Jameel Mazhari: (1904 - 1980), Jameel Mazhari was a versatile poet but is remembered more as one of the founders of modern Marsiya. He was born in Patna and died a bachelor. Absorbed in the themes of Allah, Man and the Universe - dejected as a lover, fiery as a revolutionary, ecstatic as a devotee and indomitable as a worshipper. 'Mathnavi Ab-o-Sarab' (The Masnavi of water and mirage), a long poem (1963), is Jameel's philosophy where he evocatively observes that Man is afflicted by an unquenchable thirst for he has neglected Allah's purpose in making him His nominee on earth and ritual prayer distanced man from the will required to conquer the universe. His publications include - 'Shikast-o-Fatah' (1950), 'Naqsh-i-Jameel' (1953), 'Fikr-i-Jameel' (1958), 'Irfan-i-Jameel' (1969), 'Wijdan-i-Jameel' (1978), 'Asar-i-Jameel' (1988) and 'Masoorat-i-Jameel Mazhari', two volumes (1992). Jameel Mazhari was honoured with Ghalib Modi award for poetry in 1974. His career stints include editor Daily Hind, Calcutta (1931), columnist Asre-I-Jadid (1933-37), Publicity Officer, Congress government (1937-42), Bollywood (1945-46), deputy director, publicity, Bihar (1947), professor, Patna College (1950-55), and professor, Patna University (1955-60). His is a name that is taken with utmost respect in Urdu circles. The complete works of this legendary poet have recently been published by the title of Kulliyat-e-Jamil Mazhari. Allama Jamil Mazhari never cared about name or fame. And this is one reason, he was often neglected by critics.

Best couplet:

1. hameen thhey apne liye aap ek hijaab Jamil 
    ham uthh gaye to zamaane ne hamko pahchaana

2. baqadar-e-paimaana-e-takhayyul suruur har dil mein hai khudee ka 
    agar na ho ye fareb-e-paiham to dam nikal jaaye aadmii ka

'Mathnavi Ab-o-Sarab' (The Masnavi of water and mirage), a long poem (1963), is Jameel's philosophy where he evocatively observes that Man is afflicted by an unquenchable thirst for he has neglected Allah's purpose in making him His nominee on earth and ritual prayer distanced man from the will required to conquer the universe.

During the Quit India Movement of 1942, the country's independence movement, he resigned in writing from a government post using his own blood as ink. He was jailed promptly under the Security Act imposed by the colonial British ruler.

Jameel Mazhari's friendship with Josh Malihabadi landed him in India's Bollywood industry. He wrote lyrics for 'Kurukshetra' (1945), songs for 'Jhooti Qasmein' and 'Baghawat' and, in 1946, he wrote the story, dialogues and lyrics of a film on Waris Shah, which was exhibited in 1982 after his death.

His publications include - 'Shikast-o-Fatah' (1950), 'Naqsh-i-Jameel' (1953), 'Fikr-i-Jameel' (1958), 'Irfan-i-Jameel' (1969), 'Wijdan-i-Jameel' (1978), 'Asar-i-Jameel' (1988) and 'Masoorat-i-Jameel Mazhari', two volumes (1992).

Jameel Mazhari was honoured with Ghalib Modi award for poetry in 1974. Jameel Mazhari was a generous unmarried man who regularly helped widows, orphans and impoverished students out of his income. He was born in Patna. 

 علامہ جمیل مظہری