Celebrated Urdu poet Munawwar Rana, renowned for his significant contributions to Urdu literature and poetry, breathed his last at the age of 71 due to a cardiac arrest at PGI Hospital in Lucknow. Rana had been grappling with a prolonged illness for several months, receiving treatment at the same hospital.
Born on November 26, 1952, in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, Rana gained widespread recognition for his unique poetic style, particularly his ghazals. Notably, he made his poetry accessible to Indian audiences by incorporating Hindi and Awadhi words while avoiding Persian and Arabic.
Among his many notable works, Rana’s most famous poem, ‘Maa,’ celebrated the virtues of motherhood within the traditional ghazal form.
Throughout his illustrious career, Rana received various accolades, including the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in 2014 for his poetry book ‘Shahdaba.’ However, he returned the award a year later, expressing concerns about the growing intolerance in the country.
Additional honors bestowed upon him include the Ameer Khusro Award, Mir Taqi Mir Award, Ghalib Award, Dr. Zakir Hussain Award, and the Saraswati Samaj Award. His literary contributions have been translated into multiple languages, reflecting the global impact of his work.
Having spent a significant part of his life in Kolkata, Rana maintained a prominent presence in mushairas (poetic symposiums) both in India and abroad. Beyond his literary pursuits, the poet was actively involved in political developments in Uttar Pradesh, with his daughter Sumaiya holding a membership in the Samajwadi Party (SP), led by Akhilesh Yadav.
Munawwar Rana’s demise marks the end of an era in Urdu poetry, leaving behind a legacy that resonates not only in the literary world but also in the hearts of those who admired his work.
