Mohsin Aziz

Today, 17 October 2022, Aligarh Muslim University and it’s alumni spread globally are celebrating founders Day popularly called Sir Syed Day. One enduring tradition of every Sir Syed Day program is the singing of University Tarana (University Song) at the end. Alumni eagerly wait for the Tarana. It transports them instantly to their days at the university.

It is a tradition in many colleges and universities to have their own song which describes the history and ethos of that educational institution. The university song is often the link between the university and it’s alumni. However it can be said without an iota of doubt that the connection that alumni of Aligarh Muslim University have with the University Tarana has no parallel. It keeps alumni emotionally connected throughout life. I have never seen alumni of any other educational institution getting so nostalgic about their Alma Mater on hearing the Tarana that it can’t be described in words. Whenever the Tarana is played it is hard to miss the moist eyes of the alumni, yours truly included.

The University Tarana of Aligarh Muslim University was written by an illustrious alumnus of the institution, Asrarul Haq Majaz populary known as Majaz Lakhnawi. Majaz is often referred to as Keats of Urdu Poetry). There are many stories about the origin of the tarana. However, they are stories only.

While studying at Aligarh Muslim University Majaz wrote an ode to his Alma Mater in 1936 named Nazr-e-Aligarh (Tribute to Aligarh). It was first presented by Majaz himself in the Union Hall of the University in the same year. However, he was stopped from reciting the full poem by the then Pro Vice Chancellor, A. B. Ahmad Haleem as he did not like certain lines of Nazr-e-Aligarh. He had to leave the Union Hall without completing it. However on popular demand Majaz completed the poem outside in the lawns. It became an instant hit. The poem was liked by the students and was popular but still not the official song of the university.

In one of his address to the students, the then Vice Chancellor, Dr. Zakir Hussain asked students to do something long lasting for the University. One of the students in the gathering was Ishtiyaq Ahmad Khan, doing B.Ed at that time. He decided to give tune to Nazr-e-Aligarh and present it to the University as his gift and what a wonderful gift it turned out to be. It was on 17 October 1954 that Khan Ishtiyaq presented abridged version of the poem with his own tune during Sir Syed Day function in Strachy Hall. By the time it was finished everybody was mesmerized. It was praised by Dr. Zakir Hussain. There was no turning back and the tune given by Khan Ishtiyaq became de facto official song of the University which is now played at the end of any major University program before the recital of National Anthem. Alumni associations spread around the world keep the tradition alive by playing the Tarana at the end of any program which they organize in their respective countries, thus connecting them emotionally with their Alma Mater. Many versions of the tune have been played with but the original tune of Khan Ishtiyaq is the official song or Tarana of the University. Personally I have the good fortune of meeting Khan Ishtiyaq several times at my home. It was during the years 1990 to 1992 that he visited my father at our home several times. I am witness to his passion for Aligarh Muslim University. Khan Sb was a very simple man. He would often visit Aligarh and could be seen walking around campus. At that time we were staying in a University house at C- 20 Zakir Bagh. During my recent visit to Aligarh I found that C-20 no longer exists. Some university department has come up in its place but I was happy to see the mulberry tree that I planted still standing tall bearing fruits.

AMU Tarana

Ye mera chaman hai mera chaman, main apne chaman ka bulbul huṅ
Sarshaar-e-nigaah-e-nargis huṅ, paabasta-e-gesoo-e sumbul huṅ
Ye mera chaman, ye mera chaman, Ye mera chaman hai mera chaman,
main apne chaman ka bulbul huṅ!

Jo taaq-e-haram mein roshan hai woh shama yahan bhi jalti hai,
Iss dasht ke goshey goshey se ik jooy-e-hayat ubalti hai
Ye dasht-e-junuṅ deewanoṅ ka, ye bazm-e-wafaa parwanoṅ ki
Ye shehr-e-tarab roomanoṅ ka, ye khuld-e-bareeṅ armaanoṅ ki

Fitrat ne sikhayee hai humko uftaad yahaṅ parwaaz yahaṅ
Gaaye haiṅ wafaa ke geet yahaṅ, chheda hai junuṅ ka saaz yahaṅ
Ye mera chaman hai mera chaman, main apne chaman ka bulbul huṅ!
Iss bazm mein tegheiṅ khiṅchiṅ hain, is bazm mein saaḡar todey haiṅ
Iss bazm mein aankh bichhaayee hai, iss bazm mein dil tak jodey haiṅ

Har sham hai shaam-e-Misr yahaṅ, har shab hai shab-e Shiraz yahaṅ
Hai saarey jahaṅ ka soz yahaṅ aur saarey jahaṅ ka saaz yahaṅ
Zarraat ka bosa lene ko sau baar jhuka aakaash yahaṅ
Khud aaṅkh se hamne dekhi hai baatil ki shikast-e-faash yahaṅ
Ye mera chaman hai mera chaman, main apne chaman ka bulbul huṅ!

Jo abr yahaṅ se utthega, wo sarey jahaṅ par barsega
Har jooy-e-rawaaṅ par barsega, har koh-e-garaaṅ par barsega
Har sarw-o-saman par barsega, har dasht-o-daman par barsega
Khud apne chaman par barsega, gairoṅ ke chaman par barsega

Har shahr-e-tarab par garjega, har qasr-e-tarab par kadkega
Ye abr hamesha barsa hai, ye abr hamesha barsega
Ye abr hamesha barsa hai, ye abr hamesha barsega
Ye abr hamesha barsa hai, ye abr hamesha barsega
Barsega, barsega, barsega!

Many videos, official and unofficial have since been made on the Tarana. Here I am giving links of some of them. Enjoy and comment which one is your favourite. Dear Aligs happy Sir Syed Day