Memories of Bashir Badr come alive as Vishal & Rekha Bhardwaj pay tribute

Bhopal: Memories of celebrated Urdu poet Bashir Badr came alive at Ravindra Bhavan on Wednesday as filmmaker-composer Vishal Bhardwaj and singer Rekha Bhardwaj joined hundreds of literature lovers at "Yaade Bashir Badr", a tribute programme organised by the Madhya Pradesh Urdu Academy. Through personal anecdotes, recitations and song, the evening celebrated the poet whose verses continue to resonate across generations.Held under the aegis of the Madhya Pradesh Culture Council and the Culture Department, the programme featured a dialogue session and an all-India mushaira dedicated to celebrating Badr's literary legacy and enduring influence on Urdu poetry.The highlight of the evening was a conversation titled "Mohabbaton Ka Safeer Shayar: Bashir Badr", in which Vishal Bhardwaj, Rekha Bhardwaj and Urdu Academy director Nusrat Mehdi reflected on the poet's life, personality and literary contributions.Recalling his first encounter with Bashir Badr's poetry, Vishal Bhardwaj said a couplet he came across during his college days left a lasting impression on him. He said he became so fascinated by the poet's writing that he borrowed one of his ghazal collections for a night and spent hours copying the verses into his diary. "That diary remained with me for years. Gradually, his poetry became an obsession and I began visiting him in Meerut. Those moments remain among the most precious memories of my life," he said.Rekha Bhardwaj said her introduction to Bashir Badr came through Vishal Bhardwaj, who frequently recited the poet's verses during their college days. She recalled that when she eventually met Badr, he affectionately introduced her as his daughter."He embraced me with immense warmth and made me feel like part of his family," she said.During the session, Vishal and Rekha Bhardwaj also recited and sang selected ghazals by Bashir Badr, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience. The discussion was moderated by Sameena Ali Siddiqui."His ghazals expressed the emotions of ordinary people with remarkable simplicity and beauty. This programme is not only a tribute to him but also an effort to introduce younger generations to his creative legacy and literary values," Urdu Academy director Nusrat Mehdi said.Several poets also dedicated special couplets to Bashir Badr, remembering him as one of the most influential voices in modern Urdu poetry. The mushaira was conducted by Delhi-based poet Salman Saeed.