aaj ik aur baras biit gayā us ke baġhair
jis ke hote hue hote the zamāne mere
Dr. Syed Noorul Amin, also known by his pen name Noorul Amin, hails from Parbhani, a district in Maharashtra, India, renowned for its rich literary and cultural heritage. Historically, during the Nizam era, Parbhani was part of the Deccan region under Hyderabad. After India's independence, when Maharashtra was formed on May 1, 1960, Parbhani became a part of the Marathwada region. Marathwada is often referred to as the land of poets Wali and Siraj.
Parbhani holds historical and spiritual significance, as it was chosen by Hazrat Syed Shah Turab-ul-Haq (RA) as a center for his religious and spiritual guidance. His shrine continues to be a place of reverence for people of all faiths. His famous literary work, Man Samjavan, is a poetic translation of Marathi saint-poet Ramdas's Manache Shlok. The district is also known as the birthplace of Saint Namdev, considered one of the earliest poets of Urdu. His Hindi verses (Pad) are included in the Guru Granth Sahib. Furthermore, the town of Pathri in Parbhani district is believed to be the birthplace of the revered spiritual figure, Sai Baba of Shirdi. In recent history, this land has been the center of activities of the religious scholar Hazrat Khalilullah Hussaini.
Parbhani's literary history boasts several notable figures in Urdu literature. Maulvi Karam Baksh Salim played a crucial role in inspiring Asad Ali Khan Tamanna Aurangabadi to write Gul-e-Ajaib, one of the earliest Urdu literary anthologies (tazkira). Among the classical poets who used Urdu ghazal as a medium of expression, Muniruddin Munir (d. 1920) remains a prominent name. Legendary poets like Yagana Changezi and Fani Badayuni also spent significant periods of their lives in Parbhani. Yagana Changezi wrote some of his groundbreaking critiques of Ghalib during his stay here, while Fani Badayuni's poetic journey also found a home in this land. Another major literary figure from this region is Mir Hashim, known for his aesthetic poetry. Women’s contribution to Urdu poetry from Parbhani is also noteworthy, with Maimoona Ghazal being a significant representative.
The renowned scholar of Iqbaliat (Iqbal Studies), Ashfaq Hussain, also hails from Parbhani. He was one of the first announcers of the Deccan Radio Station in Aurangabad, established after Hyderabad. Eminent Urdu intellectuals such as Imamuddin Yaqeen, a fearless communist leader, and poets like Akhtar Hussain Akhtar, Sultan Salib, and Suhail Ahmad Rizvi have enriched Urdu poetry from this region. Contemporary poets like Irfan Parbhanvi and Imdadullah Baig Ashar continue to keep Parbhani's poetic tradition alive. In prose, writers like Ibrahim Akhtar, Dr. Moin Shakir, Dr. Mazhar Mohiuddin, Shahrukh Sahrai, Yusuf Hameed, Dr. Saqib Anwar, and Dr. Noorul Amin have made significant contributions.
Dr. Noorul Amin was born in Parbhani. He completed his primary and secondary education at Dr. Zakir Hussain Primary School, Dr. Zakir Hussain High School, and Junior College in Parbhani. He belongs to the noble lineage of Sayyid Saadaat, tracing his ancestry back to Bukhara, Samarkand, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan before settling in the Deccan. His forefathers were engaged in trade and agriculture. His grandfather, Syed Basharat Ali Syed Amir Ali, and other ancestors were involved in transport and farming. His father, Syed Amir Ali Syed Basharat Ali, and uncle, Syed Abdul Hamid Ali Syed Basharat Ali, held esteemed positions at the State Bank of Hyderabad (now State Bank of India). His mother, Rehana Begum, daughter of Shabbir Ahmad Khan, is known for her piety and household management skills. Her prayers and guidance played a crucial role in shaping Dr. Noorul Amin’s academic, social, and literary achievements.
Dr. Noorul Amin is the eldest among his three brothers and three sisters, all of whom are educated and respected members of society. His academic qualifications include M.A. (in Urdu, English, History, and Psychology), B.Ed., M.Ed., M.Phil. in Education, NET in Urdu, and a Ph.D. His doctoral research focused on the renowned poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar, a significant figure in Urdu literature and Indian cinema.
Currently, Dr. Noorul Amin is associated with the Urdu Department of Sharada Mahavidyalaya, Parbhani, under the Model English Education Society. Previously, he served as the Principal of RBM College of Education for over nine years.
Published Works:
Dr. Noorul Amin has authored several books, which have been widely appreciated:
1. Band Aankhon Ke Sapne – Short story collection
2. Bohat Mushkil Hai Shuja Hona – Collection of essays
3. Javed Akhtar Ki Ghazal Goi – Study of Javed Akhtar’s ghazals
4. Javed Akhtar Ki Nazm Nigari – Study of Javed Akhtar’s nazms
5. Javed Akhtar Ki Naghma Nigari – Study of Javed Akhtar’s film songs
6. Urdu Tanqeed – Literary criticism
7. Danishwaran-e-Hind – Essays on Indian intellectuals
8. Noor-e-Adab – Literary writings
9. Nigarisat-e-Adab (Part 3) – Study of Masnavi and Rubaiyat
10. Nigarisat-e-Adab (Part 3) – Study of Qasida and Marsiya
11. Tareekh-e-Urdu Adab – History of Urdu literature
12. Afsana Aur Novel – Study of fiction
13. Urdu Drama Aur Inshaiya – Study of drama and essays
14. Urdu Sahafat – Study of Urdu journalism
15. Ghazal Aur Nazm – Study of poetry
16. Maktub Nigari Aur Khaka Nigari – Study of letters and sketches
17. Maulana Azad: Ek Khasoosi Mutala – Study of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
18. Urdu Drama Ka Mutala – Study of Urdu drama
19. Marathwada Mein Urdu Adab: Parbhani Zila Ke Hawale Se – Study of Urdu literature in Marathwada, focusing on Parbhani
20. Urdu Tehqiq – Study of Urdu research
21. She’r Ke Parde Mein – Critical discussions, analyses, and letters
Dr. Noorul Amin is well-versed in writing, editing, research, and literary criticism. He is a member of the Board of Studies at Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded, and Ahilya Devi Holkar University, Solapur. He also serves as a research supervisor.
His contributions span various prose genres, including short stories, microfiction, drama, research, and criticism. Therefore, it is essential to explore his literary contributions to introduce them to the academic and literary world, enabling scholars and readers to benefit from his work.