2018-08-31 Fri

Peerzada Ghulam Ahmad Mehjoor, the renowned poet of the Kashmir Valley, was born on 11th August, 1887 at Mitrigam. He is especially noted for introducing a new style into Kashmiri poetry and for expanding it into previously unexplored thematic realms.

His mother passed away when he was two years old. He was brought up by his father, a Moulvi by profession, and his grandmother who were both Persian and Arabic scholars.

Mahjoor got his pen name MAHJOOR when he visited Punjab and starting writing poetry under the influence of great Urdu poet, Shibli Nomani. In addition to his poems in Kashmiri, Mahjoor is also noted for his poetic compositions in Persian and Urdu.

Mahjoor worked as a patwari (regional administrator) in Kashmir. Along with his official duties, he spent his free time writing poetry, and his first Kashmiri poem 'Vanta hay vesy' was published in 1918.

The noted Kahmiri poet and social thinker breathed his last on 9th April, 1952. His body was laid rest at Athwajan, Srinagar where a mausoleum has been built.

To honor him Department of post has issued commemorative postage stamp 2013.

Image Source: Mintage World