Syed Mahmood Khundmiri

Syed Mahmood Talib Khundmiri
Born	(1938-02-14)14 February 1938 Bidar, Karnataka, India
Died	16 January 2011(2011-01-16) (aged 72) Lonavla, Maharashtra, India
Nationality	Indian
Influences Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib, and Allama Iqbal

Syed Mahmood Khundmiri (Urdu: سید محمود خوندمیری ‎) (known popularly by his takhallus Talib; born 14 February 1938; died of cardiac arrest on 16 January 2011, in Pune, Maharashtra, India)^[1] was an Indian Urdu language poet, humorist, architect, artist, orator, and one of the leading Urdu poets of the 20th and 21st centuries. Mahmood concentrated on humorous poetry, and was considered among the elite of Urdu humor.^[2]

Mahmood was born in Donegal Bidar, Karnataka, India. In addition to his own writing career, he was involved in many organizations. He was one of the senior most member of Zinda Dalaan-E Hyderabad^[3] (a grass-roots arts and humor group) and served on its executive board from 1963 to 2011. He also served on the executive board of Shugoofa,^[4] an Urdu periodical, for more than 40 years. Talib, a pseudonym given to him by his peers, combined poetry with both sarcasm and humor.^[2] Known for his elevated style and tone in the world of Urdu literature, he combined life experiences with his artistic gifts as a versatile poet and architect.^[5]

Family

Wife: Syeda Ayesha Khundmiri. Children: Syeda Salma Khundmiri (Resides in Canada), Syed Zeeshan Khundmiri (Resides in India, Businessman), Syed Irfan Khundmiri, (Resides in U.S, Gemologist), Syed Faizan Khundmiri (Resides in U.S, Data Architect), Syeda Afreen Khundmiri^[6] (Resides in U.S, Compliance Audit Analyst) and Syeda Yasmeen Khundmiri (Resides in U.S)

Early life

Childhood

Mahmood's grandfather, Syed Miran, was his mentor and the most ardent supporter. Mahmood spent most of his childhood with his grandfather who was an accomplished home builder. Mira sahab inspired Mahmood to become an architect and In 1963 Mahmood earned his Architectural degree.^[7] He recited his first poem about his grandfather when he was 12 years old and upon his grandfather's encouragement started writing poems. He was a talented man just like his grandfather. He participated in many competitions during his school and college days and won many awards.

Education

Mahmood attended school in Musheerabad where he lived for 16 years before moving to Chanchalguda on May 31, 1963. He was a versatile man and participated in many extra-curricular activities during his academic career. He also played football with his senior school mate,^[8] Syed Nayeemuddin, who was a former Captain and a couch of Indian National football team. He enrolled in the Jawaharlal Nehru Fine Arts and Architecture University^[9] in Hyderabad and earned his architecture degree with the License No 35. He was also elected as " FELLOW OF INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS"^[10] on May 16, 1992 by INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS with the Registered serial No 1716.

Career

Writings

Mahmood's poetry and writing career started when he was 12 years. In his college days he and his few friends started a magazine and organization called^[11] Bazm-E-Urdu and won Basheerunnissa basher memorial ruling trophy. He was a gifted writer and a poet. He has written many articles in^[12] Munsif Urdu daily newspaper weekly column called Turfa tamasha. He has also written a book called Sukhan Ke Parde Mein and now this book is used as a curriculum in Shimoga^[13] university of Karnataka. When Talib was seventeen, one of his close relatives Alam Khundmiri,^[14] (an important intellectual figure and a dynamic writer of his time) has correctly anticipated that he will be an amazing poet and a writer in future.^[15]

Khatmalon ki faryaad is one of his famous Nazms which was translated in English. The verses are as follows:

