Famous indian Urdu Poet Fani Badayuni Biography & Urdu Poetry 

Introduction

Urdu literature boasts a rich tapestry of poets who have left an indelible mark on its cultural landscape. Among these luminaries, Fani Badayuni stands as a prominent figure whose verses continue to resonate with generations. Born in the early 18th century, Fani Badayuni's life and work exemplify the elegance and depth of classical Urdu poetry.

Early Life and Background

1.Birth and Parentage: 

Fani Badayuni, whose real name was Shokat Ali Fani, was born in 1879 in Badayun, a historic city in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India. He hailed from a family with a deep appreciation for literature and the arts.

2.Educational Journey:

Fani's early education was steeped in the classical traditions of Persian and Arabic. He exhibited a remarkable aptitude for languages and developed a deep understanding of classical poetry and philosophy.

Literary Evolution

1. Mentorship and Influence

Fani Badayuni's poetic journey was greatly influenced by the renowned poet Mir Taqi Mir, who recognized Fani's potential and nurtured his talents. Under Mir's guidance, Fani refined his poetic skills and began to compose ghazals and nazms, displaying a unique blend of emotional depth and linguistic finesse.

2.Themes and Style

Fani's poetry primarily revolved around themes of love, heartache, mysticism, and the human condition. His verses were marked by intricate metaphors, intricate imagery, and a profound sense of melancholy, making them relatable to a wide range of readers.

3.Innovations

Fani Badayuni was known for his mastery of the ghazal form, where he introduced new stylistic elements and expressed emotions with remarkable nuance. He often incorporated Sufi concepts and metaphysical ideas into his verses, elevating his poetry to a spiritual plane.

Literary Contributions

1.Ghazals

Fani's ghazals remain some of the most celebrated in Urdu literature. His ability to capture the essence of love, longing, and separation earned him a special place in the hearts of poetry enthusiasts.

2.Nazms

In addition to ghazals, Fani composed nazms—longer narrative poems—that showcased his versatility. These nazms explored diverse themes, from social commentary to introspection, revealing his ability to traverse various poetic realms.

3.Divan-e-Fani

Fani's collected works, known as "Divan-e-Fani," are a testament to his poetic prowess. This anthology includes a vast array of his ghazals and nazms, each contributing to his legacy as a literary luminary.

Impact and Legacy

1.Literary Influence

Fani Badayuni's influence extended beyond his contemporaries, as subsequent generations of poets drew inspiration from his style, themes, and linguistic innovations.

2.Preservation of Tradition

Fani played a pivotal role in preserving and propagating classical Urdu poetry during a period of cultural transition. His commitment to the linguistic and artistic heritage of Urdu solidified his place in literary history.

3.Continuing Relevance

Even in the modern era, Fani's poetry continues to resonate with readers worldwide. His exploration of human emotions and universal themes transcends time, maintaining its relevance across centuries.

Personal Struggles and Triumphs

1.Emotional Turmoil

Fani's verses often mirrored his personal struggles, particularly his experiences of heartbreak and isolation. These intense emotions, while challenging, fueled his creative expression.

2.Sufi Inclinations

Fani's immersion in Sufi philosophy and mysticism enriched his poetry with layers of spiritual depth. His inclination towards spirituality can be seen as a way to cope with the trials of life.

Conclusion

Fani Badayuni, born in a bygone era, left an indelible imprint on the world of Urdu poetry. His profound verses, characterized by emotional intensity and linguistic finesse, continue to captivate audiences and inspire poets to this day. Fani's life journey, marked by personal struggles and poetic triumphs, serves as a testament to the enduring power of language and creativity. As we delve into his verses, we are reminded of the timeless nature of human emotions and the ability of words to bridge gaps across generations and cultures.

