Munawwar Rana, a celebrated Urdu poet, passed away at the age of 71 due to cardiac arrest in Lucknow. He had been enduring a prolonged illness, including throat cancer, kidney, and heart-related ailments. He was receiving treatment at the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) in Lucknow.
Born on November 26, 1952, in Uttar Pradesh’s Raebareli, Rana was renowned for his significant contributions to Urdu literature and poetry. He was particularly acclaimed for his ghazals, a poetic form consisting of rhyming couplets and a refrain. His poetic style was marked by its accessibility, as he often included Hindi and Awadhi words, avoiding Persian and Arabic, to resonate more with Indian audiences. One of his most famous poems was ‘Maa’, celebrating the virtues of a mother within the traditional ghazal form.
Throughout his career, Rana received numerous accolades. He was awarded the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in 2014 for his poetry book ‘Shahdaba’. However, he returned the award about a year later, citing increasing societal intolerance. His other recognitions include the Ameer Khusro Award, Mir Taqi Mir Award, Ghalib Award, Dr Zakir Hussain Award, and the Saraswati Samaj Award. His works have been translated into several languages.
Rana spent much of his life in Kolkata and was a significant presence in mushairas (poetic symposiums) both in India and abroad. He was also active in political developments in Uttar Pradesh. His daughter, Sumaiya Rana, is a member of the Samajwadi Party (SP), led by Akhilesh Yadav. Rana often found himself mired in controversies for his statements, including his views on the Taliban and the murder of Samuel Paty over a controversy about Prophet Mohammad in Paris in 2020.
The poet’s death has left a profound impact on the literary world, especially in the realm of Urdu poetry. He is survived by his wife, four daughters, and a son. His demise has been mourned by many across the country, including political figures and literary enthusiasts.
1. What was Munawwar Rana renowned for in the literary world?
A. Novels
B. Ghazals
C. Short Stories
D. Essays
2. For which poetry book did Munawwar Rana receive the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2014?
A. Shehar-e-Gham
B. Shahdaba
C. Dil-e-nadan
D. Roshan Lamhe
Kindly share your responses in the comment section.
Did you know that many rivers around the world are compared with one another because…
Did you know that every year the world waits eagerly for one of the biggest…
The major Egypt archaeological discovery has solved a mystery. This mystery that remained unanswered for…
The medieval Gajapathi inscription has been discovered at the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Ramachandrapura…
The process to the appointing State Director General of Police (DGP) has been changed after…
Surya Midha has created headline after matching the youngest billionaire milestone. Earlier this milestone was…