Poet Rahat Indori, undergoing COVID treatment, dies of heart attack

New Delhi : Noted Urdu poet Rahat Indori, passed away at an Indore hospital on Tuesday after suffering two heart attacks. He was 70.

“He suffered two heart attacks today and could not be saved. He was admitted to hospital on Sunday, after testing positive for COVID-19. He had 60% pneumonia,” according to the doctor of Sri Aurobindo Hospital.

The poet had earlier tweeted about being coronavirus positive, asking people to pray for his quick recovery. He further asked people to not call up either him or his home to enquire about his health. He had said they will be getting updates through Twitter.

Indori, an Urdu scholar of great reputation, was one of the biggest mushaira stars in the country and had a 50-year long career.

Earlier this year, his poem “Bulati hai magar jane ka nahi” went viral on social media, making him a sensation among the youth.

Lyricist-writer Javed Akhtar called Indori’s death “an irreparable loss” to contemporary Urdu poetry and society at large.

“Like Habib Jalib, he was from the fast disappearing tribe of poets who are never short of courage to call a spade a spade,” Akhtar said.

Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot condoled the death of noted Urdu poet Rahat Indori. Former chief minister Vasundhara Raje also condoled the death and tweeted a couplet by Indori.

Indori wrote the lyrics of several songs, including “Chori Chori Jab Nazrein Mili” from Kareeb, “Koi jaye to le aye” from Ghatak , and “Neend Churai Meri” from Ishq.