Majnun Gorakhpuri: The Notable Poet & Writer of Sindh

Ahmad Siddiq, known by his pen name Majnun Gorakhpuri, was an eminent Urdu short story (Afsana) writer, poet and literary critic.



Life of Majnun Gorakhpuri

Ahmad Siddiq, known as Majnun Gorakhpuri, was born in the year of 1904 in the region of Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh (then United Provinces). His father was Muhammed Farooq Devana Gorakhpuri.

His friend Firaq Gorakhpuri also hailed from Gorakhpur and was now settled in Allahbad. Firaq himself recalls, “Majnun Gorakhpuri came to Allahabad those days and got admitted to a college. He was staying with me and his company dispelled my loneliness a little”. He added: “In those days I used to spend a good deal of my time in the company of Majnun Gorakhpuri and Munshi Premchand. Their company helped to awaken my poetic instincts and kindle my thoughts”. Here he became linked with the Progressive Writers Movement since its inception.

Education

His early education took place in Gorakhpur, and he went to Allahbad University for higher education. He earned his MA in English from the institute of Agra University and thereafter earned an MA in Urdu from the University of Calcutta.

Academic career

He taught at different colleges and universities throughout his life involving Aligarh Muslim University, Gorakhpur University and the institute of University of Karachi. He taught in the Department of Urdu at Aligarh Muslim University. He migrated to Pakistan in late 1960s and went on to live in Karachi and taught at Karachi University till his last years of life.

Literary work and contribution

Besides his collection of short stories and 35 books on Urdu literature, Gorakhpuri left a score of forewords and critical analyses as his legacy.

Literary Criticism

Adab aur zindagi: Majnun Gorakhpuri ki chand tanqidat ka majmu’ah, tarmim-o-izafah ke sath (1944)

Iqbal: Ijmali tabsirah (1945)

Tanqidi hashi’e: Tanqidi mazamin ka majmu’ah (1945)

Nuqūsh-O-Afkār (1955)

Sher Aur Ghaazal (1962)

Adab Aur Zindagī ; Majnoon, Ahmad Siddiq (1964)

Ghazal Sara (1964)

Ghālib : Shakhs Aur Shāir, (Karāchī : Maktabah-i Arbāb-i Qalam, 1974)

Armaghān-I-Majnūn (1980, 1984).

Jamaliat (aesthetics)

Masnavi-i-Zahr-i ishq, Mirza Shauq : tabsire by Majnun Gorakhpuri and Mohsin Faruqi; (digar rumani dastanen, Mohsin Faruqi tazkirah va tanqid) Criticism and interpretation on Zahr-i-ishq, poetical work written in the year of 1855 by Mirzā Shauq; includes criticism on different folk tales by Mohsin Fārūqī.

Pardesi ke Khutut

Collections of Short stories

Zaidi Ka Hashr

Khvab-o-khayal aur dusare afsane (1943)

Saman posh aur dusre afsane, jin ka ta’alluq ruhaniyat se hai (1971)

Translations:

King Lear by William Shakespeare (Urdu)

Shamshoun Mubariz (Samson Agonistes by John Milton)

He also edited ‘Aivan’ literary journal/magazine from Gorakhpur 1931-35.

He was Presidential Medal Tamgha-E-Imtiaz winner in Pakistan which he accepted reluctantly from President General Zia Ul Haque.

Suggested readings

Majnoon Gorakhpuri-Life and Art by Abdul Sattar Niazi

Armughan-E-Majnoon Vol I (Majnoon Academy Karachi)

Armughan-E-Majnoon Vol II (Majnoon Academy Karachi)