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{{Short description|Urdu author (1914–1976)}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox writer 
| name = Jan Nisar Akhtar
| image = Jan Nisar Akhtar.jpg
| imagesize =
| alt =
| caption =
| pseudonym =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1914|02|18}}
| birth_place = [[Gwalior]], [[Gwalior State]], [[British Raj|British India]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1976|08|19|1914|02|14}}
| death_place = [[Bombay]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| occupation = Poet, lyricist
| education =
| alma_mater = [[Aligarh Muslim University]]
| period =
| genre = [[Ghazal]]
| subject =
| movement = [[Progressive Writers' Movement]]
| notableworks = "Khaak-e-dil" (The Ashes of Heart") (1973)
| spouse = {{ubl|Safiya Siraj-ul Haq|Khadija Talat}}
| partner =
| parents = [[Muztar Khairabadi]] (father)
| children = [[Javed Akhtar]] [[Salman Akhtar]] Uneza Akhtar Albina Akhtar Sharma Shahid Khursheed Akhtar
| relatives = [[Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi]] (great grandfather)
| awards =
| signature =
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| website =
| portaldisp =
}}
{{Progressive Writers' Movement}}

'''Jan Nisar Akhtar''' (18 February 1914 – 19 August 1976) was an Indian poet of [[Urdu]] [[ghazals]] and [[nazm]]s, and a part of the [[Progressive Writers' Movement]], who was also a lyricist for [[Bollywood]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=8y8vN9A14nkC&dq=Jan+Nissar+Akhtar&pg=PT320 Jan Nisar Akhtar] ''Encyclopaedia of Hindi cinema'', by [[Gulzar]], [[Govind Nihalani]], Saibal Chatterjee (Encyclopædia Britannica, India). Popular Prakashan, 2003. {{ISBN|8179910660}}. ''p. 296''.</ref>

He was the son of [[Muztar Khairabadi]] and great grandson of [[Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi]], who were both Urdu poets. His career spanned four decades during which he worked with music composers including [[C. Ramchandra]], [[O.P. Nayyar]], [[Datta Naik]] also credited as N. Datta and [[Khayyam (composer)|Khayyam]] and wrote 151 songs. Notable among them were songs from his breakthrough film, [[Abdur Rashid Kardar|A.R. Kardar]]'s ''Yasmin'' (1955), ''Aankhon hi Aankhon Mein'' in [[Guru Dutt]]'s ''[[C.I.D. (1956 film)|CID]]'' (1956), ''Yeh dil aur unki nigahon ke saaye'' in [[Prem Parbat]] (1974) and ''Aaja re'' in ''[[Noorie]]'' (1979) and his last song, ''Ae Dil-e-naadaan'', in [[Kamal Amrohi]]'s ''[[Razia Sultan (film)|Razia Sultan]]'' (1983).<ref>[http://www.screenindia.com/old/fullstory.php?content_id=13864 Gulzar to release Jan Nissar Akhtar's Nigahon Ke Saaye]{{dead link|date=November 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} [[Screen (magazine)|Screen]], 20 October 2006.</ref>

His poetic works include ''Nazr-e-Butaan'', ''Salaasil'', ''Javidaan'', ''Pichali Pehar'', ''Ghar Angan'' and ''Khaak-e-dil''. The latter ("The Ashes of Heart") was a poetry collection for which he was awarded the 1976 [[Sahitya Akademi Award]] in [[Urdu]] by [[Sahitya Akademi]], India's National Academy of Letters.<ref>[http://www.sahitya-akademi.gov.in/old_version/awa10322.htm#urdu Sahitya Akademi Award in Urdu] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916132928/http://www.sahitya-akademi.gov.in/old_version/awa10322.htm |date=16 September 2009 }} [[Sahitya Akademi Award]] Official listings.</ref>

==Early life==

Jan Nisar passed his matriculation from Victoria Collegiate High School, Gwalior, and in 1930 joined [[Aligarh Muslim University]], from where he gained his B.A. Honours and M.A. degrees. He started his doctoral work, but had to return to Gwalior due to family conditions.<ref name=sat>[https://books.google.com/books?id=zB4n3MVozbUC&dq=Jan+Nissar+Akhtar&pg=PA1796 Jan Nisar Akhtar Biography] ''The Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature (Volume Two) (D -J)''. by Amaresh Datta. [[Sahitya Akademi]], 2006. {{ISBN|81-260-1194-7}}. ''p. 1796-97''.</ref>

