To mark the sixth death anniversary of veteran lyricist, poet and writer Kaifi Azmi, an audio CD - titled Kaifiyat - on some of the best works of the poet in Urdu, recited by the poet himself, was re-released in Mumbai.

The release function on Saturday was attended by his family members including his wife Shaukat, daughter Shabana Azmi, son Baba Azmi, daughter-in-law Tanvi Azmi, son-in-law Javed Akhtar and CEO Big Music and Home Entertainment Kulmeet Makkar.

Shabana said in the Indian sub-continent there is a tradition of poets reciting their works in front of an audience. A poet's work is seldom recorded and released as people think that their voice is not fit.

"But Kaifi Saab had a distinct voice and his style of reciting was unique. This is indeed a tribute to the great poet."

"Kaifi Saab lived a life performing multiple activities. He was a poet, lyricist, writer, actor, social activist and a revolutionist. He had been successful in all the roles and had created a niche for himself," said Akhtar.

He said Kaifi had lived an accomplished life excelling in all the fields and "very few people could live such a life".

Big Music & Home Entertainment CEO Kulmeet Makkar said: "Kaifi's poems on various issues compelled people to think on the subject."

Born to a family of landlords in Mejwan in Azamgarh district of Uttar Pradesh, Kaifi began his career as a ghazal writer.

His early works in writing for films include Yahudi Ki Beti in 1956, and Miss Punjab Mail and Id Ka Chand in 1959.

His accomplishment as a writer was Chetan Anand's Heer Ranjha in 1970. As a lyricist, he penned lyrics for numerous hit films including Guru Dutt's Kagaz Ke Phool, Chetan Anand's Haqeeqat, and Uski Kahani, Bawarchi, Pakeezah, Hanste Zakhm, and Razia Sultan.

Kaifi won the National Award and Filmfare award for the screenplay and dialogue of M.S. Sathyu's master piece Garam Hawa. He acted in Saeed Mirza's award winning film Naseem. He was also conferred the Padma Shri, Maharashtra Gaurav Award, Yuva Bharatiya Award, and the Afro-Asian Writers Lotus Award besides several other awards.

Indo-Asian News Service