Biography of Famous Urdu Poet Jaun Elia

Biography of Famous Urdu Poet Jaun Elia


Early Life and Background

Jaun Elia, a renowned Urdu poet, was born on December 14, 1931, in Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, India. He belonged to a highly intellectual and literary family; his father, Allama Shafiq Hasan Elia, was a respected scholar and linguist, and his brother, Rais Amrohvi, was also a prominent poet and scholar. Growing up in such an environment, Jaun Elia was exposed to literature, philosophy, and art from a young age.

Educational Journey

Jaun Elia displayed a remarkable aptitude for languages and literature. He pursued his higher education at the University of Karachi, where he studied Persian and Arabic literature. His profound interest in languages and poetic traditions influenced his unique style, which combined classical themes with modern sensibilities.

Literary Career

Jaun Elia's poetic journey was characterized by his unconventional style, deep emotions, and intricate expressions. He gained recognition for his ghazals and nazms, which touched upon themes of love, heartbreak, existentialism, and the human condition. His verses were marked by a sense of melancholy and introspection, reflecting his own struggles and experiences.

Challenges and Struggles

Throughout his life, Jaun Elia faced personal challenges, including financial difficulties, health issues, and a troubled love life. These struggles often found their way into his poetry, adding an authentic depth to his work. His verses resonated with readers who could relate to his pain and vulnerability.

Contributions and Legacy

Jaun Elia's contributions to Urdu literature are invaluable. He introduced a distinct and modern flavor to traditional Urdu poetry, making it more relatable to contemporary readers. His collections, such as "Shayad" and "Gumaan," gained immense popularity and established him as a prominent poet of his generation.

Final Years and Demise

Despite his hardships, Jaun Elia continued to write prolifically. He also worked as a translator and linguist, further showcasing his versatility. Sadly, his health deteriorated over the years due to various ailments. On November 8, 2002, Jaun Elia passed away in Karachi, Pakistan, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and captivate poetry enthusiasts.

Remembering the Poet

Jaun Elia's poetry continues to resonate with readers across generations. His profound insights into human emotions and his ability to articulate the complexities of life have solidified his place as one of Urdu literature's most influential figures. His works are celebrated in literary circles, and his verses are frequently quoted and cherished by those who appreciate the beauty and depth of Urdu poetry.

Sample Of Poetry 

Ghazal No 1 

frqt men oslt brpa hay allh hُo kay barray men 

ashob ohdt brpa hay allh hُo kay barray men


roho gl say sb rohon pr osl ke hsrt tare hay 

ak sr hkmt brpa hay allh hُo kay barray men


bay ahoale ke halt hay shaed ya shaed kh nhen

pr ahoalet brpa hay allh hُo kay barray men


mkhtare kay lb slo ana، jbr ajb tr thhra hay

hejan ghert brpa hay، allh hُo kay barray men


baba alf arshad ktan hen pesh adm kay baray men

hert bay hert brpa hay allh hُo kay barray men


mane hen lfzon say brhm qhr khmoshe aalm hay 

aek ajb hjt brpa hay allh ho kay barray men


mojode say ankare hay apne zd men naz ojod 

halt se halt brpa hay allh hُo kay barray men

Jaun Elia

Ghazal No 2 

to bhe chp hay men bhe chp hon yh kese tnhae'e hay 

teray sath tre yad aae'e kea to sch mch aae'e hay 


shaed oh dn phla dn tha plken bojhl honay ka 

mjh ko dekhtay he jb as ke angrrae'e shrmae'e hay 


as dn phle bar hoa tha mjh ko rfaqt ka ahsas 

jb as kay mlbos ke khoshbo ghr phnchanay aae'e hay 


hsn say arz shoq nh krna hsn ko zk phnchana hay 

hm nay arz shoq nh kr kay hsn ko zk phnchae'e hay 


hm ko aor to kchh nhen sojha albth as kay dl men 

soz rqabt peda kr kay as ke nend arrae'e hay 


hm donon ml kr bhe dlon ke tnhae'e men bhtken gay 

pagl kchh to soch yh to nay kese shkl bnae'e hay 


ashq pechan ke sndl pr janay ks dn bel chrrhay 

keare men pane thhra hay deoaron pr kae'e hay 


hsn kay janay ktnay chhray hsn kay janay ktnay nam 

ashq ka peshh hsn prste ashq brra hrjae'e hay 


aaj bht dn bad men apnay kmray tk aٓ nkla tha 

jon he droazh khola hay as ke khoshbo aae'e hay 


aek to atna hbs hay phr men sansen rokay betha hon 

oerane nay jharro day kay ghr men dhol arrae'e hay

Jaun Elia

Ghazal No 3 

hm to jesay ohan kay thay he nhen 

bay aman thay aman kay thay he nhen 


hm kh hen tere dastan yksr 

hm tre dastan kay thay he nhen 


an ko aandhe men he bkhrna tha 

bal o pr aashean kay thay he nhen 


ab hmara mkan ks ka hay 

hm to apnay mkan kay thay he nhen 


ho tre khak aastan ph slam 

hm tray aastan kay thay he nhen 


hm nay rnjsh men yh nhen socha 

kchh skhn to zban kay thay he nhen 


dl nay dala tha drmean jn ko 

log oh drmean kay thay he nhen 


as gle nay yh sn kay sbr kea 

janay oalay yhan kay thay he nhen

Jaun Elia

Ghazal No 4 

kam ke bat men nay ke he nhen 

eh mra tor zndge he nhen 


aay amed aay amed no medan 

mjh say met tre athe he nhen 


men jo tha as gle ka mst khram 

as gle men mre chle he nhen 


eh sna hay kh meray koch kay bad 

as ke khoshbo khen bse he nhen 


the jo ak fakhth adas adas 

sbh oh shakh say arre he nhen 


mjh men ab mera je nhen lgta 

aor stm yh kh mera je he nhen 


oh jo rhte the dl mhlay men 

phr oh lrrke mjhay mle he nhen 


jae'eay aor khak arrae'eay aap 

ab oh ghr kea kh oh gle he nhen 


hae'ay oh shoq jo nhen tha kbhe 

hae'ay oh zndge jo the he nhen

Jaun Elia

Ghazal No 5 

as kay phlo say lg kay chltay hen 

hm khen talnay say tltay hen 


bnd hay may kdon kay droazay 

hm to bs yon he chl nkltay hen 


men ase trh to bhlta hon 

aor sb js trh bhltay hen 


oh hay jan ab hr aek mhfl ke 

hm bhe ab gr say km nkltay hen 


kea tklf kren yh khnay men 

jo bhe khosh hay hm as say jltay hen 


hay asay dor ka sfr dr pesh 

hm snbhalay nhen snbhltay hen 


sham frqt ke lhlha athe 

oh hoa hay kh zkhm bhrtay hen 


hay ajb feslay ka shra bhe 

chl nh prreay to paؤn jltay hen 


ho rha hon men ks trh brbad 

dekhnay oalay hath mltay hen 


tm bno rng tm bno khoshbo 

hm to apnay skhn men dhltay hen

Jaun Elia