The Urdu Ghazal Podcast, Season 4 Episode 4 -- Khumar Barabankavi

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Khumar Barabankvi (1919 – 1999) was named Mohammed Haidar Khan by his parents. His uncle ‘Qaraar Barabankvi’ was a well-known poet of Barabanki who guided Khumar at a young age. His brother Qazim Haider ‘Nigar’, who died at an early age, was also a poet. It was, therefore, natural for the young lad in the family to follow in the footsteps of his elders. He selected ‘Khumar’ as his pen name and started writing ghazal poetry. He became friends with Jigar Moradabadi, one of the greatest poets of his time. In 1945, Khumar came to Bombay with Jigar and Majrooh Sultanpuri to participate in a Mushaira. When AR Kardar heard his ghazals, he asked him to write a song for his film ‘Shah Jahan,’ which Khumar accepted. Naushad composed the music and Kundan Lal Sehgal sang the ghazal चाह बर्बाद करेगी हमें मालूम न था. Khumar stayed in Mumbai for a short time, but within that period, his work was adored by many great music directors, and his lyrics gained great popularity. Who has not heard तस्वीर बनाता हूँ तस्वीर नहीं बनती in the soft silken voice of Talat Mehmood? Five collections of his poetry were published during his lifetime.