Various people have contributed in different ways to the Assamese literary world. One of them is Mafizuddin Ahmed Hazarika, a notable litterateur and poet. Mafizuddin Ahmed Hazarika is the first Sufistic philosopher poet in Assamese language not associated with the ‘Jonaki‘ paper even though he is a contemporary of the Writers of the “Jonaki era.” Ahmed Hazarika, who has been able to occupy a distinct place in Assamese poetry literature by composing poems with some different characteristics through his creative talent, has a special identity in Assamese poetry literature.
Biography of Mafizuddin Ahmed Hazarika
| Name | Mafizuddin Ahmed Hazarika[1] |
| Date of Birth | August 30, 1870 |
| Place of Birth | Dibrugarh |
| Father’s Name | Himmatuddin Ahmed Hazarika |
| Mother’s Name | Rahnuri Ahmed Hazarika |
| Education | Dibrugarh Government High School |
| Death | October 29, 1958 |
Early Life of Mafizuddin Ahmed Hazarika
Mafizuddin Ahmed Hazarika, who occupied a special place in poetry literature by composing poems with some different and unique characteristics, was born in 1870 to a noble Muslim family in Dibrugarh district. Importantly, Mafizuddin Ahmed Hazarika is the descendant of Bagh Hazarika who played an important role with Lachit Barphukan to defeat the Mughals in the Saraighat war. Ahmed Hazarika, who completed his formal education at his birthplace Dibrugarh, appeared for the entrance examination from the Government High School in Dibrugarh in 1892 but could not pass the examination, but he joined the forest department job in North Lakhimpur in 1893. He later served as a bureaucrat in the Lakhmipur court as well. Later, he moved to Dibrugarh, Kasari in 1902 and retired as clerk from Dibrugarh Kasari in 1926.
Mafizuddin Ahmed Hazarika is one of the best spiritualist poets around the world who has not only confined to Assam or India. Ahmed Hazarika, who did not restrict spiritual thought without being confined to any religious periphery despite being a Muslim by birth, was equally influenced by the basic ideals of Indian traditional religion and Islam.
Also Read : Biography of Birinchi Kumar Barua
Literary Works
The first poetry book of Mafizuddin Ahmed Hazarika was published at a very young age. At the age of 26, he included poems like “Biswa Khanikar”, “Marishalikhani”. His first poetry book was published in 1896 known as “Gyan Malini.” It may be recalled that the expression and thought language of the poems included in Gyan Malini created a new trend at that time. ‘Gyan-Malini’ which emerged with modern thinking and spirituality is a mirror of life in Assamese poetry and literature. The collection of Gyan-Malini poems published exactly a hundred and fifteen years ago as an eternal, true enlightening poetry symbol remains the status quo. That is why Mafizuddin Ahmed Hazarika is known in the Assamese literary world as the poet of “Gyan Malini.” It may be recalled that in Assamese poetry in a very strong and powerful yet simple language, Ahmed Hazarika’s knowledge never reflected the ideals of spirituality and morality before Malini. So, Gyan Malini’s place in Assamese poetry literature is unique. The philosophy of ‘Sufism of Islam’ and the concept of ‘The Supreme Brahma of Hindus’ are clearly expressed through Gyan Malini, written about 125 years ago today.
Mafizuddin Ahmed Hazarika’s poems, which are clearly expressed in dispassion, plays an important role in giving a constructive theoretical idea in taking life in the right direction. Dr. Nagen Saikia commented that “The Assamese nation, Assamese literature, never knew that Mafizuddin’s “Gyan Malini” contributed to the flow of Assamese poetry and literature in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.”
It may be recalled that if we look at the poems of Ahmed Hazarika, we can also see him as a worthwhile pictorial poet. In one word he is one of the first Assamese modern pictorial poets.
“Kanaklal Baruadev commented on Mafizuddin Ahmed Hazarika’s creation that it was not thought that such a beautiful expression could be expressed with the perfect homemade Assamese word. In fact, the beautiful use of Sanskrit in Assamese language is impossible to write in such poems using it less.”
