Reza Ali was my grand-father (my mother's father) an erudite scholar and an out-standing Urdu poet, descended from a respectable family that had migrated from Delhi to Bengal after the Mutiny and settled in Hooghly in 1857 during the time when the entire city of Delhi was in a complete chaos, frenzy and turmoil and respectable families were fleeing to far and distant land to avoid persecution of any kind. My great-grand-father's name was Moulvi Shamshad Ali, his father's name was Hakim Ghalib Ali and his father's name was Hakim Ghulam Ali and consequently his father's name was Hakim Ghulam Rasul.
My grand-father (nana) was born in Calcutta in 1881, where he was educated and where he spent most of his life except for a few years before his death (which was spent in Dhaka, the then East-Pakistan).
He started his career as an assistant in the Imperial Records Office, and then in Islamia College Calcutta, as a Lecturer in Urdu from 1926-36. He was later re-appointed at the Lady Brabourne College to teach Persian and Urdu. Sometimes during the mid-fifties he left for East Pakistan to spend his remaining last few years with his children.
Wahshat is a household name in Urdu literary circles of both India and Pakistan. A God-gifted with rare talents he applied himself ardently, and patiently to reach unapproachable heights. As early as 1911 his first collection of verses evoked admiration from eminent critics and scholars like Moulana Hali, Allama Shibli Nomani and Dr. Iqbal. Most of his work was devoted to the Urdu ghazal which he managed to elevate to a new height in an age that had mostly seen its deterioration. My grand-father was a passionate admirer of Ghalib and naturally he followed the footprints of his hero. He was the founder of a new school of poetry in Bengal, and the fountain-head of various literary activities. The Irani society also lost an active member with his demise, which took place on the 20th. of July 1956, in Dhaka, the then East Pakistan, now Bangladesh.
"O Urfi, had union been possible through mourning,
One could mourn for hundred years with that longing" -Wahshat
Merzi agar bagaria mayyasar shudi visal, sad sal mi tawan ba tamanna garbastan.
May his soul rest in peace and tranquility in heaven, amen!
My grand-father (nana) was born in Calcutta in 1881, where he was educated and where he spent most of his life except for a few years before his death (which was spent in Dhaka, the then East-Pakistan).
He started his career as an assistant in the Imperial Records Office, and then in Islamia College Calcutta, as a Lecturer in Urdu from 1926-36. He was later re-appointed at the Lady Brabourne College to teach Persian and Urdu. Sometimes during the mid-fifties he left for East Pakistan to spend his remaining last few years with his children.
Wahshat is a household name in Urdu literary circles of both India and Pakistan. A God-gifted with rare talents he applied himself ardently, and patiently to reach unapproachable heights. As early as 1911 his first collection of verses evoked admiration from eminent critics and scholars like Moulana Hali, Allama Shibli Nomani and Dr. Iqbal. Most of his work was devoted to the Urdu ghazal which he managed to elevate to a new height in an age that had mostly seen its deterioration. My grand-father was a passionate admirer of Ghalib and naturally he followed the footprints of his hero. He was the founder of a new school of poetry in Bengal, and the fountain-head of various literary activities. The Irani society also lost an active member with his demise, which took place on the 20th. of July 1956, in Dhaka, the then East Pakistan, now Bangladesh.
"O Urfi, had union been possible through mourning,
One could mourn for hundred years with that longing" -Wahshat
Merzi agar bagaria mayyasar shudi visal, sad sal mi tawan ba tamanna garbastan.
May his soul rest in peace and tranquility in heaven, amen!
