Taqi Abedi
Syed Taqi Hassan Abedi | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 1, 1952 India |
| Occupation(s) | Physician, poet, literary scholar |
| Known for | Urdu poetry, research on Persian literary heritage, Faiz Ahmed Faiz studies, Allama Iqbal studies |
Syed Taqi Hassan Abedi (; born 1 March 1952) is a physician of Indian-Canadian origin, as well as a poet and an expert in the Urdu language.
Contribution to Persian literary heritage
Abedi is responsible for compiling Kuliyat-e-Ghalib Farsi, a comprehensive two-volume anthology of Mirza Ghalib's Persian poetry from the Mughal period, released by the Ghalib Institute in Delhi. He underscores that although Ghalib is predominantly celebrated for his Urdu verses, his preference and proficiency lay primarily in Persian poetry.
In September 2010, a collaborative event was held in Tehran by the ambassadors of India and Pakistan along with Iran’s Ministry of Arts and Culture to launch Abedi’s Persian edition. Abedi pointed out that this publication aims to strengthen literary connections between India and Iran. He also remarked that Ghalib’s Persian couplets exceed his Urdu compositions in number and mentioned other Persian poets such as Mir Dabeer and Mir Anees.
Research on Hindu poets praising Islamic figures
Abedi conducted studies on poetry written by Hindu poets honoring Muhammad and Ahl al-Bayt, assembling collections containing Naats, Marsias, Soaz, and Salam authored by poets including Gopi Nath Aman, Kalidas Gupta Raza, and Dalloo Ram Kausari. He brought special attention to Roop Kunwar Kumari, a female Hindu poet whose devotion to Muhammad is highlighted in his publication issued in Multan, Pakistan. This collection explores her distinctive fusion of Hindustani Bhakti expressions with Persian poetic forms across Soaz, Salam, and Marsia genres, setting her apart from her peers. An illustrative couplet reads: "Ali's feet shelter all! Ali's loved by the two souls / No one knows Ali's reality! But the Prophet and God Almighty."
Studies on Mir Anis and Mirza Dabeer
Abedi’s work Kulliyat-e-Anees features 579 Rubais penned by Mir Anis accompanied by an extensive 150-page introduction that critically examines his poetry. His scholarship also includes "Tajzia-e-Yadgar Marsia," which delves into the biography, illness, death, and poetic discipline of Anis.
He curated "Rubayat-e-Dabeer," selecting significant Salams and Rubais from Mirza Dabeer’s oeuvre. During a seminar held in Karachi, Abedi drew comparisons between Anis and Dabeer, noting that comparative critique has a long tradition in Urdu literature dating back to Shibli Nomani's century-old work "Mawazna-i-Anees-o-Dabeer." He pointed out notable parallels: both poets lived for 72 years, were born just one year apart (1802 and 1803), and died consecutively (1874 and 1875). Both were esteemed masters who shared mutual respect. Nonetheless, popular acclaim in Lucknow was influenced more by personal tastes than collective recognition, with neither poet supporting contemporary literary factions.
Analysis of Faiz Ahmed Faiz's poetry
- Faiz Fahmi—an encyclopedic volume covering Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s life and intellectual contributions
- Spanning over 1,400 pages
- A compilation of 162 articles sourced internationally, including 40 authored by Abedi
- Incorporates photographs, artworks, and Faiz’s poetry
While numerous academics have explored Faiz’s work, Abedi’s Faiz Fahmi stands out by featuring 41 articles authored by him that uncover lesser-known facets of Faiz. The book provides an impartial critique of Faiz’s ideology, dedicating a chapter to addressing "errors in Faiz poetry" and drawing comparisons with Josh Malihabadi. It also includes five essays written by Faiz himself on subjects such as progressive literary thought and cultural matters.
