Ravan

Jagat Mohan Lal Ravan was a classical Urdu poet from the Awadh region of Uttar Pradesh. Born in 1889, he grew up in a literary atmosphere where Lucknow and nearby Sitapur had strong traditions of Urdu poetry and culture. This environment nurtured his interest in literature and shaped his voice as a poet who worked mainly within classical forms. Ravan became known for his command over the rubai, a four-line verse form that demands concision and precision, but he also wrote ghazals, nazms and other short forms.

His poetry shows a deep respect for tradition while exploring philosophical and spiritual ideas. One of his notable achievements was a long poem on Gautam Buddha, which reflected his interest in moral and existential themes. His rubaiyat capture intense emotions or reflections in only a few lines, combining lyrical beauty with thoughtful insight. Many of his couplets deal with human relationships, inner struggles and the passage of time, showing both sensitivity and discipline.

Ravan’s work fits into the classical mould of Urdu poetry yet carries a personal tone that makes it distinctive. Readers appreciated his ability to handle established forms with freshness and sincerity. He belonged to a generation of poets who inherited the richness of the Persian-Urdu tradition but also lived in a period of social change, which lent his verses a subtle awareness of shifting values.

Although he is not as widely known today as some of his contemporaries, Jagat Mohan Lal Ravan continues to be remembered by scholars and enthusiasts of Urdu literature. Collections of his poetry are still read for their elegance and their ability to convey deep meaning within tightly crafted forms. He passed away in 1934, leaving behind a legacy of rubaiyat and other writings that preserve the grace and reflective power of classical Urdu poetry for future generations.