Mashafi
Indian Urdu poet (1751–1844)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ghulam Ali Hamdani[a] (1751–1844), commonly known by the takhallus Mashafi,[b] was an Urdu ghazal poet.[3]
Mashafi | |
|---|---|
| |
| Born | Ghulam Ali Hamdani 1751 |
| Died | 1844 (aged 93) |
| Occupation | Urdu poet |
| Period | Mughal era |
| Genre | Ghazal |
| Subject | Love, philosophy |
Works
Before his time, the language known as Hindi, Hindavi, Dehlavi, Dakhini, Lahori or Rekhta was commonly known as the Zaban-i-Ordu,[4] and commonly in local literature and speech, Lashkari Zaban or Lashkari.[5] Mashafi was the first person to simply shorten the later name to Urdu.[6] He migrated to Lucknow during the reign of Asaf-ud-Daula. According to one source, his ghazals are full of pathos.[7]
He wrote Tazkira E Hindi in Persian language which demonstrates his skill in that tongue.[8] He also wrote in Hindavi:
مصحفی فارسی کو طاق پہ رکھ
اب ہے اشعار ہندوی کا رواج[9]
Mashafi farsi ko taq pe rakh
Ab hai ashaar- e-Hindavi ka rivaj[10]
There are ten extant collections of his poems, but it is believed that he allowed others for a fee to publish his poems under their own authorship.[11] His personal life lacked discipline and his poetry reflects a level of sensuality.[12] He excelled in lyrics but also composed odes and romances.[13]