Khumar Barabankvi was one of the greatest Urdu poets of of his time. His actual name was Mohammed Haidar Khan, but he wrote under the takhallus (pen name) of Khumar, which means intoxication. He was born in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh. There was a poetic environment in his family during his childhood. His father, Dr. Ghulam Haider, wrote salaams and marsiyas under pen name ‘Bahar’. His uncle ‘Qaraar Barabnkvi’ was a well-known poet of Barabanki who guided Khumar in young age and did Islah (corrections) of his poetry. His brother Kazim Haider ‘Nigar’, who died in early age, was also a poet. Khumar completed his high school from Government College, Barabanki. He then moved to Lucknow for his Intermediate classes where a romantic turn in his life made him quit education and start writing love poetry.
Khumar Barabankvi had a melodious voice and soon became popular in Mushairas (poetry reading live events). He also got acquainted with the poet Jigar Moradabadi and remained in association with him for a long period. His ghazals and voice made him a favorite in Mushairas. Jigar Muradabadi and Khumar Barabankvi were known to guarantee for the success of any mushaira with their poetry as well as their melodious voice and style of recitation. Khumar was an ardent supporter of classical ghazal like Jigar Moradabadi.
vahī phir mujhe yaad aane lage haiñ
jinheñ bhūlne meñ zamāne lage haiñ
~ Khumar Barabankvi
