Agra will on Saturday celebrate the 275th birth anniversary of noted 18th century Urdu poet Nazeer Akbarabadi, popularly known as the “people’s poet”. This year, the anniversary falls on Basant Panchami — the first day of spring.

The modest tomb of Akbarabadi, who wrote on subjects of love and common man’s life, is located just 100 metres away from Taj Mahal. It will be in focus Saturday as his admirers will queue up to pay him homage.

For most part of the year, Nazir’s tomb in the Taj Ganj area lies in a neglected state. Only during Basant Panchami does it springs back to life as a ‘mushaira’, or poets’ conclave, is held.

The Agra Municipal Corporation and the Agra Development Authority took the initiative to provide a canopy over the tomb and spruce up the area to attract tourists who visit the Taj Mahal.

His life in Agra

It was Nazeer Akbarabadi who gave Agra a new identity through his poetry.

He wrote about things that touched the hearts of both Muslims and Hindus and these included festivals, dance and theatre, bird fights and kite-flying.

Nazir looked at the follies of royalty with disdain but sang lyrically about the antics of Lord Krishna and poked fun at the fundamentalists.

Nazir also loved the Taj Mahal ‘deeply’ and there is a story that once he decided to leave Agra for greener pastures but returned after walking some distance when he lost sight of the monument. IANS

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> In School / by IANS / Agra – January 24th, 2015