Srinagar: Renowned poet and Kashmir’s first Jnanpith awardee Professor Rehman Rahi died here on Monday. He was 98.
Reports said Prof Rahi breathed his last in the early hours at his residence in the Nowshera area of the city. Born on May 6, 1925, Rahi wrote several collections of poems and translated the works of some of the celebrated poets in other languages into Kashmiri. He received the highest literary award of the country — Jnanpith award — in 2007 for his collection ‘Siyah Rood Jaeren Manz’ (In Black Drizzle). He was also conferred the Padma Shri award in 2000 for his works. Rahi received the Sahitya Akademi Award for his collection of poems ‘Nawroz-i-Saba’ in 1961. He translated the works of Baba Farid into Kashmiri, while Dina Nath Naadim’s influence was apparent in his early works.Rahi’s demise was widely condoled in Kashmir with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha terming his his death as “end of an era”.
J&K Lt Governor Maoj Sinha while condoling the demise of Prof Rahi said “Deeply saddened to learn of the passing away of Jnanpith awardee Prof Rehman Rahi, one of the most influential poets in Kashmiri in recent times. His passing marks the end of an era. My sincere condolences to his family, friends and well-wishers.”
National Conference President and MP from Srinagar Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Parry Vice President Omar Abdullah in their separate condolence message expressed profound grief over the demise of the exponent of Kashmiri language, noted progressive poet and lyricist Prof. Abdur Rehman Rahi. Condoling Prof. Rehman Rahi’s demise, Dr. Farooq said, “I am extremely pained to know about the passing away of Prof Rahi Sahib. He was a living validation of Kashmir’s cultural standing and literary genius. The Kashmiri poetic scene has been impoverished today. My heartfelt condolences and sympathies are with the bereaved family of his. I pray for peace to the departed soul in the highest echelons of Jannat.” In his condolence message National Conference Vice President and former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, “I am deeply saddened by the demise of legendary Kashmiri poet and lyricist Rahman Rahi. He will be remembered for his pre-eminent contribution as a poet and as a critic enriching Kashmiri language and literature in a profound manner. With his memorable poetry, he has left an indelible mark on the hearts of people. Today the literary world has suffered a great loss. May the departed soul rest in eternal peace. My condolences to his loved ones in this hour of grief.”
Condoling the demise of Prof Rahi the former Union Minister Prof Saif Ud Din Soz said “Prof. Rahman Rahi’s demise is a tragic situation, that in a way it marks the end of an era! Rahi’s poetry represented the best in Kashmir’s cultural landscape. In my opinion, Rahi happened to be a ‘Sangham’ of Kashmir’s modern and ancient cultural moorings. Rahi’s demise is a great loss to the present day scholars, who might have started their journey to understand Kashmir’s culture in its various dimensions. Rahi’s poetry offered the best of Kashmir’s ancient and modern history. He was a thorough human being and certainly not given to any bias. Rahi had mastered the central theme of the Sufiyana and the Jadeed trends in Kashmiri poetry. It is not a joke that anyone wanting to know the basic character of Kashmiri poetry was told to get to know Rahi and that is all. Rahi’s death is a great loss to us! I sincerely share the bereavement and offer my condolences to the bereaved family. May Allah rest his soul in peace!”
Condoling the demise of Prof Rehman Rahi the former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti in a tweet said “Saddened to hear about the sad demise of towering literary personality and Gyanpeeth Awardee Jinab Rehman Rahi sb. In his death, Kashmiri Literature and society has been left with a void that can never be filled. My condolences to the family,” she tweeted.
Condoling the demise of Prof Rehman Rahi the President J&K Apni Party Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari expressed his profound grief and sorrow over the demise of Prof RehmanRahi and said “I am deeply saddened over the death of Rahi Sahib. He was a son of the soil whose presence was a blessing to Kashmir’s society. Rahi Sahib’s death has left a void that cannot be filled. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family.”
The Chairman J&K Peoples’ Democratic Front (JKPF) and former Minister Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen while condoling demise of Prof Rehman Rahi ,described his demise a big loss to the literary world especially kashmiri art , language and literature. He said his demise has created a void in the world of kashmiri literature ,which could not be filled for long. Hakeem expressed heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.
Condoling the demise of Prof Rehman Rahi the CPI(M) Secretary M Y Tarigami in a tweet said “Rehman Rahi was one of the most outstanding figures in Kashmiri literature. His creative brilliance found expression in various genres of literature. His works reflect cultural and political vicissitudes of Kashmir. They’ll continue to influence young bards and writers. Deep condolences.”
