نسیم واسطی

Naseem Wasti is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich tradition of Islamic poetry and spiritual compositions. With deep respect for classical forms and contemporary expression, these works bridge the timeless wisdom of our faith with modern hearts seeking connection.

The enduring legacy of Urdu and Persian poetry in our family has been a cherished tradition, passed down from one generation to the next, starting from our ancestors to the present day. This saga of poetic heritage began with Syed Imam Ali, about 200 years ago, who was the great-grandson of my great-grandfather, Meer Syed Husain. The lineage further traces back to Syed Mohammad Sufi Husaini (Zaidiul Wasti) who is buried in Zafrabad. He was a relative and one of the caliph (Khalifa, i.e., successor) of Makhdoom Syed Asaduddin Husaini (Aaftab e Hind) who made his way to Zafrabad, in the district of Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, with others.

Meer Syed Imam Ali, a grandson of Meer Syed Husain, was a certified and authoritative Persian poet. His poetic legacy was further celebrated by Molvi Syed Nooruddin Zaidi, son of Meer Syed Barkat Ali Zafrabadi, who highlighted the names of various poets of Jaunpur (ShoaraeJaunpur) in his Persian book titled “Tajalli e Noor”. During the reign of the King of Benaras (Raja Banaras), Meer Syed Imam Ali held a distinguished position. His real nephew, Hakim Syed Amir Ali, was a notable authentic poet, whose name also graces the pages of Tajallie Noor.

In the third generation, Syed Khadim Husain, son of Hakeem Syed Amir Ali, shone as a great Urdu poet. Advancing to the fourth generation, my real brother Syed Naseem Akhtar Wasti's paternal great grand father Syed Gada Husain, had two sons, Syed Hasan Ali Weqar (holding the title Weqar) and Syed Shafqat Husain, both of whom were eloquent in Urdu poetry as well as elegy recitation and writing. Zulfiqar Hasnain, son of Razia Bibidaughter of Khatoon Bibi and granddaughter of another brother of Syed Gada Husain, too, made a name for himself as a recognized Urdu poet in Jaunpur city.

As the narrative of poetic tradition unfolds further, the fifth generation saw the emergence of Syed Ali Akhtar (holding the title Akhtar), son of Syed Agha Mohammad Mehdi and grandson of Syed Gada Husain, who was highly revered as a poet. His poetic collection, “Ziae Akhtar,” has been published, showcasing forms like Qaseeda\&Nauha. In this generation, Syed Ahmad Sayeed Khan "Tahir", son of Syed Abu Sibtain (nephew of Syed Gada Husain), also embraced the poetic stage.

The poetic lineage blossomed into the sixth generation with the likes of Syed Tafazzul Dawood Sayeed and Syed Asghar Mehdi Wasti, sons of Syed Abul Baqa and Syed Ali Akhtar respectively. However, Syed Asghar Mehdi Wasti had to take a hiatus from his poetic pursuits due to his government job and the bustling life in Bombay (Present day Mumbai).

The flame of Urdu poetry was rekindled with my real elder brother, Syed Naseem Akhtar Wasti, who emerged as a proficient Urdu poet. His poetic resonance echoed across various cities in India such as Mumbai, Hyderabad, Allahabad (Now Prayagraj), Sultanpur, Ghazipur, Benaras (Officially Varanasi), and more. Being a proud resident of Jaunpur, he became widely known as Naseem Wasti and became a regular at Urdu poetry gatherings in Jaunpur. He attained the status of Ustad among his contemporaries.

The hope remains for this cherished poetic legacy to continue thriving through the seventh generation, represented by Syed Jafar Mehdi “Arshi Wasti” and Syed Irfan Mehdi “Hasan Wasti”, sons of Syed Sagheer Mehdi Wasti (elder brother of Syed Naseem Wasti). Syed Shakir Naseem Wasti, the middle son of my late brother Syed Naseem Akhtar Wasti, has shown a keen interest in continuing this tradition of Urdu literature and poetry.

Our family, proudly descended from the authentic and certified Persian poet Syed Imam Ali Husaini, holds this poetic heritage close to our hearts, as beautifully encapsulated in the following couplet.

The tale of our ancestral lineage further unfurls in the writings of my eldest cousin, Syed Akhtar Mehdi Wasti sb., Marhoom, in his book “AkhtarulMehdiya”. It chronicles the journey of my great-grandfather, Syed Zia Husain sb., who parted ways with his native land, venturing towards Gwalior, and leaving behind his children, nephews and nieces. His days came to an end in Gwalior, where he was laid to rest. His matrimonial bonds were also forged in Gwalior, thus hinting at the possibility of some descendants residing there. However, the passage of time and a communication abyss have led to a lack of recorded information regarding subsequent generations.

A chapter in this familial saga recounts the voyage of his grandson, Syed Hasan Ali Weqar, and Syed Mohammad Hamza (my grandfather) to Gwalior, in hopes of tracing back their roots. Their quest led them to a meeting with a relative in Gwalior, yet the details remained shrouded in mystery, compelling them to return home with unanswered queries.

This intricate tapestry of our lineage, embroidered with tales of distant relatives and ancestral journeys, continues to be an essence of our identity, as we reminisce about the poetic souls and the indelible footprints they left in the sands of time.