visual culture will soon make it archaic.

The readership of books on different themes in various genres has stagnated. However, contrary to this, young adult literature seems to be a thing of feathers as it judiciously juxtaposes the elemental art of storytelling with poetic sensibilities. If it is short stories or novels, one can find easy-to-understand text structures,   different focalizations and multiple narrators with strong moral bearings. In the era of book decline culture, the popularity of children’s literature in verse and prose goes beyond geographical boundaries and language barriers.

It is heartening to note that the celebrated Urdu poet Hafiz Karnataki has provided the “sweet spot” to Urdu publishing. It did not happen in the famous centres of Urdu literature and culture –Delhi, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Patna and the like; this remarkable feat was achieved by a poet who lives in Karnataka.   Recently his hundredth book, Baagh e-Atfal (The Garden of Children), was launched in the presence of eminent Urdu authors and poets, including Khaleel Mamoon, Professor Irtiza Kareem, Professor Ejaz Ali Arshad,  Dr Shaista Yusuf, Dr  Dabeer Ahmad, Dr  Abdullah Imtiyaz, and many others during a three-day national conference on children literature held in Shikaripur, Karnataka.

Hafiz  Karnatki, a recipient of the prestigious   Sahitya academy award for children’s literature(Urdu ), is an accomplished poet who uses various verse genres such as Ghazal, Rubaiyee, Masnavi, Nazam and others with equal ease. His evocative and multi-sensory verses covering a plethora of themes indicate the ever-increasing range of creative dexterity. He meticulously rendered the life history of the Prophet in verse for children. He made it a point to explain the moral and ethical contribution of the Prophet to humanity. Perhaps he is the first Urdu poet who blazed a new trail in Urdu’s age-long tradition of hagiography by composing it in verse fully alive to children’s cognitive level and expectations. His two books, Hamare Nabi and Zikre  Nabi, impeccably summarise the life and teachings of the Prophet.

Hafiz Karnataki is fully committed to fulfilling children’s cultural and literary aspirations and produced nursery rhymes, limericks,  short poems and long poems on single topics in a fresh idiom. He gives   credit to children for  his  creative sharpness and cerebral outpourings.” I always strive to stitch up a warm and ceaseless dialogue with young minds, keeping me fresh and mentally alert. Their appreciation and feedback unfailingly hone my writing. As long as this conversation is continued, my literary pursuits bear more fruits,” Hafiz unassumingly asserts.

At the insistence of his young admirers and living up to their expectations, a teacher turned poet  Hafiz Karnatki, who has written forty-six books in prose and sixty in verse, started composing much – admired genre of Urdu poetry, Ghazal for children. He compiled six collections of ghazals titled Massod Ghazlen, Nanhi Munni Ghazlen, Bachoon ki Ghazleyen, Ghazal Saaz,  Shaane ghazal, and Jan e Ghazal. The poet went further ahead and started meticulously setting ghazals to the tunes and Raags cherished by the children by using Urdu prosody. His verses drawing sustenance from religion, traditions, convictions,  cultural, literary and linguistic sensibilities got tremendous applause,  and his poems are popular on social media. His latest collection of exclusive poems praising God, Allaho Ahad, has just hit the stand. His hundredth book,  Baagh-e-Atfal, carries more than one hundred succinct and didactic poems,  zeroes on the topics that directly impact day-to-day life. A distinct tilt towards universal human values and moral framework binds through poems that poignantly harp on different themes. It looks incredible that a person fully trained in traditional knowledge and a scholar of oriental learning has a penchant for new technology. New information technology is an empowering tool that opens its door to all and ushers in a new era of equality. The Internet has subverted the concept of entitled and privileged living, and now everyone is equal as far as the use of technology is concerned. The collection is replete with poems on the tools that shape our lives. Google, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others surface repeatedly. Spelling out how  Instagram lends a  helping hand to its users, Hafiz saheb says, “Tehzeeb bhi yahan hain tammadun ke saath saath/ har shai yahan milegi Tawaazun  ke saath saath (One can find culture and civilization simultaneously here/Everything is available here proportionately). Why Twitter has become the handiest medium, Hafiz poetically reasons out, “Jo baat Dil mein na rakh sakho bol do yahan /aik aik kar ke greyhen khol do yahan (pour out whatever you can not keep it to yourself/ Untie the knots one by one here).

The latest collection of the remarkably prolific poet Hafiz Karnatki  is braced for making an invaluable contribution to children’s literature, and his efforts deserve accolades from all quarters

Shafey Kidwai, a prominent bilingual critic, is a professor of Mass Communication at AMU, Aligarh

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> Featured News / by Shafey Kidwai / March 23rd, 2023

Sahitya Akademi’s Bal Sahitya Puraskar for Hafiz Karnataki

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Shikaripur (Shivamogga District), KARNATAKA :

Hafiz Karnataki of Shikaripur in Shivamogga. 

The Urdu writer was chosen for his work Fakr-E-Watan

Shikaripur-based Urdu writer Hafiz Karnataki has been chosen for Sahitya Akademi’s Bal Sahitya Puraskar of 2020. He received the award for his book Fakr-E-Watan, a work on freedom fighters of India.

Mr. Karnataki, 57, began his literary career as a poet in the 1980s and later turned towards writing for children. So far, he has brought out 94 books. He has translated many vacahanas of Basavanna and Akkamahadevi and writings of Kuvempu into Urdu.

Born into a family of teachers, he developed an interest in literature at a young age. He became a teacher at a government primary school in 1987 and worked at different places before resigning from the job in 2006.

Now he looks after his educational institution, which provides education to 3,000 girls at Shikaripura. He also worked as chairman of Karnataka Urdu Academy. A couple of students have done PhDs on his literature. Considering his contribution to the field of literature, Gulbarga University honoured him with an honorary doctorate in 2013.

After the Sahitya Akademi announced the award on Friday, he received calls from different parts of the country congratulating him. “I am getting congratulatory messages from many people. First among those called me were the scholars who did study my literature for PhD,” he told The Hindu on the phone.

Mr. Karnataki wants to hit a century by bringing out six more books soon, as he has already published 94 works. “Children of the present generation are more intelligent than me. I wish to write for them on values they have to inculcate at a young age,” he said. The award carries a cash prize of ₹50,000, besides a memento.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Hassan – March 14th, 2021