"Fortunate are those who had the privilege of hearing Raahat live from the dais …..
OBITUARY ON RAHAT INDORI
By Irfan Jami
The perfectionist may not rank him among the finest Poets. To the fastidious, he may fall short of greatness. But the Rebel in him , who reminded us- India belongs to everyone ,was instrumental enough to bring to life the much needed interest in Urdu poetry when people had written the language off . RAHAT INDORI , an eminent Urdu poet with a career in Urdu poetry spanning 50 years was the superstar of 21st century Urdu shayiri. He has been one of the reputed Mushaira starts in the country so bright that he was always received with a roar reserved for European star footballers whenever he appeared on the dais to read his poetry. RAHAT INDORI ,born to a poor cloth mill labourer who migrated to Indore from the adjoining town of Dewas , never imagined he would be educating himself right up to PhD on a subject which was to make him a most sought after star of Urdu mushaira in subsequent years. For his fans , RAHAT INDORI was a rare package of poetry and performance blessed with the art of ensnaring his listeners with his unique style of rendition , an incomparable blend of mannerisms ,diction and delivery captivating enough to take his audience on a magical journey .He would often begin with a whisper that would silence his audience and finish on a note high enough to break the silence like a magician of voice modulation . Rahat indori has been one of the biggest wordsmith whom young generation listened with a reverential awe.His poem "Bulati hai magar jane ka nahi" went viral on social media, making him a sensation among the youth. Memes using the poem's opening lines flooded social media during Valentine's Day , earlier this year.
Rahat Indori’s stint in Bollywood as lyricist was limited to 11 films. He penned down lyrics of songs like "M Bole toh" from Munnabhai MBBS (2003), Chori Chori Jab Nazrein Mili from Kareeb (1998), Koi jaye to le aye from Ghatak (1996), and "Neend Churai Meri" from Ishq (1997).It seems even death too lent an obedient ear to Rahat indori’s stunning couplets. When Rahat indori wrote ;
‘’ waba phaili hui hai har taraf
Abhi mahaul mar jane ka nahi ‘’
{A pandemic is spreading everywhere .This is not the proper season to die }
Rahat indori who wrote these lines becomes Corona positive on the night of August 10 and declared dead by August 11.Although he died due to successive heart attacks.
Though Rahat indori has left for his heavenly abode but his shayiri will continue to inspire millions for generations to come.
“Main mar jaun toh meri alag pehchaan likh dena
Lahoo se meri peshaani pe Hindustan likh dena”
{When I die, mention my unique identity on my forehead , inscribe Hindustan in blood }
This immortal couplet written by Rahat Indori will forever define him .
Fortunate are those who had the privilege of hearing him live from the dais …..