Manzar Lakhnavi (मंज़र लखनवी) was a renowned Urdu poet (शायर), essayist, calligrapher, and journalist associated with Lucknow (लखनऊ), the cultural hub of Urdu literature.
Biography
- Pen Name (तख़ल्लुस): Manzar (मंज़र)
- Real Name: Jaafar Hussain (or Jafar Hussain) ‘Manzar’ Lakhnavi (जाफ़र हुसैन ‘मंज़र’ लखनवी)
- Born: In Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India (exact birth year varies in sources; some references suggest around 1866, though primary reliable profiles do not specify a precise date beyond his Lucknow origin)
- Died: 28 May 1965 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
He was a classical Urdu poet known for his ghazals and other poetic works. Beyond poetry, he was multifaceted: he served as an editor for the prominent newspaper Oudh Akhbar (which played an important role in Urdu journalism and literature during the British era and after), wrote essays (निबंध), and was skilled in calligraphy (ख़ुश-नवीसी).
His poetry often reflects traditional Urdu styles, with themes of love, heartbreak, and classical imagery. Popular recitations of his ghazals (like “Mere Dil Ke Tukde Kiye Ja Rahe Hain”) are still shared widely on platforms today.
Note: He should not be confused with the more famous Majaz Lakhnavi (मजाज़ लखनवी, real name Asrar-ul-Haq, 1911–1955), a revolutionary and romantic poet of the progressive movement, or other similar-sounding names like Manzar Bhopali.