Sample Of Poetry 

Ghazal No 1

khlq khte hay jsay dl tray deoanay ka 

aek goshh hay yh dnea ase oeranay ka 

ak mamh hay smjhnay ka nh smjhanay ka 

zndge kahay ko hay khoab hay deoanay ka 

hsn hay zat mre ashq sft hay mere 

hon to men shma mgr bhes hay proanay ka 

kabh ko dl ke zeart kay leay jata hon 

aastanh hay hrm meray snm khanay ka 

mkhtsr qsۂ ghm yh hay kh dl rkhta hon 

raz konen khlash hay as afsanay ka 

zndge bhe to psheman hay yhan la kay mjhay 

dhondte hay koe'e helh mray mr janay ka 

tm nay dekha hay kbhe ghr ko bdltay hoe'ay rng 

aaؤ dekho nh tmasha mray ghm khanay ka 

ab asay dar ph lay ja kay sla day saqe 

eon bhkna nhen achha tray mstanay ka 

dl say phnche to hen aankhon men lho ke bonden 

slslh sheshay say mlta to hay pemanay ka 

hdean hen ke'e lpte hoe'e znjeron men 

leay jatay hen jnazh tray deoanay ka 

ohdt hsn kay jloon ke yh ksrt aay ashq 

dl kay hr zray men aalm hay pre khanay ka 

chshm saqe asr me'ay say nhen hay gl rng 

dl mray khon say lbrez hay pemanay ka 

loh dl ko ghm alft ko qlm khtay hen 

kn hay andaz rqm hsn kay afsanay ka 

hm nay chhane hen bht der o hrm ke glean 

khen paea nh thkana tray deoanay ka 

ks ke aankhen dm aakhr mjhay yad aae'e hen 

dl mrqa hay chhlktay hoe'ay pemanay ka 

khtay hen kea he mzay ka hay fsanh faneؔ 

aap ke jan say dor aap kay mr janay ka 

hr nfs amr gzshth ke hay met faneؔ 

zndge nam hay mr mr kay je'ay janay ka 

Fani Badayuni

Ghazal No 2

dnea mere bla janay mhnge hay ya sste hay 

mot mlay to mft nh lon hste ke kea hste hay 

aabade bhe dekhe hay oeranay bhe dekhay hen 

jo ajrray aor phr nh bsay dl oh nrale bste hay 

khod jo nh honay ka ho adm kea asay hona khtay hen 

nest nh ho to hst nhen yh hste kea hste hay 

ajz gnah kay dm tk hen asmt kaml kay jloay 

pste hay to blnde hay raz blnde pste hay 

jan se shay bk jate hay aek nzr kay bdlay men 

aagay mrze gahk ke an damon to sste hay 

ohsht dl say phrna hay apnay khda say phr jana 

deoanay yh hosh nhen yh to hosh prste hay 

jg sona hay teray bgher aankhon ka kea hal hoa 

jb bhe dnea bste the ab bhe dnea bste hay 

aanso thay so khshk hoe'ay je hay kh amda aata hay 

dl ph ghta se chhae'e hay khlte hay nh brste hay 

dl ka ajrrna shl she bsna shl nhen zalm 

bste bsna khel nhen bstay bstay bste hay 

faneؔ js men aanso kea dl kay lho ka kal nh tha 

hae'ay oh aankh ab pane ke do bondon ko trste hay

Fani Badayuni 

Ghazal No 3

abtdae'ay ashq hay ltf shbab aanay ko hay 

sbr rkhst ho rha hay aztrab aanay ko hay 

qbr pr ks shan say oh bay nqab aanay ko hay 

aaftab sbh mhshr hm rkab aanay ko hay 

mjh tk as mhfl men phr jam shrab aanay ko hay 

amr rfth plte aate hay shbab aanay ko hay 

hae'ay kese kshmksh hay yas bhe hay aas bhe 

dm nkl janay ko hay kht ka joab aanay ko hay 

kht kay przay namh br ke lash kay hm rah hen 

ks dhtae'e say mray kht ka joab aanay ko hay 

naamede mot say khte hay apna kam kr 

aas khte hay thhr kht ka joab aanay ko hay 

roh ghbrae'e hoe'e phrte hay mere lash pr 

kea jnazay pr meray kht ka joab aanay ko hay 

bhr kay saqe jam may ak aor la aor jld la 

an nshele ankhrreon men phr hjab aanay ko hay 

khanۂ tsoer men aanay ko hay tsoer yar 

aae'nay men qd aadm aaftab aanay ko hay 

phr hnae'e honay oalay hen mray qatl kay hath 

phr zban tegh pr rng shhab aanay ko hay 

gdgdata hay tsor chtkean leta hay drd 

kea kse bay khoab ke aankhon men khoab aanay ko hay 

dekheay mot aae'ay faneؔ ya koe'e ftnh athay 

meray qabo men dl bay sbr o tab aanay ko hay

Fani Badayuni 

Ghazal No 4

aankh athae'e he the kh khae'e chot 

bch ge'e aankh dl ph aae'e chot 

drd dl ke anhen khbr kea ho 

janta kon hay prae'e chot 

aae'e tnha nh khanۂ dl men 

drd ko apnay sath lae'e chot 

tegh the hath men nh khnjr tha 

as nay kea janay kea lgae'e chot 

eon nh qatl ko jb yqen aaea 

hm nay dl khol kr dkhae'e chot 

aor kea krtay hm bla ksh ghm 

jo prre dl ph oh athae'e chot 

khen chhpte bhe hay lge dl ke 

lakh faneؔ nay go chhpae'e chot

Fani Badayuni 

Ghazal No 5

nh abtda ke khbr hay nh antha malom 

rha yh ohm kh hm hen so oh bhe kea malom 

daa to kher daa say amed kher bhe hay 

eh mdaa hay to anjam mdaa malom 

hoa nh raz rza fash oh to yh kheay 

mray nseb men the ornh sae na malom 

mre ofa kay soa ghaet jfa keon ho 

tre jfa kay soa hasl ofa malom 

kchh an kay rhm ph the yon he zndge moqof 

kh an ko raz mhbt bhe ho gea malom 

tray kheal kay asrar bay khode men khlay 

hmen chhpa nh skay ornh dl ko kea malom 

freb amn men kchh mslht to hay ornh 

skon kshte o tofeq nakhda malom 

oh altfat kh tha as ke antha bhe hay 

khda ke mar kh dl ko yhe nh tha malom 

eh zndge ke hay rodad mkhtsr faneؔ 

ojod drd mslm alaj na malom

Fani Badayuni