==Career==

In 1949, he resigned from his job, moved to [[Bombay]] to write lyrics for [[Urdu]]/[[Hindi]] movies besides [[ghazal]]s and [[nazm]]s for general publication. Once in Bombay, he came in touch with other progressive writers, like [[Mulk Raj Anand]], [[Krishan Chander]], [[Rajinder Singh Bedi]] and [[Ismat Chugtai]], who often met at Bombay's Silver Fish Restaurant, and subsequently came to be known as 'Bombay Group of Writers'.<ref>''Literary radicalism in India: gender, nation and the transition to independence'', by Priyamvada Gopal. Routledge, 2005. {{ISBN|0-415-32904-3}}, ''p. 165''.</ref> Success came his way quite late as a film lyricist, till then he was supported by his wife who had stayed back in Bhopal, though she died prematurely of cancer in 1953. <ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-09-29 |title=Lyricist Abhilash passes on after battling cancer |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/lyricist-abhilash-passes-on-after-battling-cancer/articleshow/78377709.cms |access-date=2024-09-24 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Finally, he had a career breakthrough, with ''Yasmeen'' (1955), with music by [[C. Ramchandra]]. His association with [[Madan Mohan]], the music director resulted in many memorable movie songs.<ref name=sat/> Some of his notable lyrics were, '' Meri Neendon Mein Tum'' in ''Naya Andaz'' (1956) by [[Kishore Kumar]] and [[Shamshad Begum]], ''Garib Jan Key Hamko Naa Tum Daga Dena'' sung by [[Mohammed Rafi]] in ''Chhoo Mantar'', the hit ''Piya piya piya...'' in ''Baap Re Baap'' (1955) music by [[O.P. Nayyar]], '' Aap Yun Faaslon Se'' by [[Lata Mangeshkar]] in ''[[Shankar Hussain]]'' (1977).<ref>[http://www.musicindiaonline.com/music/hindi_bollywood/s/lyrics.662/ Jan Nisar Akhtar Lyrics] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100108123439/http://www.musicindiaonline.com/music/hindi_bollywood/s/lyrics.662/ |date=8 January 2010 }}.</ref>

His poetry was secular and like many of the progressive writers of his generation talked of freedom, dignity, economic exploitation and other issues gleaming of the leftist leanings.<ref>''History of Indian Literature: 1911–1956, struggle for freedom: triumph and tragedy, '' by Sisir Kumar Das. [[Sahitya Akademi]], 2006. {{ISBN|81-7201-798-7}}. ''p. 226''.</ref> Even his romanticism which was amply displayed in his [[ghazal]]s, was replete with references to household and family life. His notable books include ''Nazr-e-Butaan'', ''Salaasil'', ''Javidaan'', ''Ghar Angan'' and ''Khaak-e-Dil'' (all Urdu titles). One of his many famous [[Sher (poem)|couplets]] is :

''Ashaar mere yuu.N to zamaane ke liye hai.n'', 
''kuchh sher faqat unako sunaane ke liye hai.n''

''Although my poems are meant for the whole world'', 
''There are some couplets meant just for the beloved''

He wrote and produced a film, ''[[Bahu Begum]]'' (1967), starring [[Pradeep Kumar (actor)|Pradeep Kumar]] and [[Meena Kumari]]. During the period of four-year to his death he published three collections of his works most important of them being, ''Khak-e-Dil'' (The Ashes of Heart"), which has his representative poems from 1935 to 1970, and which won him the [[Sahitya Akademi Award]] (Urdu) in 1976.<ref>''Indian publishing in the seventies''. by Vijaya Kumar Das. National Book Trust, India, 1978. ''p 96''.</ref> Jan Nisar was commissioned by the first Prime Minister of India, [[Jawaharlal Nehru]] to collate the best Hindustani poetry of last 300 years, and later the first edition of the book titled ''Hindustan Hamara'' (Our Hindustan) in two volumes was released by Indira Gandhi. It contained Urdu verses on a topics, ranging from love and praise for India and its history, to festivals like Holi and Diwali, on Indian rivers like the Ganges, Yamuna and the Himalayas.<ref>[http://getahead.rediff.com/movies/2006/aug/21hh.htm Javed Akhtar re-releases Hindustan Humara] [[Rediff.com]], 21 August 2006.</ref>

He died in Bombay on 19 August 1976, while he was still working on [[Kamal Amrohi]]'s film, ''[[Razia Sultan (film)|Razia Sultan]]'' (1983). He was nominated posthumously for 1980 [[Filmfare Best Lyricist Award]] for "Aaja Re Mere Dilbar" from the film, ''[[Noorie]]''.

His anthology, ''Hindustan Hamara'' was re-released in Hindi in 2006<ref>[http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=197500 Well versed: Revisiting 325-year-old Urdu poetry with Jan Nisar Akhtar]{{dead link|date=February 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} [[Indian Express]], 20 August 2006.</ref>

==Family==
In 1943, he married Safia, sister of the poet [[Majaz]]. Safia worked as a school teacher at an Urdu-medium ''madarsa'' (Muslim school). She was meeting a practical necessity, to work outside her home, because Jan Nisar's income was at best sporadic, and it was necessary for her to work to support her children. Thus, when Jan Nisar moved to Mumbai to try his luck at earning a living as a film lyricist, Safia stayed back in Gwalior with their children, and wrote her absent husband a series of letters in Urdu. A collection of these letters, written between 1 October 1943 to 29 December 1953 penned, were first published in 1955 in two volumes under the title, "Harf-e-Aashna" and "Zer-e-Lab." Professor [[Asghar Wajahat]], former Head of the Hindi Department, [[Jamia Millia Islamia]], translated these letters into Hindi and this was published under the title "Tumhare Naam" in 2004.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20040721012648/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/01/08/stories/2004010800590300.htm Tumhare Naam, with love] [[The Hindu]], 8 January 2004.</ref>

