Dr. BASHIR BADRA: THE JOURNEY ENDS, THE LEGACY ENSURES: SULTAN ALI

Dr. BASHIR BADRA: THE JOURNEY ENDS, THE LEGACY ENSURES: SULTAN ALI

17-JUNE-ENG 7

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-----------------------------In the realm of Urdu literature and poetry, there are names that transcend the boundaries of mere verse to become a feeling, a memory, and a cultural legacy. One such poet is he whose *ghazals* gave words to love, a voice to separation, and expressed the delicate emotions of human relationships with such simplicity that his verses became an integral part of the common person's life. Perhaps this is why many of his couplets remain on people's lips today with the same intimacy, as if narrating a story born of personal experience.

"Let the light of memories stay with us,

Who knows in which alley the evening of life might fall."

This signature couplet belongs to that great Urdu poet who touched millions of hearts through his simplicity, sensitivity, and profound understanding of human emotions. That name is the evergreen poet and the soul of *mushairas* (poetic symposiums)—Dr. Bashir Badr. In the world of Urdu literature, this name needs no introduction. This couplet by Dr. Bashir Badr holds up a mirror to life, illustrating the vital importance of cherishing good relationships and beautiful memories, for life is unpredictable. His poetry was not confined to literature enthusiasts alone; it resonated with the language and hearts of the common people. Dr. Bashir Badr possessed a mastery of conveying profound messages with remarkable simplicity and beauty within the two lines of a *ghazal*—a skill evident in verses like this:

"Houses bore names, and names were accompanied by titles,

I searched extensively, yet found no human being."

In this couplet, Dr. Bashir Badr articulates a bitter truth about contemporary society: while people possess names, fame, and high-ranking positions, true humanity is rarely to be found. For him, being a good human being was far more important than any position or identity. Dr. Bashir Badr was born on February 15, 1935, in Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh. His full name was Syed Mohammad Bashir. His father, Syed Mohammad Nazir, served in the police department. Badr had not yet completed his schooling when his father passed away. The responsibilities of the family suddenly fell upon his shoulders. Circumstances forced him to abandon his education midway.

“These flowers I possess were not an inheritance;

You never saw the bed of thorns I lay upon.”

This couplet by Dr. Bashir Badr is addressed to those who see the success of others but fail to perceive the struggle, hard work, and pain hidden behind that success. Although Bashir Badr remained away from formal education for a few years after leaving school, he learned a great deal from life's experiences. These experiences later proved to be milestones in shaping his personality and his path to success. His bond with literature remained unbroken; he had harbored a deep love for language and poetry since childhood. Later, he pursued higher education at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). The literary atmosphere of Aligarh played a pivotal role in refining his personality and his writing. Even during his student days, he had gained renown for his poetry and his distinctive style of recitation. Dr. Bashir Badr was the star attraction at *mushairas* (poetic symposiums), not only in India but abroad as well; his verses were listened to with great keenness at these gatherings. One of his famous couplets goes:

“No one will even shake your hand if you embrace them too warmly;

This is a city of a new temperament—greet people while keeping some distance.”

Bashir Badr earned his M.A. in Urdu Literature from AMU in 1969 and completed his Ph.D. in 1973 with a thesis titled "A Critical Study of the Post-Independence *Ghazal*." It is said that the corpus of *shers* (couplets) analyzed in his research work included approximately eighty-four of his own compositions—a true testament to his creative prowess and self-confidence. The extent of his popularity is evident from an anecdote shared by the renowned poet Shakeel Jamali in an interview: even while Dr. Bashir Badr was a student at the university, his poetry was already being taught as part of the academic curriculum. Later, after completing his PhD, he taught for a time in the Urdu Department at AMU. Following his stint in Aligarh, a significant period of his life was spent in Meerut—a time when he was scaling new heights in the world of poetry. He taught in the Urdu Department of Meerut College for nearly seventeen years, eventually becoming the Head of the Department. Thanks to his affable nature and profound literary insight, he was immensely popular among students. In the truest sense, Dr. Bashir Badr lived life to the fullest, embracing the challenges and hardships that came his way with resolve. One of his most famous couplets captures this spirit:

“We, too, are a river; we know our own art—

Wherever we choose to flow, a path shall emerge.”

In this couplet, Dr. Bashir Badr reveals the depth of his self-confidence; if a person has faith in their own capabilities, they can carve a path forward even in the most difficult circumstances. As I have mentioned before, the defining quality of Dr. Bashir Badr’s poetry is its simplicity. Instead of relying on complex or heavy vocabulary, he conveyed profound ideas using the language of everyday conversation. This is precisely why his couplets resonate deeply with people and easily find a place on their lips. He beautifully incorporated themes such as the problems of modern life, loneliness, shifting relationships, and the changing face of society into his *ghazals*. Ultimately, it can be said that Dr. Bashir Badr gave a fresh, new style to the Urdu *ghazal*. “A flower amidst sunlit leaves, bound by a green ribbon—

That fresh cadence of a ghazal, neither spoken nor heard before.”

This couplet is a testament to his creativity. ...demonstrates this. While upholding the tradition of great poets like Mir Taqi Mir, Mirza Ghalib, and Allama Iqbal, Bashir Badr also endeavored to infuse the *ghazal* with a fresh hue and a new style. It is this distinctive quality that sets him apart from his contemporaries. He was not merely a poet but also a deeply learned scholar; he possessed a strong command over English and Persian, alongside Urdu and Hindi. He authored several acclaimed *ghazal* collections, including *Ikai*, *Aamad*, *Aahat*, *Aas*, and *Ujale Apni Yaadon Ke*. Many of his books were translated into foreign languages, allowing his poetry to reach every corner of the globe.