Ek din ek jonk se kuch khatmalon ne yeh kaha Dijiye khala hame bhi koi aisa mashwara Ab Bajaye khoon koi aur hi shaey pi sakein Admi se door rehkar ham Khushi se jee sakein Kyunki iss me khoon ab kam kam hi paya jaye hai Ab na choosa jaye hai isko na chaata jaye hai Iski sheeryanon me yu toh khoon milta hi nahi Mil bhi Jata hai toh iss me zayqa kuch bhi nahi Kaun jaane kya bala khane laga hai admi Kis milawat ki ghiza khane laga hai admi Hum Jo peete hain usey khoon maannaa bekaar hai Kyunki iska rang bhi pehchanna dushwaar hai Isme surqi se zyada hai safedi aajkal Khoon ki surat hogayi hai doodh ki si aajkal Ek zamana tha ke hamne khoon ke darya bhi piye Aaj Ghanton choostey hain ek khatre ke liye Kya kahein khala hamari pyaas bhujti hi nahi Isse pehle yeh girani khoon ki thi hi nahi Ab haseeno ki rago mein bhi ab lahu bakhi nahi Inki mehfilon mein bhi koi khoon bhara sakhi nahi Pehle Inka khoon hua karta tha manind sharab Yu mahekta tha rago me jaise gulshan me gulab Choostey hi inko apna bhi nikharta tha shabab Ek nayi karvat badalta tha badan me aztarab Booye khono se mast ho kar jhoomne lagte they hum Apni apni khatmaliyo ko choomne lagte they hum Hogaye hain aajkal woh naujawaan bhi badmazaa Jinki sheeryano mein behti thi kabhi joo-ye tila Jinka khoon peete hi aksar mauj me aate the hum Moo lagte hi jinhe sar-shar hojate they hum Ab unhi ko choos kar bimar padjate hai hum Sukh jatey hain,sukad jatey hain,sad jatey hain hum Ab kahan tak hum karein apne ghamo ka tazkera Kuch Dino pehle hamare saath aisa bhi hua Phoot Nikli thi hamare jism se gaanje ki boo Peeliyaa tha bhool kar humne Jo hippi ka lahoo Kya kahein kya kya balaa,kya khahar unke khoon me hai Tiktweenty se zyada zehar unke khoon me hai Apni sari chashni khone laga hai admi Haye! Kitna be-maza hone laga hai admi Sun chuki hai khatmalon ki dastani tishnagi Ek adaaye khoon chakaan se jonk yeh kehne lagi Aaj tak tune piya hai sirf janta ka lahu Ab Zara pi kar toh dekho ek neta ka lahu Ab toh mera bhi guzara hai inhi ke khoon par Kya bataoon mai ke isme zaiqa hai kis qadar Unka khoon pikar bahot maqmoor hojati hoon Mai Aam jonko ke ghamo se door ho jati hoon Mai Mu lagte hi unhe chalaak hojati hoon Mai Be-zarurat hi sahi be-bak hojati hoon mai Unki har shiryaan hoti hai khazana khoon ka Ek ek neta hai goya karkhana khoon ka Kis qadar Khush zaiqa hota hai un sab ka lahu Bhooki janta ka lahu bhi kuch lahu hai,aakh! Thoo! Ek bhi khatrra kisi Neta ka Jo paa jayega Usko janta ke lahu ka bhi maza aajayega!!		One day some bugs asked a leech Aunty what alternative do you suggest So that instead of blood we could have something else That would keep us away from the humans Because now very less blood flows in his veins Neither can we suck nor lick We can hardly find any blood in them Even if it is, it is so tasteless Who knows what man has begun to eat What adulterated food is he taking What we drink cannot be called blood Because, we can’t make out even its color It’s rather white than red It is more like milk than blood There was a time we drank rivers of blood Today we suck for hours just for a pint What to say aunty our thirst doesn’t quench at all In fact, earlier the blood was not so dear. Now there is no blood even in the veins of the damsels In their gathering indeed there is no cup-bearer Earlier their blood was like wine That used to fill veins with sweet smell like roses blooming in garden The moment we sucked them we felt younger again Our restlessness took a new turn in our body Its fragrance used to take us into trance And we used to kiss madly our mate-bugs in ecstasy Nowadays those youngsters have also become tasteless In whose veins used to flow a stream of gold Sucking them we used to get excited And used to be enraptured by a mere kiss Now we fall ill sucking them We become withered, Shrunk and rotten How far shall we describe about our sorrows Some days ago it so happened Foul smell had burst out from our body For we had sucked, by chance, the blood of a hippy What to say what the hell is in their blood It’s more poisonous than tick twenty Man has been losing all his flavors Oh! How much tasteless has he become When the woeful story of the thirsty bugs was over The leech opened out with its bleeding mouth Till today you have been sucking the blood of the people Now try a little the blood of a leader Now I too live on their blood Oh! I can’t say how tasty it is It makes me intoxicated And keeps me away from the common leeches. The moment I touch them with my mouth I become shrewd And uncalled for, I become dauntless Every vein of theirs is a pool of blood Verily every leader is its factory Oh! How tasty is their blood Is the blood of the starving poor any blood, pooh? He who could suck the blood of a leader Would as well savour people’s blood