Safia Akhtar died of cancer on 17 January 1953, less than ten years after her wedding, and left behind two sons.{{Citation needed|date=February 2020}} Jan Nisar left the children in the care of relatives while he pursued his hobbies of writing poetry and hobnobbing with various luminaries and socialites in Mumbai. Three years after Safia's death, Jan Nisar got married again on 17 September 1956, to Khadija Talat.
==Filmography==
===Lyricist===
* ''[[Baap Re Baap (1955 film)|Baap Re Baap]]'' (1955)<ref name="Bose2012">{{cite book |author=Derek Bose |title=Kishore Kumar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bL6bAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT88 |access-date=31 March 2015 |date=15 December 2012 |publisher=Rupa Publications |isbn=978-81-291-2658-0 |pages=88–}}</ref>
* ''[[Yasmin (1955 film)|Yasmin]]'' (1955)<ref>[http://www.bollyfm.net/bollyfm/mid/856/movie-lyrics.html Yasmin (1955) songs] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221062441/http://www.bollyfm.net/bollyfm/mid/856/movie-lyrics.html |date=21 December 2008 }}</ref>
* ''[[C.I.D. (1956 film)|CID]]'' (1956)
* ''[[Naya Andaz (1956 film)|Naya Andaz]]'' (1956)
* ''Black Cat'' (1956)
* ''[[Rustam Sohrab]]'' (1963)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dishant.com/lyricist/jan-nissar-akhtar.html |title=Jan Nisar Akhtar film songs |access-date=14 October 2009 |archive-date=3 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003102037/http://www.dishant.com/lyricist/jan-nissar-akhtar.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* ''[[Prem Parvat]]'' (1974)
* ''[[Shankar Hussain]]'' (1977)
* ''[[Noorie]]'' (1979)
* ''[[Razia Sultan (film)|Razia Sultan]]'' (1983)

===Producer===
*''[[Bahu Begum]]'' (1967)

==Works==
* ''Khamosh Awaz''
* ''Khak-e-dil'', Publisher: Nagara Tabaat, 1973.
* ''Hindustan Hamara'', Volume 1 & 2. 1965, 1974.
* ''Pichhle Peher''.
* ''GHAR AANGAN''.
* ''Harf-e-ashna: Khatut'' (Letters)
* ''Ja-Nisar Akhxtar ki Shai'iri: Urdu Hindi me yakja'', tr. by Amar Dihlavi. Publisher Star, 1983.
* ''Kuliyat-e-Jan Nisar Akhtar''. Publisher: Al-Muslim, 1992.
* ''Hamara Hindustan'' (anthology), Rajkamal Publications, 2006.
* ''Nigahon Ke Saaye'', ed. Vijay Akela, Rajkamal Publications, 2006. {{ISBN|81-267-1265-1}}.

==Further reading==
* ''Jan Nisar Akhtar'' by Kishwar Sultan. Publisher: Nasim Book Depot, 1977.
* ''Intikhab-i Kalam: Majaz, Jazbi, Jan Nisar Akhtar'', by [[Majaz]]. [[Sahitya Akademi]] Publications. {{ISBN|81-260-0165-8}}.
* ''Tumhare Naam''. Rajkamal Publications, 2004.
* [http://www.urdustudies.com/pdf/20/18SafiaAkhtar.pdf Letters to Jan Nisar Akhtar by Sufiya Akhtar, 1949] Annual of Urdu Studies vol. 20 (2005).
*[http://aligarians.com/category/poets/jan-nisar-akhtar/ A collection of verses by Jan Nisar Akhtar]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
* [http://www.raaga.com/channels/hindi/lyricist/Jan_Nisar_Akhtar.html Lyrics by Jan Nisar Akhtar]

==External links==
*[http://www.screenindia.com/old/print.php?content_id=13267 Exclusive innings, Biography]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} at [[Screen (magazine)|Screen]]
*{{IMDb name|id=0015286|name=Jan Nisar Akhtar}}
* [http://urdupoetry.com/jna.html Jan Nissar Akhtar Biography and works]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Akhtar, Jan Nisar}}
[[Category:1914 births]]
[[Category:1976 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian male poets]]
[[Category:Urdu-language Indian poets]]
[[Category:Indian lyricists]]
[[Category:Aligarh Muslim University alumni]]
[[Category:Writers from Gwalior]]
[[Category:Writers from Bhopal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Sahitya Akademi Award in Urdu]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian poets]]
[[Category:Poets from Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male writers]]

Jan Nisar Akhtar - Revision history

Musicalkd at 17:06, 16 October 2025