Amjad Najmi

Amjad Najmi, whose full name was Shaikh Muhammad Amjad, was born on 29 October 1899 in Buxi Bazar, Cuttack, which was then part of the Bengal Presidency in British India. He grew up in a literary environment: his father Muhammad Yousuf Yousuf was an Urdu poet and taught him early lessons in verse. Amjad attended Madrasa Islamia in Buxi Bazar and then studied at the Roman Catholic Middle English School. Even while still a teenager he showed deep interest in Odia, Urdu, Persian, and English, languages which later featured prominently in his poetry and writings.

He began formal literary training around 1916 when he enrolled at Peary Mohan Academy in Cuttack for his matriculation exam. At that time he also took mentorship in poetry from Habibullah Tasnim Jaipuri, imam of Paltan Masjid. After his mentor left, Amjad took corrections and guidance from his father and from Rahmat Ali Rahmat. An influence on his poetic worldview was Muhammad Iqbal, though Najmi was advised to continue studying the senior poets thoroughly. He also gained exposure to Persian through study under Shamsuddin Shams Muneeri, who was then a lecturer in law.

From early years Najmi took part in public cultural activity. He became associated with nationalist movements like the Khilafat and non-cooperation movements. He recited his own poems and those of others at events, and was jailed briefly during these political upheavals. In 1922 he started working for the railways in Cuttack. Soon after, he helped found Bazm-e-Adab, a literary society in Cuttack, which held its first Mushaira in 1923. He also founded or helped lead literary groups in other locations, including establishing Bazm-e-Adab in Waltair (Visakhapatnam) and later the All-Andhra Urdu Majlis.

Najmi’s writing includes Urdu poetry collections, plays, and critical prose. Two of his well-known poetry books are Tulu-e-Sahar and Joo-e-Kahkashan. His literary style shows a blend of classical form and modern sensibility. He also served as editor for the Urdu literary monthly Shakhsar between about 1965 and 1973. After retirement, he returned to live in Cuttack, where despite modest means he continued writing and promoting Urdu literature.

Amjad Najmi passed away on 1 February 1974 in Cuttack. He is remembered as “Najm-ash-Shu’ara” and “Shayer-e-Orissa,” titles given in recognition of his excellence in poetry and his contribution to Urdu literary culture in Odisha. His collected works have been published posthumously, preserving his voice for later generations.