Poetry

Dileep Kumar and Saira Banu in the audience

Classical poetry, at that time was entirely in Persian. Eager to learn Farsi, Mahmood assisted with household chores for an elderly Farsi teacher in return for lessons. Many of his poeties were published in newspapers of Hyderabad such as Munsif, Saisat,^[16] Deccan Chronicle^[17] and Times of India.^[18] In the 1970s and 80s, he was also invited in many Urdu mushairas and Sham-e-qhazals on

Doordarshan.^[19] As he grew older, Mahmood started participating in Urdu poetry competitions and forums and quickly rose to be one of the most acclaimed poets of Zinda Dalaan-E Hyderabad.^[20] Many celebrities such as, Zail Singh, Dileep Kumar, Ajit Kumar, Kaifi Azmi and many other celebrities have attended his Mushairas.

As a poet, Mahmood was recognized on the^[21] international level, attending and receiving recognition at several mushairas.^[22][23]

He was also one of the eminent participants and general secretary of World Humor Conference held in February 1985^[24] at Lal Bahadur stadium, Hyderabad. His poetry has been compared to that of the legendary poet, Mirza Ghalib.

Architect

Mahmood began his career as an architect in BHEL from 1964 to 1976. He started his own firm called S.M Associates at King Kothi, Hyderabad in 1976 and designed over 500 masjids around the world. Since he was a modest and genuine man he never showed off his work.

One of Talib Khundmiri's design Masjid-e-Hassa, located at Hafiz Babanagar Hyderabad.

He never profited from his designs as he considered this to be religious philanthropy. He never advertised his work or put any kind of holding with his name on it, on any project. Apart from religious designs, he designed high rises, commercial buildings, hospitals and family homes. His architectural marvels have been compared to that of Mimar Sinan.^[2]

Artist

Parvez Yadullah Mehdi's book cover designed by Talib Khundmiri

His artistic talent combined architectural abilities with his ability to connect with people thru his poetry. He has made hundreds of paintings and calligraphies thru his life. Many of his artworks were bought by Muslim families when they were exhibited in Chicago.

one of Talib Khundmiri's Mural design

One of Talib Khundmiri's calligraphy arts

He also designed many title covers for books for other writers. Parvez Yadullah Mehdi's^[25] book cover page is one of the example of his design.

Tribute

The Standing Committee of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has approved the proposal submitted by Malakpet MLA Ahmed Bin Abdullah Balala, of renaming the Chanchalguda-Malakpet road as “Talib Khundmiri road” to give him a tribute. Hz. Talib Khundmiri Sahab touched many in a positive way through his poetry, calligraphy and his architecture. With humor he brought us together and through his designs allowed us to experience art and culture.

See also

• List of Urdu poets
• Chanchalguda
• Kaifi Azmi
• Urdu literature
• Urdu poetry
• List of Indian poets
• List of poets

Articles on Talib Khundmiri

• Talib Khundmiri: Humorous poet Talib Khundmiri passes away - Wajid, The Saisat Urdu News paper, Monday,^[26] Jan 17 2011.
• Talib Khundmiri: A tribute paid to Talib Khundmiri - By Dr Mujahid Ghazi, Pakistan Link, Chicago, Monday, Jan^[27] 17 2011.

References

External links

• Official website