The Meerut riots of 1987 proved to be the most tragic chapter of Dr. Bashir Badr’s life. During these riots, his home, his books, and literary material compiled over years of hard work were reduced to ashes. Numerous unpublished *ghazals* were also destroyed—a devastating blow for any writer. In an interview, renowned film director Vishal Bhardwaj recalled this incident, noting that many of Bashir Badr’s new *ghazals*—which had not yet been published anywhere—had perished in the flames; this loss caused him deep anguish. However, when Bhardwaj later told him that he remembered a significant portion of those *ghazals* by heart, joy returned to Badr’s face. This incident highlights both the hope he found amidst his sorrow and the profound bond he shared with his creations. One of his famous couplets reads:

“People shatter while trying to build a home,

Yet you feel no pity in burning down entire settlements.”

In this couplet, one can sense the pain Dr. Bashir Badr felt—reflecting on how a lifetime is spent building a home, yet it takes only a few moments to destroy it. This couplet serves as a powerful voice against hatred and violence while also conveying a message of humanity. Dr. Bashir Badr was shattered from within following the Meerut riots; he had suffered a profound shock. Unable to recover from the trauma of that event, he left Meerut and moved to Bhopal permanently. Bhopal remained his home for the rest of his life, and it was from there that he continued his engagement with literary activities.

The caliber of Dr. Bashir Badr’s poetry is so exceptional that an entire book could be written on just a single couplet from one of his ghazals. Numerous universities have conducted research and awarded PhDs based on his work. In recognition of his literary services and outstanding contributions, he was honored with the Padma Shri, the Sahitya Akademi Award, and various other accolades. Badr was not merely a poet but also a teacher and a researcher. He completed his PhD at Aligarh Muslim University in 1973. Although he visited Aligarh several times thereafter, the demands of his personal life and *mushairas* (poetic symposiums), along with other circumstances, prevented him from collecting his degree certificate. When Aligarh Muslim University finally sent his PhD degree to his home in Bhopal—after nearly forty-seven years—he was reportedly overcome with emotion upon seeing it and held it close to his heart. Having received my own education at Aligarh Muslim University—being, in a sense, a 'nightingale' of that same garden—I can naturally empathize with Dr. Badr’s deep attachment to Aligarh and AMU; I can feel that sentiment profoundly. I believe the emotion in his eyes upon receiving the degree stemmed not just from the joy of obtaining an academic qualification, but from the expression of an unbreakable bond with AMU and Aligarh—a bond that neither time nor distance could diminish.

My family, too, has long shared a deep connection with literature. My maternal uncle, Dr. Haider Ali—currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Hindi at Jamia Millia Islamia University—completed his M.Phil. on Dr. Rahi Masoom Raza and his Ph.D. under the supervision of Professor Asghar Wajahat. Consequently, I had the opportunity from childhood to hear numerous stories about literature and literary figures at home. This experience laid the foundation not merely for academic learning during my student years but also for the development of a profound literary consciousness; it was my good fortune that, while studying at Jamia, I too became part of the lineage of students mentored by eminent storytellers like Professor Asghar Wajahat and Professor Abdul Bismillah. Professor Asghar Wajahat also pursued his higher education at Aligarh Muslim University. Recently, when Wajahat *Sahab* visited Haider *Mamu’s* village for a film shoot, we had extensive conversations, most of which centered on Aligarh.

Interestingly, much like Dr. Bashir Badr, Dr. Rahi Masoom Raza never forgot Aligarh. Memories associated with AMU and Aligarh, along with a deep attachment to their native soil, are evident in the personalities and writings of both literary figures. After completing his Ph.D. at Aligarh Muslim University, Rahi *Sahab* taught in the Urdu Department for a few years. Later, he moved to Mumbai, where, alongside writing novels, he penned screenplays and dialogues for Hindi films and television serials. Although he achieved great success there, memories of Aligarh, his own village (Gangauli), and his people kept recurring in his writing, even amidst the glitz and glamour of Mumbai.

There is a famous couplet by Dr. Rahi Masoom Raza—

“Those from whom I parted—how do they fare in that world now?

How is the flowering branch? How are the abodes of fragrance?” This couplet is not merely about separation; it also articulates that sense of remaining connected to one's roots—a quality evident in the personalities and writings of both Dr. Rahi Masoom Raza and Dr. Bashir Badr. Perhaps this is the reason why, whether they lived in Meerut... Whether in Bhopal or Mumbai, Aligarh never strayed far from their hearts. Indeed, Aligarh Muslim University is not merely an educational institution but embodies a tradition and culture that has gifted countless talented individuals to the nation and the world. Perhaps the hallmark of a truly great educational institution is that, no matter where in the world its students may go, their university and city always retain a special place in their hearts. Aligarh Muslim University and the city of Aligarh stand as a testament to this; indeed, those who have studied or lived there are affectionately known as "Aligs." Dr. Bashir Badr’s act of clasping his PhD degree to his chest was a poignant symbol of this deep emotional bond and intimate connection.

A remarkable quality of Dr. Bashir Badr’s poetry is that his verses are not merely read but deeply felt. He illuminates the significance of relationships, humanity, love, and hope. This is why his poetry remains as fresh and relevant today as it was decades ago.

For the last fifteen years or so, Dr. Bashir Badr had been battling dementia, a condition that led him to stop attending *mushairas* (poetic symposiums). He bid farewell to this world on May 28, 2026, at the age of 91. On the day he departed, it seemed as though the *ghazal* itself mourned alongside his admirers. His *ghazals*, his thoughts, and his human sensibilities will continue to serve as a source of inspiration for future generations. Though Dr. Bashir Badr’s journey has come to an end, his legacy will endure forever.

“We too are travelers, and so are you;

At some turn, we shall meet again.”