“When I die, write me a different identity, take my blood and write Hindustan on my forehead.” That was Rahat Indori, the man of letters whose fiery verse fused the personal and the political and made him a poet for the times. Rahat Indori was an Urdu professor, poet, painter and also wrote Indian Bollywood lyrics.
Birth, Early Life and Education
Rahat Indori was born on January 1, 1950, in Indore. His father was Rafatullah Qureshi, who was a cloth mill worker and mother Maqbool Un Nisa Begum, was a housewife.
He completed his schooling from Nutan School. In the year 1973, he graduated from Islamia Karimia College, Indore. In the year 1975, he got his post-graduation in Urdu Literature from Barkatullah University, Bhopal. He was awarded a PhD in Urdu literature from Bhoj University, Madhya Pradesh in the year of 1985, for his thesis ‘Urdu Main Mushaira’.
Rahat Indori: Personal Life
On 27th May, 1986 he got married to Seema Rahat. The couple had a daughter Shibil and two sons– Faisal Rahat and Satlaj Rahat. He then again married to Urdu and Hindi language poet Anjum Rehbar in the year 1988 and the couple separated in 1993.
Rahat Indori: Career
Before becoming a full time poet and lyricist, Rahat Indori taught Urdu Literature at Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya for 16 years. He was also a painter and painted several Bollywood posters and banners.
From the last 40-45 years, Rahat Indori was actively performing in Mushairas and Kavi Sammelans. Rahat Indori was not only a celebrated poet in India but was also a recognized Urdu poet internationally. He has given numerous performances in the USA, UK, UAE, Canada, Singapore, Mauritius, KSA, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal etc.
Rahat Indori: Death
Rahat Indori took his last breath on August 11, 2020, at Aurobindo Hospital, Indore, after suffering two cardiac arrests at the age of 70 years. He tested COVID-19 positive a day before his death. JavedAkhtar and ShabanaAzmi expressed their heartfelt condolences for him in their social media accounts.
Rahat Indori: Books
1- Rut
2- Do Kadar Or Sahi
3- Mere Baad
4- Dhoop Bahut Hai
5- Chand Pagal Hai
6- Maujood
7- Naraz
Rahat Indori: Bollywood Songs
1- Mere Khayal for the film Main Tera Aashiq.
2- Tuta hua dil tere hawaale for the film Aashiyan.
3- Zindagi naam ko hamari hai for the film Aashiyan.
4- Aaj humne dil ka har kissa for the film Sir.
5- Dil jigar ke jaan achchha hai for the film Janam.
6- Tumsa koi pyaara koi masoom for the film Khuddar.
7- Khat likhna humein khat likhna for the film Khuddar.
8- Tum mano ya na mano for the film Khuddar.
9- Raat kya maange ek sitaara for the film Khuddar.
10- Dil ko hazaar baar roka for the film Murder.
11- M Bole to for the film Munnabhai MBBS.
12- Chan Chan for the film Munnabhai MBBS.
13- Dekhle Aankhon Mein Aankhien Daal for the film Munnabhai MBBS.
Rahat Indori: Famous Poems/Shayri
1- Bulati hai magar jane ka nai,
Wo duniya hai udhar jane ka nai.
2- Mai mar jaun to meri alag pehchan likh dena,
Lahu se meri peshani pe hindustan likh dena.
3- Ankh me pani rakho, hontho pe chingari rakho,
zinda rehna hai to tarkeebein bahut sari rakho.
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