Jaunpur is also famous for Traditional Marsiya and Soaz of meer Anis.

The word ‘Marsiya’ is derived from the Arabic word ‘Risa’, meaning a great tragedy or lamentation for a departed soul. It was a common word, used for one and all. But after the major tragedy of Karbala, when on the 10th day of Moharram, Imam Hussain, (A.S.) the younger grand-son of the Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.W.) was martyred, hungry and thirsty along with his 71 relatives and companions by the unruly and merciless hoards of the tyrant king Yazid, ‘Marsiya’ became a word used exclusively to describe the Events of the Battle of Karbala and the Tragedy of Imam Hussain(AS).

Late Zulqadar Bahadur Syed Mohamad Nasir Ali .

Tomb of  Meer Anis

Stamp Meer Anis

If we look at a Marsiya in the light of its subject matter, it is a poetry full of pathos, love, emotions, bravery, patriotism and the ultimate sacrifice. No other form of poetry gives the writer as much space to portray their creativity and knowledge as a Marsiya does. Mir Anees that succeeded in making marsiya-goi the most creative form of poetry. Mir Babar Ali Anees, a Musavi sayyed i.e. decendent of the 7th Holy Imam Hazrat Moosa Kazim(as), belonged to a family of poets. Mir Anees’ father, Mir Khaleeq who was a famous poet and litterateur, took personal interest in the education and upbringing of his son, and entrusted him to the care of reputed contemporary teachers, Mir Najaf Ali Faizabadi and Maulvi Hyder Ali Lucknavi.


In addition, Anees's mother who was an educated and pious lady, played a significant role in shaping the personality of the boy poet. But above all, it was the boy's own instinctive urge for learning and literature that made him an accomplished poet, proficient in Arabic and Persian scriptures, and well-versed in logic, literature and philosophy. Poetry came to him as ancestral heritage, for his forbears, going back to his great grandfather, were eminent poets and men of letters. Mir Anees was the grandson of Mir Hasan who is remembered for his immortal Masnavi, Sehir-ul-Bayaan. Mir Zaahak, great grandfather of Mir Anees, was also a poet. Mir Anees has mentioned him in the verse below as Jadd-e-Aali. Other poets from his family are his uncles, his father Mir Khaleeq’s brothers, Mir Khulq and Mir Makhlooq. Mir Anees’ younger brothers Mir Uns and Mir Monis too were known for their marsiyas. Mir Anees groomed his sons into fine poets. Their names are Mir Raees, Mir Nafees and Mir Salees. Among his nephews Mir Waheed, son of Mir Uns, was famous. His parents had migrated in their old age to Lucknow, where he spent the best part of his life. Arther E Hudson in his book, Epics of the Western World, says:“An Epic is a poem embodying a noble story told in a noble verse. A more stringent definition is almost impossible; yet any attempt at such definition must use words like grand, noble, universal. Poetry to attain Epic structure, must possess above all else the qualities contained in these words and the Epic poet must tell of people, their actions and emotions, in such a way that his story expresses everything about the world. The material of the Epic poet, are the ideal customs, traditions and the moral values of the whole society.” L.M. Bowra in his book, From Virgil to Milton, says:“An Epic is by common consent a narrative of some length and deals with events which have a certain grandeur and importance and come from a life of action, especially of violent action such as war. It gives a special pleasure because it’s events and persons enhance our belief in the worth of human achievement and in the dignity and nobility of man.”