Celebrated Urdu poet and Padma Shri awardee Bashir Badr, aged 91, passed away on Thursday after battling a prolonged illness. Javed Akhtar, a veteran lyricist and screenwriter, expressed his sorrow on social media, honoring the departed poet. Akhtar, in a heartfelt tribute in Urdu on his official X (Formerly known as Twitter) handle, described Badr as an exceptionally melodious poet whose legacy will endure in our memories.
Bashir Badr, known for his famous couplet “Dushmani jam kar karo lekin ye gunjaish rahe,” played a significant role during the 1972 Shimla Agreement between India and Pakistan. His notable works include verses like “Kuch to majbooriyaan rahi hongi” and “Ujale apni yaadon ke hamare saath rehne do,” among others, showcasing his poetic prowess.
Born on February 15, 1935, in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, Bashir Badr pursued his higher education at Aligarh Muslim University, where he also obtained his PhD. He later became a respected Urdu professor at Aligarh Muslim University and headed the Urdu Department at Meerut College for nearly 17 years, influencing many young literary minds.
Despite his focus on themes of love and human relationships in his writings, Bashir Badr faced a tragic event during the 1987 communal riots when his house was set ablaze, leading to the loss of many invaluable unpublished manuscripts. Following this devastation, he relocated to Bhopal, where he spent his remaining years.
