Remembering Kaifi Azmi ji 1919-2002

An eleven year old boy got himself invited to a mushaira and over there recited a couplet of a ghazal, that extraordinary child was Kaifi Azmi. He  was born on 14th January 1919 in a Zamindar family in Mijwan, Azamgarh. He wrote his first ghazal ‘Itna to zindagi mein kisi ki khalal pade’ at the age of eleven.
He joined the Communist Party at the age of 19, and started writing for the party’s paper, ‘Qaumi Jung’ and moved to Bombay.
He wrote his first lyric for the film Buzdil directed by Shahid Lateef in 1952. His noted film songs are from Shama, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Shola Aur Shabnam, Anupama, Aakhri Khat, Haqeeqat, Hanste Zakhm, Arth etc. Apart from writing songs, he also wrote Chetan Anand’s film Heer Ranjha entirely in verse and created history in dialogue writing.
Kaifi Azmi was a rare poet who practiced what he preached. For the last twenty years of his life Kaifi Azmi lived in Mijwan, the tiny village in Uttar Pradesh he was born in. In a span of 20 years he transformed Mijwan from a village in oblivion to a model village. He set up an NGO Mijwan Welfare Society that runs :
Kaifi Azmi Higher Secondary School for girls
Kaifi Azmi Inter-College for girls
Kaifi Azmi Computer Training Centre
Kaifi Azmi Embroidery and Sewing Centre for Women.

In recognition of his efforts as a catalyst for social change, the U.P. Govt. named the road leading to Mijwan Kaifi Azmi Road and the Highway from Sultanpur to Phulpur the Kaifi Azmi Highway.The government of India has named the train from Delhi to Azamgarh “Kaifiyaat Express” in recognition of his contribution to society. The only two other writers who have had the honour of having a train named after their published work are, Rabindranath Tagore with Geetanjali Express and Premchand with Godaan Express.The Purvanchal University has instituted “Kaifi Azmi Media Centre” in Jaunpur. The All India Kaifi Azmi Academy in Lucknow has been set up to carry forward the progressive work he was so committed to. Kaifi Azmi Park in Juhu Mumbai has been built in his memory. There is also a Kaifi Azmi Park in Phoolpur. In Delhi there is a Kaifi Azmi Road near R K Puram. Plans are afoot to install a Kaifi Azmi statue in Hyderabad.
Recognized as one of the finest poets of our times, Kaifi Azmi is also the most awarded Urdu poet. Major Awards include Padma Shri,Sahitya Akademi Fellowship,Sahitya Akademi Award.Maharashtra Gaurav Award by Government of Maharashtra and many more
He believed that poetry should be used as an instrument for social change and has written several poems against communalism, religious fundamentalism and for the rights of women. His best known poems are ‘Aurat’, Makaan’,‘Daaera’,‘Saanp’, ‘Bahuroopni’ etc.

 For Naunihal (1967), he wrote the song "Meri Aawaz Suno Pyar ka Raaz Suno" (Hear my voice, hear the secret of love) sung by Mohammad Rafi. The song is picturised over the funeral procession of Prime Minister of India, Jawahar Lal Nehru. Years later, after Azmi's own death his daughter, Shabana Azmi mentioned finding comfort in verses from the song. He also played a memorable role of Naseem's grandfather in Naseem (1995). Azmi died on 10 May 2002 at around the age of eighty three. He was survived by his wife, daughter and son. His autobiography is included in a collection of his works, Aaj Ke Prashid Shayar: Kaifi Azmi.
(Source:http://www.azmikaifi.com/life-sketch-of-the-legend/)