Hashim Raza Jalalpuri translated Kabir’s verses into Urdu poetry.
After Mirabai, young litterateur Hashim Raza Jalalpuri has created history by translating Kabir’s verses into Urdu poetry. Which has been published as a book entitled Kabir in Urdu Shairi Mien (Naghma-e-Faham-o-Zaka) in both Hindi and Urdu languages. Hashim Raza Jalalpuri’s first book Mirabai Urdu Shairi Mein (Naghma-e-Ishq-o-Wafa), which received much praise and appreciation in the literary, cultural and social circles, contains translation of all the verses of the 16th century saint poetess Mirabai in Urdu poetry. This book was published in both Hindi and Urdu languages, and was released in June 2019 at the India International Center Delhi in the gracious presence of Padma Bhushan Shri Chinna Jeeyar Swami Ji, Padma Shri Muzaffar Ali, Prof Akhtarul Wasey etc. Now Mirabai Urdu Shairi Mein is listed as a reference book in the first year MA (Urdu) curriculum of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University Ayodhya Uttar Pradesh.
Hashim Raza Jalalpuri said that if the world needs anything most, it is love and humanity. Kabir is an international preacher of love and humanity, hence his works should reach the people so that the distances between people belonging to different sects can be reduced. India is the country of saints, Sufis and Mahatmas. How many saints, Sufis and Mahatmas were born in the soil of this country and with the lamp of their teachings, they illuminated the people’s heart with love and humanity. Saints, Sufis or Mahatmas are not representatives of any religion, sect or school of thought, but are advocates of love and humanity, whose personality and life are purified from religious differences and caste-based conflicts. Kabir is the stalwart of the composite culture of the Bhakti movement, in whose eyes Ram and Rahim are one. Kabir’s poetry is the beautiful confluence of Ganga and Jamuna. Bhakti and tasawwuf both are clearly visible in his poetry. According to Kabir, the difference between humans is meaningless, there is no class or rank, everyone is created by the same God and what is the difference between the creatures? Kabir’s name is prominent among those people in the history of India who tried to unify the human community and create unity among them. Hashim Raza Jalalpuri stated that by converting the Shrimad Bhagwat Gita into Urdu poetry, my mentor Padma Shri Anwar Jalalpuri had initiated the process of promoting Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb. “Kabir in Urdu Shairi Mein (Naghma-e-Faham-o-Zaka)” is a continuation of the same series as Mirabai Urdu Shairi Mein.
Hashim Raza Jalalpuri obtained B.Tech in Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering from Rohilkhand University Bareilly and M.Tech in Electrical Engineering from Aligarh Muslim University Aligarh. At present he is serving as a Lecturer (Instrumentation and Control Engineering) in Government Polytechnic, Rampur. Hashim Raza Jalalpuri has previously worked in Chonnam National University South Korea, Aligarh Muslim University and Rohilkhand University Bareilly. He has been honored with Mirabai Lok Sahitya Samman 2021, Ganga Jamuni Tehzeeb Samman, Urdu Ratna and Fakhir Jalalpuri Samman 2019. Today, Hashim Raza Jalalpuri is a well-known name in the Mushairas, but the translations of Kabir and Mirabai into Urdu poetry sets him apart from the poets of his time.
Padma Bhushan Chinna Jeeyar Swami Ji stated in his blessings message that Hashim Raza Jalalpuri’s heart is overwhelmed with the mystical devotion of these Bhakti movement inspirers. He followed the footsteps of his mentor, the late Anwar Jalalpuri, who is well known for translating the Bhagavad Gita from Sanskrit to Urdu, for which he posthumously received the Padma Shri. Hashim shared Mirabai’s devotion for Lord Krishna with his Urdu speaking brethren through his earlier book. Now he is sharing Sant Kabir’s devotion through another book entitled, “Kabir Urdu Shairi Mein (Naghma-e-Fahm-o-Zaka)”. The title literally means a treasure of songs that offer a blissful explorative experience.
Indian Ambassador to Ireland Shri Akhilesh Mishra said in his greeting message that I heartily congratulate dear Hashim Raza Jalalpuri for this endeavor and pray for his continued success. I hope that through the verses of Kabir, Hashim Raza Jalalpuri’s book will strengthen the spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation, peace and harmony in the Indian society.