Huma Khalil is a distinguished author, filmmaker, and a pivotal figure in the contemporary movement for the preservation and promotion of the Urdu language and literature. As the Creative Director of the Rekhta Foundation, she stands at the forefront of leveraging modern technology to connect a new generation with the rich cultural and literary heritage of Urdu. Her work is a seamless blend of artistic creativity, scholarly rigour, and a profound personal connection to the literary world she was born into.
Huma Khalil was cradled in the lap of Urdu poetry. She is the daughter of the eminent poet and literary critic, Khaleel-Ur-Rehman Azmi (1927-1978), a leading figure in the Progressive Writers’ Movement and a celebrated professor at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). Her upbringing in Aligarh was steeped in literary discourse, with her home being a frequent haunt for the titans of Urdu literature.
This formidable legacy extends further. Her paternal uncle (chacha) was the legendary poet Akhlaq Mohammed Khan, better known by his pen name ‘Shahryar’ (1936-2012), a recipient of the prestigious Jnanpith Award. Shahryar famously penned a heart-wrenching nazm (poem) on the untimely death of his elder brother, Huma’s father. Her cousin, Kamal Ahmed Siddiqi, was also a noted poet and scholar, adding another layer to the family’s profound literary influence. This unique environment provided her with an intimate understanding and deep-seated love for the nuances of Urdu poetry and prose from a very young age.
Huma Khalil is an alumna of Aligarh Muslim University, where she studied English Literature. Her career is a testament to her mission of carrying her family’s legacy forward, not as a static inheritance but as a dynamic, living tradition.
Her most significant contribution is through her role as the Creative Director of the Rekhta Foundation and a trustee of the Rekhta Foundation UK. In this capacity, she spearheads the creative vision of the organisation, conceptualising and producing high-quality digital and video content that makes Urdu’s literary treasures accessible to a global audience. Her work is crucial in bridging the gap between the classical traditions of Urdu and the digital sensibilities of the youth.
Huma Khalil’s contributions are multifaceted, spanning filmmaking, writing, and editorial work.
Filmmaker:
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Majaz: A Romantic Revolutionary (also known as Majaz: A Life in Poetry): Huma Khalil wrote and directed this critically acclaimed biopic on the life of Asrar-ul-Haq Majaz, famously known as the “Keats of Urdu poetry.” The film explores his passionate, revolutionary poetry and his tragic life, offering a poignant look at one of Urdu’s most celebrated and troubled figures.
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Anjuman-E-Aligarh: This film is a heartfelt tribute to her alma mater, Aligarh Muslim University, and its vibrant literary and cultural society, the Anjuman-e-Urdu-e-Mualla. The film celebrates the institution’s role in nurturing generations of poets, writers, and intellectuals.
Author and Editor:
- The Allure of Aligarh: A Poetic Journey into the University City: In this book, Huma Khalil masterfully weaves personal memoir with the history of the city and its iconic university. It serves as a poetic and nostalgic exploration of Aligarh’s unique culture, seen through the prism of its rich Urdu poetry, including the works of her father and his contemporaries.
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Many Summers Apart: Gems from Contemporary Urdu Literature: This important work is a “transcreation” of her father, Khaleel-Ur-Rehman Azmi’s, seminal critical work, Naye Mazaameen. It makes his insightful analysis of modern Urdu prose accessible to an English-speaking audience, demonstrating her commitment to preserving and propagating her father’s scholarly contributions.
- Editor: She also serves as the editor of the literary magazine Bazm-e-Adab, continuing a tradition rooted in her Aligarh origins.
Awards and Honours
Huma Khalil’s work in cinema has received significant international recognition:
- Best Director, New York Infest Film Festival (2023) for her film Majaz: A Life in Poetry.
- Official Selection, UK Asian Film Festival (2023), where Majaz: A Life in Poetry was screened to acclaim.
Through her multifaceted efforts, Huma Khalil has carved a unique and vital niche. She is an artist and intellectual who acts as a crucial bridge between a glorious literary past and a vibrant, accessible future for the Urdu language.