Urdu poetry suffered a heavy loss on Sunday with the passing of renowned poet Munawwar Rana at 71. He breathed his last at Lucknow’s Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences following a cardiac arrest.
Rana had been battling health challenges for years, including lung and throat infections since 2017 and chronic kidney problems requiring regular dialysis. Despite these struggles, he remained a towering figure in Urdu literature, celebrated for his evocative ghazals.
His 2014 Sahitya Akademi Award for the poem “Shahdaba” remains a testament to his brilliance. However, Rana later returned the award in protest against rising intolerance in the country. He was also a recipient of prestigious accolades like the Maati Ratan Samman, the Ghalib Award, and the Dr Zakir Hussain Award, among others.
Rana’s poems captured the essence of life with profound sensitivity and resonated with audiences across the globe. His masterpiece, “Maa,” holds a special place in Urdu literature, reflecting his deep connection to his mother.
Tributes poured in from prominent figures, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav who called Rana’s demise “extremely heartbreaking.”