Hyderabad: With the passing away of senior advocate Ghulam Yazdani, Hyderabad has lost not merely a lawyer or social worker, but a living institution who embodied the grace, moderation and composite culture of the Old City. He was a man difficult to define – lawyer, politician, writer, educationist, organiser, lover of Urdu language and above all, a deeply concerned citizen who remained actively engaged with society till his final days.
He lived a full and purposeful life of 98 years, but what made him extraordinary was not merely longevity. It was the energy and enthusiasm with which he lived every single day. Even people decades younger would struggle to match his discipline, curiosity and commitment to public life.
The usual advice often given to elderly people – “slow down” or “take it easy” – simply did not apply to him. For Yazdani sahab, age was only a number and he wore it lightly.
Till recently, he remained remarkably fit and active. At an age when most people confine themselves indoors, he was participating in swimming championships. At 88, he won first prize in backstroke and freestyle events at the Telangana State Masters Swimming Championship. Those who knew his lifestyle were hardly surprised. He had consciously chosen to change the way he aged rather than allowing age to change him.
Physical activity was central to his life.
As President of the Public Gardens Walkers Association, he never missed his morning walks. After an energetic round of exercise, he would often head to the nearby Fateh Maidan swimming pool where he swam with youthful vigour. His disciplined routine, positive outlook and active engagement with people perhaps formed the real secret behind his enviable health.
My own association with Yazdani sahab goes back more than two decades. I had the privilege of translating his autobiography, “Kuch Yadeyn Kuch Bateyn,” from Urdu into English. The translated version, “Hyderabad – Down Memory Lane,” was released in March 2015. During the course of that work, I met him frequently and had the opportunity to observe him closely.
Those meetings left a deep impression on me. I was struck by his tenacity, sharp memory and remarkable zest for life. Even at an advanced age, he remained intellectually alert and emotionally connected with the world around him. Conversations with him were never dull. He spoke with warmth, humour and insight, effortlessly moving from literature and politics to Hyderabad’s changing social fabric.
A staunch champion of Hyderabadi tehzeeb, Yazdani sahab was associated with numerous educational, literary, religious and cultural organisations. In many of these initiatives, he was not merely a participant but the driving spirit behind them. Despite his stature and achievements, he remained modest and accessible. His moderate views and balanced temperament earned him affection and respect across communities.
Among his most enduring contributions was his passionate promotion of the thought and philosophy of Allama Iqbal. Since 1997, he had been organising the weekly “Iqbal Shinasi” sessions at the conference hall of Masjid-e-Aliya with astonishing regularity and dedication. Week after week, scholars, students and admirers gathered there to discuss the poet-philosopher’s ideas.
In October 2019, the lecture series crossed the remarkable milestone of 1,000 sessions – a rare achievement reflecting Yazdani sahib’s perseverance and love for intellectual engagement.
Though he lived alone at his Hill Fort residence, he was never lonely. His life was full of activity, meetings, reading and community work. He closely followed newspapers and remained updated on current affairs. He would often call me to discuss developments or simply to exchange thoughts. Those phone calls carried warmth and affection.
Sadly, in recent months, I could not meet him as frequently as before because of my own professional engagements. His sudden demise has therefore come as a personal shock. It feels difficult to accept that the familiar voice, the encouraging words and the dignified presence are no longer there.
With his passing, Hyderabad has lost one of its finest sons – a man who combined intellect with humility, discipline with compassion and tradition with openness. People like Ghulam Yazdani do not merely belong to a family or an organisation, they belong to an entire city and its collective memory.
The recent murder of his son-in-law, Khaja Moizuddin, who died after being allegedly rammed by an SUV came as a severe emotional blow to Yazdani sahab.
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