Importantly, Mafizuddin Ahmed Hazarika’s first published poetry collection “Gyan Malini” contains many deeply emotional poems even though it is small. It may be recalled that one of the poem published by him is a notable poem “Biswa Khanikar.” Many poetry critics say the spiritual height of this poem is extraordinary. Ahmed Hazarika’s thoughts and life-giving can be reflected in this poem that uniquely reflects the world of spirituality.
The theme of his poem is spiritual because of the impact of Sufism philosophy in the poetry of Mafizuddin Ahmed Hazarika. Importantly, at a time when spiritual philosophy was strongly reflected in the poems of Mafizuddin Ahmed Hazarika, the poems of other poets of his contemporaries did not reflect spiritual philosophy in a strong way. Ahmed Hazarika was the first Sufistic philosopher poet in Assamese language.
It is easy and understandable for the general reader to present the mysterious world of spirituality and Sufism in a simple language. Ahmed Hazarika’s poem reflects religious morality against religious narrowness. He has expressed through poetry that he is free from the worldly illusion and attains moksha and closeness to God.
It may be recalled that Ahmed Hazarika served as secretary of the Dibrugarh, Sahitya Sabha for 30 long years from 1904 to 1934. He also decorated the seat of president of Assam Sahitya Sabha session held in Golaghat in 1930. Ahmed Hazarika also served as president of the students’ meeting held in Sivasagar in 1913. He also presided over the “Chatra Sanmilan” held at Shivsagar in 1930. Importantly, Ahmed Hazarika also received a literary pension from the Assam government for his outstanding contribution to the field of Assamese literature.
Mafizuddin Ahmed Hazarika has occupied a special place in Assamese poetry literature through his creative talent even though he did not publish poetry in The Jonaki magazine published from Kolkata in 1889. According to the poet, the precious lives of man are wasted by the greed of the worldly world. So Ahmed Hazarika, freed himself from the illusion of sansar and greed and revealed the true meaning of life in a strong way by distinguishing the true truth and mystery of life and attaining the essence of Sufism.
Ahmed Hazarika, who has been able to create a new genre in Assamese poetry literature by composing poems of Sufi philosophy, is a literary figure whose evergreen creation swayed the readership even today. But unfortunately, even today, the entire poem of Mafizuddin Ahmed Hazarika, the creator of Gyan-Malini, has not been discussed in detail till date. Which is very unfortunate for Assamese literature. Not only from a literary point of view but also the poems of Ahmed Hazarika enabled the reader community to give a constructive theoretical idea in taking life in the right direction.
Conclusion
Mafizuddin Ahmed Hazarika’s creations is unique, and able to touch the hearts of the reader community with subtle insights, deep observations and distinctive writing style. Ahmed Hazarika has occupied a distinct place in Assamese literature for his unique and impeccable creations. This man, who is inspired by human values, is the pride of the Assamese nation. Mafizuddin Ahmed Hazarika, who has a devoted pursuit for Assamese literature and history, is the pride of Assam and the Assamese. Ahmed Hazarika, known as the poet of Sufi philosophy in Assamese poetry literature, proved that even if there is not much formal education, people can succeed through their creative talent, hard work and relentless pursuits. Mafizuddin Ahmed Hazarika is the path for future generations.
Mafizuddin Ahmed Hazarika, who was able to create a new genre in Assamese literature at the end of the 19th century and early 20th century, died in 1958.
FAQ
1. When and where was Mafizuddin Ahmed Hazarika born?
Ans: Mafizuddin Ahmed Hazarika was born on August 30, 1870 at Dibrugarh, Assam.
2. Who is known as the poet of Gyan Malini?
Ans: Mafizuddin Ahmed Hazarika is known in the Assamese literary world as the poet of “Gyan Malini.”
3. What is fathers and mothers name of Mafizuddin Ahmeed Hazarika?
Ans: Mafizuddin Ahmed Hazarika’s fathers name is Himmatuddin Ahmed Hazarika and mothers name is Rahnuri Ahmed Hazarika.
4. When did Mafizuddin Ahmed Hazarika’s first poetry “Gyan Malini” published?
Ans: His first poetry book “Gyan Malini.” was published in 1896.
5. When did Mafizuddin Ahmed died?
Ans: Mafizuddin Ahmed Hazarika died in 1958.
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