“Echoes of Farewell: Munawwar Rana’s Poetic Goodbye to the World”
jism par mitti malenge, paak ho jayenge hum,
Ae zamee’n ek din teri khoorak ho jayege hum- Alwida Rana Sahab
Lucknow, 15 Jan : – Munawwar Rana, a celebrated Urdu poet known for his significant contributions to literature, breathed his last on Sunday at the PGI Hospital in Lucknow. The 71-year-old poet succumbed to a cardiac arrest after a prolonged battle with illness.
Rana had been undergoing treatment at the PGI Hospital for several months, grappling with kidney and heart-related ailments. His daughter, Sumaiya Rana, confirmed the news of his demise, stating that he passed away on Sunday night and is scheduled to be laid to rest on Monday.
The poet’s son, Tabrez Rana, provided additional details, mentioning that Rana had been hospitalized for 14 to 15 days, initially at Medanta in Lucknow and later at SGPGI, where he breathed his last around 11 pm.
Munawwar Rana, born on November 26, 1952, in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, gained widespread recognition for his notable contributions to Urdu literature, particularly in the realm of ghazals. His poetic style, marked by the incorporation of Hindi and Awadhi words, resonated with Indian audiences, setting him apart from his contemporaries who often leaned towards Persian and Arabic.
Among his notable works, the poem ‘Maa’ stood out, celebrating the virtues of motherhood within the traditional ghazal form.
Over the course of his illustrious career, Rana received several accolades, including the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in 2014 for his poetry book ‘Shahdaba.’ However, he returned the award a year later, expressing concerns over the rising intolerance in the country.
His accomplishments also include the Ameer Khusro Award, Mir Taqi Mir Award, Ghalib Award, Dr Zakir Hussain Award, and the Saraswati Samaj Award. Munawwar Rana’s works have been translated into multiple languages.
Living much of his life in Kolkata, the poet had a significant presence in mushairas (poetic symposiums) both in India and abroad. Beyond his literary pursuits, Rana was actively involved in political developments in Uttar Pradesh. His daughter, Sumaiya, is a member of the Samajwadi Party (SP), led by Akhilesh Yadav. The poet is survived by his wife, four daughters, and a son.
Renowned Urdu Poet Munawwar Rana Remembered: A Glimpse Into His Memorable Poetry
“Awaz De Mujhko Mohabbat Se”
