Urdu world at a loss of words as Shamim Hanafi passes away

Eminent Urdu critic, dramatist and a proponent of modernist movement in Urdu literature, Shamim Hanafi passed away in Delhi on Thursday. He was 85 years of age.

Rekhta’s official Twitter handle revealed the unfortunate news last night. “We are saddened to inform you all about the demise of one of the most respected literary critics, playwrights and poets Prof Shamim Hanfi,” it announced. “We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. #Rip“

The largest festival celebrating Urdu language and culture, Jashn-e-Rekhta, then paid tribute to the late legend with a video of him at their panel in 2015. “Phir laut ke is bazm mein aane ke nahin hain The entire world of Urdu Literature mourns the demise of Professor #ShamimHanafi. It is a loss as an era of guidance, wisdom and knowledge reaches its end,” it lamented. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to his friends and family. #RIP“

Hanafi had tested positive for Covid-19 a few days back. Journalist and writer Raza Ahmad Rumi, while sharing a tweet by India’s member of the parliament about his condition, had asked for those in Delhi to reach out to him. “Saddened to read this. Those in Delhi, please reach out. Wishing Shamim Hanafi Saheb speedy recovery,” he tweeted on May 3.

Dr Syed Naseer Hussain, who is also the Rajya Sabha National spokesperson, had shared a message by Hanafi’s daughter, Ghazala Siddiqui, on his Twitter. The message was a call to action, relaying that Hanafi, patient of Non Hodgkin Lymphoma, was suffering from pneumonia post Covid-19. It informed that he was being kept on oxygen support and urgently required medical intervention. Pneumonia had affected all the lobes of his lungs while he was also diabetic and hypertensive.

Nevertheless, following his demise, many from the world of Urdu literature mourned the news. Rana Safvi, author of Delhi trilogy and Tales from the Quran and Hadith, shared a photo of Hanafi and wrote, “Ek ek karke sitaare aasman ko sidhaar Rahe hain.” In another tweet she added, “Chiragh e lafz hi chup ho gaya hai Andhera kis qadar ghup ho gaya hai. Shehpar Rasul sahib for Janab Shamim Hanafi.“

Chiragh e lafz hi chup ho gaya hai
Andhera kis qadar ghup ho gaya hai

Shehpar Rasul sahib for Janab Shamim Hanafi

— Rana Safvi رعنا राना (@iamrana) May 7, 2021

Author of The Scatter Here Is Too Great Bilal Tanveer also chimed in tweeting, “Saddest time for Urdu. First Asif Farrukhi, then Shamsur Rahman Faruqi, and now Shamim Hanafi.”

Born on Nov 17 in Sultanpur, city of Uttar Pradesh. Hanafi was one of the most respected Urdu literary critics, playwrights, and poets. A former academic at the Urdu department of Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi, he penned a number of acclaimed books in literary criticism, including Khayal ki Musaafat, Jadidiyat ki Falsafiyana Asaas, Tareekh, Tehzeeb aur Takhleequi Tajurba, Qari Say Mukalma, Khayal ki Musaafat, Nayi Sheri Riwayat; and Urdu Culture aur Taqseem ki Riwayat.

He had also written four plays, translated four books and authored four books for children. Hanafi’s poetry collection Aakhiri Pehar ki Dastak was published by Rekhta at one of its first ventures in publishing in 2015.

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Article source: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2298806/urdu-world-at-a-loss-of-words-as-shamim-hanafi-passes-away