Habeeb

Jai Krishn Chaudhry, known by his pen-name Habeeb, was born in 1904 in Jabalpur, India. He grew up in a respected family deeply invested in education and literature. From early on he showed notable academic promise, performing well in his studies at the matriculation and intermediate levels. He went on to obtain a Master of Arts degree and then completed law studies, after which he began practicing law in 1929.

In addition to his legal profession, Habeeb was active in his country’s independence struggle and also held roles in Urdu literary life. He was known for his sensitivity in poetry, writing ghazals, nazms, shers (couplets), and qita, and his work displays both lyrical beauty and thoughtful reflection. Many of his verses explore themes of longing, separation, love, and the passage of time. His style balances classical Urdu poetic structure with the emotional texture of his era.

Habeeb’s involvement in public life included participation in nationalist movements and literary circles. His writing was not just for artistic expression but also carried undercurrents of commitment to the larger currents of his time. Over decades, his poetry continued to be published and recited by admirers. He left behind a body of work that includes over sixty shers, many nazms, several ghazals, and qitas. His poems are remembered for their evocative imagery, the clarity of sentiment, and musicality.

He died in 1984, leaving a legacy among Urdu readers who value the blend of scholarly command and poetic soul. Although he did not become a household name in all Urdu literary histories, for those who know his work, Jai Krishn Chaudhry Habeeb remains a poet whose words reflect both personal emotion and a broader engagement with his times.