Lucknowledge

Newsletter



Some lesser known facts about the ruler of Awadh, Wajid Ali Shah

Volume: 18, No: 08 ; August-2024

(This article has been rephrased from a report by a senior journalist, Shailvee Sharda published originally in The Times of India.)

Wajid Ali Shah, a sage: Fortune tellers were consulted when Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was born, and it was determined that he would become a yogi. The youngster was meant to become a Yogi, according to one of the astrologers. He suggested that the child’s mother dress him up like a “yogi” on his birthdays as a cure, and the custom lasted until the youngster turned 15 and got married.

Wajid Ali Shah, a connoisseur of music: When the Nawab was a toddler, no one could comfort him when he sobbed. A maid once performed a song and played an instrument. His natural love of music may have been the reason the ruse worked. Later, he studied music with some of the greatest instructors of the day, such as Thakur Prasad for Kathak and Pyare Khan (together with Basit Khan and Jaffar Khan) for vocal music.

Wajid Ali Shah, a playwright: India’s first Urdu play was not actually penned by Agha Hasan Amanat as commonly believed. In fact, Wajid Ali Shah was the true playwright of the first Urdu play and opera called ‘Qissa Radha Kanhaiya’ in 1842-43. Additionally, Wajid Ali Shah’s script contained several hidayats, which also established him as the first director of an Urdu play. Through this play, Wajid Ali Shah’s profound adoration for Krishna was unveiled, as he even portrayed the role of the Lord in various ‘Rahas’ (dance drama) presentations.

Wajid Ali Shah, betrayed by circumstances: The British always had their eyes on Awadh and believed that the Nawab’s passion for the arts could be manipulated to their advantage. Despite this, the Nawab proved to be a skilled ruler. Adapting their approach, the British schemed with local landlords to sow discord. They applied pressure by imposing a two-year deadline for reforms, causing him great anxiety and taking a toll on his health. Seizing this opportunity, they infiltrated his court and replaced his loyal supporters with their own agent. Ultimately, the Nawab found himself compelled to choose between engaging in war and relinquishing his position.

Wajid Ali Shah penned immortal Thumris: Wajid Ali Shah, also known by the pen name ‘Akhtarpiya’, penned more than 100 books during his lifetime, consisting of poems, songs, and plays. He is credited as the originator of ‘Thumri’ and his works are considered the foundation for contemporary ‘ghazal’.

Click Here To Checkout Wajid Ali Shah Walk 

Credits : This article has been rephrased from a report by a senior journalist, Shailvee Sharda published originally in The Times of India.


LUCKNOWLEDGE is an initiative by Tornos. We do not intend to intrude your privacy and thus have an automated UNSUBSCRIBE system. At any point you may unsubscribe to our e-column or subscribe to it again through a link on our website. The above article is shared and in no way intends to violate any copy right or intellectual rights that always remains with the writer/publisher. This e-column is a platform to share an article/event/update with the netizens and educate them about Destination Lucknow.

Some lesser known facts about the ruler of Awadh, Wajid Ali Shah

(This article has been rephrased from a report by a senior journalist, Shailvee Sharda published originally in The Times of India.)

Wajid Ali Shah, a sage: Fortune tellers were consulted when Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was born, and it was determined that he would become a yogi. The youngster was meant to become a Yogi, according to one of the astrologers. He suggested that the child’s mother dress him up like a “yogi” on his birthdays as a cure, and the custom lasted until the youngster turned 15 and got married.

Wajid Ali Shah, a connoisseur of music: When the Nawab was a toddler, no one could comfort him when he sobbed. A maid once performed a song and played an instrument. His natural love of music may have been the reason the ruse worked. Later, he studied music with some of the greatest instructors of the day, such as Thakur Prasad for Kathak and Pyare Khan (together with Basit Khan and Jaffar Khan) for vocal music.

Wajid Ali Shah, a playwright: India’s first Urdu play was not actually penned by Agha Hasan Amanat as commonly believed. In fact, Wajid Ali Shah was the true playwright of the first Urdu play and opera called ‘Qissa Radha Kanhaiya’ in 1842-43. Additionally, Wajid Ali Shah’s script contained several hidayats, which also established him as the first director of an Urdu play. Through this play, Wajid Ali Shah’s profound adoration for Krishna was unveiled, as he even portrayed the role of the Lord in various ‘Rahas’ (dance drama) presentations.

Wajid Ali Shah, betrayed by circumstances: The British always had their eyes on Awadh and believed that the Nawab’s passion for the arts could be manipulated to their advantage. Despite this, the Nawab proved to be a skilled ruler. Adapting their approach, the British schemed with local landlords to sow discord. They applied pressure by imposing a two-year deadline for reforms, causing him great anxiety and taking a toll on his health. Seizing this opportunity, they infiltrated his court and replaced his loyal supporters with their own agent. Ultimately, the Nawab found himself compelled to choose between engaging in war and relinquishing his position.

Wajid Ali Shah penned immortal Thumris: Wajid Ali Shah, also known by the pen name ‘Akhtarpiya’, penned more than 100 books during his lifetime, consisting of poems, songs, and plays. He is credited as the originator of ‘Thumri’ and his works are considered the foundation for contemporary ‘ghazal’.

Click Here To Checkout Wajid Ali Shah Walk