Barq

Barq Dehlvi was born in Delhi in 1884 into a Kayastha family with strong literary roots. His ancestors had held respected positions during Mughal times. His father, Munshi Har Narayan Das, was himself a poet of merit, and his maternal grandfather Daulat Ram ‘Ibrat’ wrote poetry and was a disciple of the noted court poet Zauq. From early on Barq was exposed to poetry and classical literary culture in Urdu. He received guidance in his poetic training from established poets, and developed a style that built on the classical forms while expressing his own sensibility.

Barq composed in several genres of Urdu literature including ghazals, nazms and couplets. He was also a playwright in his earlier days; among his plays are Krishna Avataar and Savitri, both of which were staged multiple times. His poetic collections include Krishna Darpan, Matla-i-Anwar and Harf-e-Natamaam. These works show his appreciation for both lyrical refinement and thematic variety. He often blended traditional motifs with contemporary concerns, giving his poetry both elegance and emotional resonance.

His style is marked by clarity of expression, attention to meter and rhyme, and a dignified tone that reflects his classical training. He drew on the ancient poetic heritage of Delhi but did not limit himself to mere imitation; his plays and poems show a willingness to experiment within tradition. Over time he became recognized as part of the later generation of Delhi poets who preserved the old poetic schools but also helped bridge with newer sensibilities.

Barq Dehlvi passed away in February 1936 in Panipat. After his death his collected works continued to be read and appreciated by lovers of Urdu literature. He remains remembered for his contribution to Urdu poetry through both his verse and his dramatic work, as someone who carried forward the heritage of Delhi’s poetic tradition into a changing world.