Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi, A. R. Rahman and many other celebrities mourn demise of legendary poet Rahat Indori

By News Helpline, Mumbai – 12th August, 2020

Noted Urdu poet Rahat Indori, who had tested positive for coronavirus, passed away at an Indore hospital on Tuesday after suffering two heart attacks. He was 70. The legendary Urdu poet was admitted to an Indore hospital on Tuesday morning after he tested positive for the COVID-19. His final rites were performed at a crematorium in Choti Khajrani, Indore.

Many well-known personalities of Hindi film industry like Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi, A.R, Rahman, nawazuddin Siddiqui, Farhan Akhar, Jaaved Jaferi, Pankaj Tripathi, Richa Chadha and many others paid their last tribute to late poet and lyricist through their twitter handles.

Noted poet and writer Javed Akhtar wrote, “Rahat Saheb’s demise is an irreparable loss for contemporary urdu poetry and our society at large. Like Habib Jalib he was from the fast disappearing tribe of poets who are never short of courage to call a spade a spade.”

Veteran actress Shabana Azmi wrote, “@Javedakhtarjadu @GulzarPoetry Deeply saddened to hear about the passing away of popular Urdu poet #RahatIndori . He was an original.His poetry was characterised by extreme passion,  indomitable spirit and great courage.He will be sorely missed RIP🙏”.

Nawazuddin wrote, “ये क्या की, आगे बढ़े और आ गयी मंज़िल, मज़ा तो जब है की पैरों में कुछ थकान रहे”- @rahatindori आपकी शायरी और उनके हर अल्फ़ाज़ हमेशा ज़िंदा रहेंगे... #riprahatindori”

Paying tribute to Rahat Indori, musical maestro, Rahman wrote, “#RahatIndori ji your songs and poetry will remain with us. Condolences to your loved ones #innalillahiwainnailaihirajioon”.

Farhan Akhtar wrote, “RIP #RahatIndori saab.. deepest condolences to the family.”

Jaaved Jaferi wrote, “One of the most powerful,prolific and inspiring poets of India passes on. Inna lillaahe wa inna elaihi raaje’oon (from God we have come and to Him is our return) Salaam and RIP #RahatIndori sahab. You will be missed. Heartfelt condolences to the family.”

Richa Chadha mourned Rahat Indori with this tweet: "Rest in peace, Rahat Sahab. Discovered you very late in life... Meri badkismati main aapse nahi mil paayi. Alwida...naman hai aapko."

Pankaj Triathi wrote, “अलविदा राहत साहेब।आप हमारे दिल और स्मृतियों में सदैव रहेंगे।“

With a 50-year career in poetry, Indori, an Urdu scholar of great repute, was one of the biggest mushaira

(poetry symposiums) stars in the country and someone who fearlessly called a spade a spade.

Indian politicians like Rahul Gandhi, Asaduddin Owaisi, Rajnath Singh, Mayawati, Arvind Kejriwal and Shivraj Singh Chouhan paid their homage to late poet and lyricist.

Among the poet’s most powerful lines are “Sabhi ka khoon hai shamil yahan ki mitti mein; Kisi ke baap ka Hindustan thodi hai (Everybody’s blood mingles in this soil; Hindustan does not belong solely to one)”. The lines were used on posters and banners during the anti-CAA protests, pushing him to almost cult status.

Earlier this year, his poem “Bulati hai magar jane ka nahi” went viral on social media, making him a sensation among the youth. Memes using the poem’s opening lines flooded social media during Valentine’s Day.

Indori wrote the lyrics of several Hindi film songs, including “Chori Chori Jab Nazrein Mili” from Kareeb, “Koi jaye to le aye” from Ghatak , and “Neend Churai Meri” from Ishq, Bumbro from Mission Kashmir and many others.