City litterateurs fondly remember Sardar Anjum
Anupam Bhagria
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, July 10
Apart from being honoured with Padma Bhushan in 2005 and Padmashri in 1991, famous lyricist, poet and philosopher Sardar Anjum, who passed away yesterday, had a literary connection with the city as well.
Equating Anjum with Sahir Ludhanavi, litterateurs in city remembered him participating in Jashan-e-Sahir mushaira five times.
Renowned Urdu poet Sardar Panchhi said: “I feel after Sahir Ludhianvi we have lost another poet of his stature.” “Jaane ke baad jaane wale ki yaad aati hai,” he said.
Recalling the evening he was conferred with Sahir award by Adeeb International organisation, Dr Kewal Dhir, a city based literary expert, said: “He was a good friend. I used to tell him that he is a ‘baagi shayar’ (a revolutionary poet). He was awarded with Sahir award at Jashan-e-Sahir mushaira 20 years ago. His poetry depicts that he was upset with the political and social system. His Urdu poetry was not only progressive but revolutionary as well. His death has created a void in the literary world.”
Satitya Academy award winner Professor Niranjan Tasneem, another city based litterateur, said: “He was a poet with a difference and never mixed up with people at odd hours. He wrote about deep-rooted problems of the society and his poetry was ahead of time. He could foresee events and predicted it through his poetry. His book ‘Goongi tareef’ was against terrorist activities.”
