Aligarh, UTTAR PRADESH :
Acclaimed lyricist Shahryar of Umraao Jaan fame, 75, died of lung cancer last night at Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh.
Born at Aonla Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, he belonged to a Muslim Rajput family. Shahryar retired as chairman of the Urdu Department at the Aligarh Muslim University. Later, he used to co-edit the literary magazine Sher-o-Hikmat.
Originally christened Akhlaq Mohammed Khan, he was recognised for his lyrics in Muzaffar Ali’s films like Gaman (1978), Umrao Jaan (1981) and Anjuman (1986).
His last lyrics were for Mira Nair’s critically acclaimed The Namesake (2006). In 1987, he was rewarded with the Sahitya Akademi Award in Urdu for Khwab Ka Dar Band Hai (1987). He was the fourth Urdu writer to win the Jnanpith Award in 2008.
In memoriam
I knew him since 1966. He was family to me. The news of his death came as a great shock to me. He was one of the greatest modern poets. He was my inspiration. I used his poetry in all my films. I met him last when he received the Jnanpith Award. It was two and a half months back. He was undergoing chemotherapy at that time. Actually, I was planning to go to Aligarh to meet him. However, it never materialised.
Shahryar’s death is not only a loss to me but to the world of poetry. He was an extremely well mannered person, particularly sensitive to social issues. As for his work, his maximum contribution was in Umraao Jaan. But you cannot rule out the value that he added to Anjuman and Gaman. It’s an irreparable loss. I will miss him.
I was shocked at the news. Shahryar had done some great work and wrote some outstanding songs in his film career, especially in Umrao Jaan. The songs were immortal. He understood the soul of the movies. Ek se ek gaane likhe the. He received an honorary doctorate, few years back. He also got the Jnanpith award and he deserved these awards. Bahut bade shayar hai hamare mulukh ke.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> Entertainment> Hindu> Bollywood News / Mumbai Mirror / February 14th, 2012