Barkat Ali Ghulam Hussain Virani, known by his pen name Befām,
was Gujarati author and poet especially known for his
ghazal
''Ghazal'' is a form of amatory poem or ode, originating in Arabic poetry that often deals with topics of spiritual and romantic love. It may be understood as a poetic expression of both the pain of loss, or separation from the beloved, and t ...
s.
Life
Barkat Ali was born on 25 November 1923 in
Ghanghali village near
Sihor
Sihor (Gujarati language, Gujarati: સિહોર ) is a town, a municipality in Bhavnagar district in the Indian States and territories of India, state of Gujarat. Placed along the river Gautami, this erstwhile capital of the Gahlot, Gohil ...
in
Bhavnagar district. He was interested in literature since age of fourteen when he wrote his first ghazal.
He completed his primary and secondary education from
Bhavnagar
Bhavnagar is a city and the headquarters of Bhavnagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It was founded in 1723 by Bhavsinhji Gohil. It was the capital of Bhavnagar State, which was a princely state before it was merged into the Dominion ...
. He was taught poetry by Qismat Qureshi. He left
matriculation
Matriculation is the formal process of entering a university, or of becoming eligible to enter by fulfilling certain academic requirements such as a matriculation examination.
Australia
In Australia, the term ''matriculation'' is seldom used no ...
to participate in 1942
Quit India Movement. He moved to
Mumbai
Mumbai ( ; ), also known as Bombay ( ; its official name until 1995), is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is the financial capital and the most populous city proper of India with an estimated population of 12 ...
in 1945 on suggestion of Shayda. He met
Mareez
Abbas Abdul Ali Vasi (22 February 1917 – 19 October 1983), known popularly as Mareez, was an Indian poet of Gujarati language, mainly popular for his Ghazals. He is popularly known as '' Ghalib of Gujarat''. He left studies in young age and ...
there and was later employed at
Aakashvani radio. He married Ruqaiyya, the elder daughter of
Shayda, in 1952. He died on 2 January 1994 in
Mumbai
Mumbai ( ; ), also known as Bombay ( ; its official name until 1995), is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is the financial capital and the most populous city proper of India with an estimated population of 12 ...
.
He was associated with
Gujarati cinema
Gujarati cinema, also known as Dhollywood, is the segment of Cinema of India, Indian cinema, dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Gujarati language widely spoken in the state of Gujarat. It is based in Ahmedabad. It is one ...
. He appeared in Gujarati film ''
Mangalfera
''Mangalfera'' is 1949 Indian Gujarati social drama film directed by Ratibhai Punatar. It starred Nirupa Roy and Manhar Desai in lead roles and was a remake of the 1941 Hindi film '' Shaadi''.
Plot
In their childhood, Shobha and Mangal's fathe ...
'' (1949) and wrote lyrics of several film songs; ''
Divadandi
''Divadandi'' () is 1950 Indian Gujarati social drama film directed by Balwant Bhatt.
Plot
Sailor Lakhu Malam raises and teaches sailing to his foster-son Kano. Lakhu's son Kavli feels jealous of Kano. When Kano falls in love with Motan, Kavli ...
'' (1950), ''Akhand Saubhagyavati'' (1963), ''Kulvadhu'' (1997), ''Jalam Sang Jadeja'', ''Snehbandhan''.
Works
He published
Ghazal
''Ghazal'' is a form of amatory poem or ode, originating in Arabic poetry that often deals with topics of spiritual and romantic love. It may be understood as a poetic expression of both the pain of loss, or separation from the beloved, and t ...
poetry collections; ''Mansar'' (1960), ''Ghata'' (1970), ''Pyas'' (1980), ''Parab''.
He has also written short stories, stage plays, radio plays and film songs.
See also
* List of Gujarati-language writers
The following is an alphabetical list of Gujarati writers who has contributed in Gujarati literature; presenting an overview of notable authors, journalists, novelists, playwrights, poets and screenwriters who have released literary works in the Gu ...
References
External links
Selected works on MaaGurjari
{{DEFAULTSORT:Virani, Barkat
1923 births
1994 deaths
Gujarati-language writers
Gujarati-language poets
People from Bhavnagar district
20th-century Indian poets
Indian male ghazal singers
20th-century Indian male singers
20th-century Indian singers
Indian male poets
Singers from Gujarat
Poets from Gujarat
20th-century Indian male writers