Javed Akhtar Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Bashir Badr, Says Urdu Has Lost One of Its Most Melodious Voices
MUMBAI — Veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of acclaimed Urdu poet Bashir Badr, remembering him as a literary giant whose poetry touched generations and enriched the Urdu language.
In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Akhtar reflected on Badr’s enduring legacy and the void left by his death.
“Today, our language Urdu has become a little poorer,” Akhtar wrote in Urdu on X. “Bashir Badr, an extremely melodious poet, has departed from our gathering forever. This poet and his poetry will live on in our memories forever.”
Akhtar’s tribute came as admirers across India and around the world mourned the loss of Badr, one of the most celebrated voices in modern Urdu poetry. The Padma Shri awardee passed away at the age of 91 after a prolonged illness, according to media reports.
Known for his accessible style and emotionally resonant verses, Badr wrote extensively about love, loss, friendship, human relationships, and the complexities of everyday life. His poetry transcended literary circles and found a place in popular culture, with many of his couplets becoming widely quoted and cherished across generations.
Among his most memorable works is the celebrated couplet, “Dushmani jam kar karo lekin ye gunjaish rahe, jab kabhi hum dost ho jayein to sharminda na hon,” a verse that gained particular prominence during the period surrounding the 1972 Shimla Agreement between India and Pakistan.
His other well-known compositions include “Kuch to majbooriyaan rahi hongi, yun hi koi bewafa nahi hota,” “Ujale apni yaadon ke hamare saath rehne do, na jaane kis gali me zindagi ki shaam ho jaye,” and “Log toot jaate hain ek ghar banane mein, tum taras nahi khate bastiyan jalane mein.”
Born on February 15, 1935, in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, Badr pursued higher education at Aligarh Muslim University, where he later earned a doctorate in Urdu literature. He went on to serve as a professor of Urdu and later headed the Urdu Department at Meerut College, where he taught for nearly 17 years and influenced generations of students.
Despite achieving literary acclaim, Badr also endured profound personal hardship. During the communal riots of 1987, his home was set on fire, destroying many unpublished manuscripts and valuable writings. Following the tragedy, he relocated to Bhopal, where he spent the remainder of his life.
While his passing marks the end of an era in Urdu literature, admirers say his poetry will continue to live on through the timeless themes and emotions captured in his work. Akhtar’s tribute reflected that sentiment, emphasizing that although Bashir Badr is no longer physically present, his words will remain an enduring part of the literary landscape for generations to come.
