Mohammed Haider Khan (15 September 1919 – 19 February 1999), better known by his takhallus (pen name/ nom de plume) Khumār Barabankvi was an Urdu poet and Hindi film lyricist from Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, India.Aalmi mushaira today Dawn newspaper, Published 21 March 2012, Retrieved 30 August 2026Profile of Khumar Barabankvi on Urdupoint.com website (scroll down for English version) Retrieved 30 August 2026
The word Khumar comes from the Arabic root Khum which means a jar of wine/intoxication. His ghazals are sung by many famous singers such as Mehdi Hassan, Ghulam Ali, K. L. Saigal, Talat Mahmood, Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Jagjit Singh and many other singers.Khumār Barabankvi poetry on urdupoetry.com website Retrieved 30 August 2026
Early life Khumar Barabankvi was born on 15 September 1919 in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh. He found 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 his young age and did Islah (corrections) to 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 poetry of love.
Khumar Barabankvi had a melodious voice and soon became popular in Mushairas (poetry reading live events). He also became 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.
Khumar has written some famous songs for Hindi films such as Shahjehan (1946 film),Khumar Barabankvi film songs on hindigeetmala.net website Retrieved 30 August 2026 Bara Dari (1955), 'Saaz aur Awaaz', and Love And God (1986) directed by K. Asif. He collaborated with noted composers like Naushad and Nashad among others. He wrote all the songs for the film 'Saaz Aur Awaaz' produced by Naushad in 1966 and wrote some songs again for the film Love and God (1986 film) for which Naushad again composed music.
Death Khumār Barabankvi died on 19 February 1999 at the age of 80.Filmography of Khumar Barabankvi on MuVyz.com website Retrieved 5 November 2020
Published work He had his work published as: 'Hadees-e-Deegaraan' 'Aatish-e-Tar' 'Raqs-e-Mai' "Shab-e- Tab" Aahang e Khumar (1995)
Filmography as a Hindi film lyricist
Year Film Songs writtenMusic DirectorNotes 1946 Shahjehan 3Naushad AliDebut filmDevarAt least 1Gulshan Sufi1947Andhoki DuniyaAt least 1Vasant DesaiMatwala Shair RamjoshiAt least 1Natak5Naushad Ali1949Dil Ki Basti1Ghulam MohammedRooplekha4Khan Mastana and Sajjad Hussain (separately)1950Aadhi Raat1Husnlal-BhagatramMeherbani3Khan Mastana1951Bikhre Moti2Ghulam MohammedHulchul10 (All)Sajjad Hussain and Mohammed Shafi Niyazi (separately)1954Darwaza3Nashad1955 Bara Dari10 (All)Rukhsana6Sajjad HussainShahzada3Nashad1956Jallad2Jawab9 (All)Lal-e-Yaman3Allah Rakha Qureshi1957Captain Kishore2Chitragupta SrivastavaDo Roti8 (All)Roshan Lal NagrathMehfil5Nashad1958Mehndi5Ravi Shankar Sharma1959Zara Bachke2Nashad1960Qatil11966Saaz Aur Awaaz9 (All)Naushad Ali1986Love and God9
References
External links Poems of Khumar Barabankvi -Urdu shayari of Khumar on rekhta.org website Khumar Barabankvi on IMDb website