Remembering the Urdu legend

The 83rd birth anniversary of poet Late Shaz Tamkanat from Hyderabad falls on January 31

After completing his school education, Shaz Tamkanat did his graduation and masters in Urdu language and literature from Osmania University. He used to work while pursuing his studies. Subsequently, he settled down for teaching and after serving in quite a few colleges, he joined the Department of Urdu,

Osmania University as a reader. His major works include ‘Tarasheeda’ (poetry), ‘Bayaz-e-Shaam’ (poetry), ‘Neem Khwab’ (poetry), ‘Makhdoom Mohiuddin’, ‘Hayat Aur Kaarnaamey’ (PhD thesis published posthumously). Shaz Tamkanat won several awards during his time, including Imtiyaz-e-Mir and Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Akademi Award.

One of his poems sung by many famous musicians goes like this:

Mauj o saahil se milo,
Maah e kaamil se milo,
Chashm e purnam se milo,
Gul o shabnam se milo
Naaz se kham se milo,
Sab se fursat se milo,
Noor o nikahat se milo,
Aeisho raahat se milo,
Sab - nazaaron se milo,
Nau bahaaron se milo,
Shokh dhaaron se milo,
Tum hazaaron se milo,
...Sab se mil aao to
Ek baar meray dil se milo…

Fawad Tamkanat and Farhad Tamkanat, the sons of Shaz Tamkanat have carried on the ‘art element’ of the family in the world of contemporary painting.