Shahryar awarded 44th jnanpith

Justu-ju jiski thi usko toa na paaya hamne, is bahane se magar dekh li duniya hamne...” (What I longed for, was never mine, but on this pretext, I beheld the world...)”

These spine-tingling lines from the movie Umrao Jaan by Muzaffar Ali in 1981 still cut through to both heart and soul of a listener. The writer of these living lines — Akhlaq Mohammad Khan Shahryar — has unleashed his formidable power and control over words all through his life as an Urdu writer, a lyricist and an academician.

Mr Shahryar, who was awarded the 44th Jnanpith Award for the year 2008 in the national capital on Sunday by superstar Amitabh Bachchan, lyricist Gulzar and Cabinet minister M. Veerappa Moily, has maintained a conscious balance between tradition and modernity. “He expresses modern thought...with a new style but maintains a continuity of tradition.,” Dr Moily said. Mr Shahryar said, “Humans always try to maintain a balance between material and spiritual progress. Thank God we live in a world which at least as of now values emotions... there still exists a bond between humans. Art has a role to play in this world and I am glad to be part of it.” Born on June 16, 1936 in Anwala, Bareilly, he obtained his Ph.D in Urdu from AMU.

Full report here Asian Age

Jnanpith presented to Shaheryar

Legendary Urdu poet and academician Prof Shaheryar was on Sunday presented India's highest literary honour — the Jnanpith Award — for the year 2008.

Presenting the award, Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan said, "Like Rahi Massom Raza, Shaheryar also believed in breaking the imaginary wall between Hindi and Urdu. He is a real mascot of Hindi-Urdu culture."

In the form of songs in 'Fasle', 'Anjuman', 'Gaman' and 'Umrao Jaan', Shaheryar has given unique gift to the film industry, Bachchan said. "Today I feel honoured because I got the opportunity to give this prize to Shaheryar sahab," the veteran actor said.

Full report here Times of India 

Urdu poet Shaharyar to receive Jnanpith Award-2008

Noted Urdu poet Akhlaq Mohammed Khan, generally known,' Shahryar' has been selected for Jnanpith Award-2008 which is the highest literary award in India. This prestigious award will be given to him in the recognition of his contribution for Urdu language.

The Award was instituted in 1961 and is presented by Bharatiya Jnanpith, every year to different personalities for their outstanding literary works in different languages. The award carries Rs. 700,000, cash a citation plaque and a trophy.

His name was approved by selection committee comprising Professor Gopi Chand Narang, former president of Sahitya Akademy, Gurdiyal Singh, Keshu Bhai Desai, Dinesh Mishra and others.

Mr. Shahryar is also famous as a lyricist in Hindi films and has written lyrics in several famous films including Gaman (1978), Umrao Jaan (1981) and Anjuman (1986),

In 1987 he was awarded with Sahitya Akademy Award in Urdu for his poetry collection, Khwab Ka Dar Band Hai. Besides, he wrote a number of poetry collections which brought glory to him in literary world.

Full report here TwoCircles

Shaharyar conferred Indian honor

Fifteen Indian poets brought the annual celebration of Urdu poetry alive with their choicest couplets as legendary professor Shaharyar, professor Waseem Barelvi and Meraj Faizabadi did the star turn at a Mushaira (poetry gathering) here on Thursday.

Ghazal, the traditional genre of Urdu poetry, was the penchant of all poets during the evening, but some of them stole the thunder with their impeccable content and delivery of the lyrical rhyme and metered verse that was enjoyed by a crowd of over 2,000.

For Shaharyar, his visit to this holy land proved rewarding with India conferring on him the most-coveted literary Gyanpeeth Award for 2008 on Friday. An elated Shaharyar thanked the jury for recognizing his services to Urdu.

This year’s annual mushaira, organized by the Indian Pilgrims Welfare Forum (IPWF), began with the connoisseurs of Urdu poetry receiving the initial fare on a lukewarm note.

Full report here Arab News