NAHI, SAHIR KE ROOH KO KOI CHHOO NAHI SAKTA

Sahir Ludhianvi had died and had created shock waves in literary, films and even political circles -ALI PETER JOHN

There was a move among his admirers to have a plaque built in his honour on the popular Linking Road, the well known shopping area in Suburban Bombay.

The plaque in black marble with his name inscribed in gold letters was built in a short time and was declared open in the presence of a large number of celebrities from the different walks of life which showed how popular he was.

I was a nobody standing with the crowd and feeling proud about my favourite poet being honoured like this.

But my joy was to last only for one night. The next morning, the plaque was found vandalised and there was protests.

And there were promises made to build a plaque again but to this day, almost 40 years later, there has been no sign of the plaque even as small time comedians, character actors and music directors besides smugglers, dons and other underworld denizens have huge and colourful plaques built to honour (?) them.

In another few months it will be the centenary of Sahir and his growing number of admirers are planning events to celebrate his centenary.

As a great admirer of Sahir, I would be only too glad to make my contribution towards celebrating the event.

Sahir yuhi maara nahi ja sakta. Sahir koi jism thori tha jo mar gaya, Sahir ek amar rooh thi jo hazaro saal tak zinda rahegi aur kahi zamaane ko prerna deti rahegi.