This exhaustive encyclopedia facilitates deeper insight into Faiz’s themes and creative output, enriched with rare images that offer historical context. In presentations promoting the publication, Abedi stressed that despite more than 1,800 books on Faiz existing worldwide, his poetry remains relatively underexplored within Urdu literature; he suggested that had Faiz been a Persian poet, academic focus would have been significantly greater.
Additionally, Abedi has authored "Faiz Shanasi – (Knowing Faiz)" to further illuminate the poet’s enduring influence.
Research on Allama Iqbal
During the Allama Iqbal Day lectures held at Azad National Urdu University in Hyderabad (October 2009), Taqi emphasized the concept of "Iqbal Ka Falsafa-e-Ishq," underscoring Iqbal's philosophical inspiration drawn from Room and his focus on "Ishq" within both his prose and poetry.
At the Allama Iqbal Annual Day event at East-West University, Chicago (November 2010), Taqi served as the keynote speaker, where he discussed his Urdu collections Choon Marg Ayed and Iqbal Kay Irfani Zaweye. He equated Iqbal's Javaid Nama with literary masterpieces such as Saadi's Gulistan, Hafiz's Diwan, and Firdausi's Shahnama, while also highlighting similarities with Maulana Room's Masnavi. His work Choon Marg Ayed, issued by the government-founded Iqbal Academy Pakistan, assembles correspondence that reveals details about Iqbal’s health challenges and their influence on his life.
Publications
Among Taqi Abedi's significant contributions are:
| Title | Publication Location | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Gulshane Roya | Karachi, Pakistan | |
| Joshe Maodat | Hyderabad, India | |
| Shaheed | Baluchistan, Pakistan | Ayatullah Morteza Motahhari |
| Tajzeye Yadgare Anis | Delhi, India | Mir Anis |
| Ramooz-e-Sha'eri | Lahore, Pakistan | Examination of poetic forms and techniques |
| Izhar-e-Haq | Toronto, Canada | Poet Fareed Lucknowi, a lesser-known figure linked to Mir Anis |
| Inshaallha Khan Insha | Lahore | Insha Allah Khan 'Insha' |
| Aaroos-e-Sukhan | Lahore | Collection of articles from Weekly Urdu Time New York, Weekly Pakistan Link, and Daily Siyasat, India |
| Iqbal Kay Irfani Zaweye | Lahore | Allama Iqbal |
| Mujtahid Nazm Mirza Dabeer | Lahore | Mirza Dabeer |
| Musnuyate Dabeer | Delhi | Mirza Dabeer |
| Abwab-ul-Masa'ib | Delhi | Dabeer |
| Silke Salame Dabeer | Lahore | Mirza Dabeer |
| Mushafe Farsi | Delhi | Persian compositions by Dabeer |
| Taleh Mehar | Lahore | Dabeer |
| Kayenate Najm | Delhi | Mirza Tajamul Hussain (Najm Afandi) |
| Roop Kunwar Kumari | Multan | Female Urdu poet of Hindu background and devotee of Ahlul-Bayt |
| Adbi Mojeza | Multan | Traditional sermons by Ali Ibn Abi Talib presented without using the Arabic letter "Alf" |
| Sabd-e-Sukhan | Delhi | Third anthology of published essays |
| Ghalib Diwan-e-Naat-o-Manqabat | Delhi | Mirza Ghalib |
| Mushaf-e-Taghazzul | Lahore | Mirza Tajamul Hussain (Najm Afendi) |
| Taseere Matam | Multan | Najm Afendi |
| Fikre Mutmayena | Multan | Allama Najm Afendi |
| Durbar-e-Risalat | Lahore | Poetry in praise of Muhammad |
| Najmi Maya | Multan | Najm Afendi |
| Dure Daryae Najf | Multan | Allama Najm Afendi |
| Zikrye Durbaran | Lahore | Insha Allah Khan 'Insha' |
| Huwal Najm | Multan | Najm Afendi |
| Khosha-e-Anjum | Multan | Najm Afendi |
| Raveshe Inqalab | Multan | Najm Afendi |