Urdu Poet Dr. Bashir Badr Passes Away at 91, Leaving His Mark on Literature
The passing of Dr. Bashir Badr marks a significant era in Urdu poetry. His contributions broke traditional barriers, earning him accolades like the Sahitya Akademi Award.
Highlights
- •Bashir Badr, who passed away at 91 after battling dementia for 14 years
- •His collection 'Aas' won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1999
- •Introduced modern sensibilities into traditional ghazals, marking a significant shift in Urdu literature
- •Shifted to Bhopal post communal riots from Meerut
Bhopal: The nation mourned the loss of an icon of Urdu literature as legendary poet and scholar Dr. Bashir Badr, who celebrated his 91st birthday, passed away on Wednesday after a long battle with dementia. Born on February 15, 1935, in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, Dr. Badr became synonymous with soulful, simple, and deeply emotional poetry that broke the traditional barriers of literary accessibility.
Striving for the highest academic excellence, Dr. Bashir Badr pursued his education at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), where he obtained his PhD. He served as a professor in the Urdu department, contributing significantly to Urdu literature both through his teachings and publications. His command over multiple languages—Urdu, Persian, and English—added depth to his scholarly contributions.
The celebrated poet's literary prowess was recognized when his collection 'Aas' earned him the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in 1999. Additionally, he was honored with the Padma Shri award for his unparalleled impact on literature. Dr. Badr made a significant contribution to Urdu poetry by introducing modern sensibilities into traditional ghazals.
Impactful Couplet and Community Woes
In 1987, after losing everything in communal riots due to the burning down of his house, Dr. Bashir Badr shifted from Meerut to Bhopal. His loss is encapsulated in poignant couplets which still resonate today. 'Log tut jate hai ek ghar banane mein, tum tarash nahin khate basityon jalane mein' (People break down financially after building a house, and you show no compassion by setting ablaze settlements) and 'Dusmani jam kar karo lekin gunjaish rahe, jab kabhi hum dost ho jaye to sarminda na rahe' (Bear enmity with all your might, but this we should decide; if ever we be friends we are not mortified), are prime examples of his emotional depth and resilience.
In the last few years, Dr. Bashir Badr's mind battled dementia, yet his spirit remained steadfast in literature. His wife Rahat Badr shared the tragic news through an emotional social media post, 'Bashir Saheb has left us… Prayers.' The former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed profound sorrow over this great loss of Urdu literature, saying that Dr. Bashir Badr left a significant void in Urdu literature that cannot be filled.
The cultural world lost one of its most revered writers, but his legacy through timeless ghazals will endure in the hearts and minds of literature lovers everywhere.
