Prof Hamidi Kashmiri, a well known Urdu poet, writer, educationist and former Vice-Chancellor of Kashmir University was remembered on his second death anniversary.
His relatives, friends, readers and others influenced by his decades of work, remembered the genius of Prof Hamidi.
Prof Hamidi was born in 1932 in Bohri Kadal. He had his education at SP College. In 1958 he obtained degree of MA Urdu from Punjab University and did his PhD with his path-breaking thesis “Jadeed Urdu Nazmaur Europee Asraat,” which was later published in the shape of a book too.
He started his career as lecturer in SP college and later became Assistant Secretary in Jammu Kashmir Academy of Art Culture and Languages. He joined Kashmir University as lecture in 1961.
Regarded as one of the tallest names in Kashmiri and Urdu language and literature, his first novel in Urdu was Waadi Ke Phool, which revolved around the freedom struggle of Kashmir. The novel highlighted the Kashmir struggle in the aftermath of 1931, the oppression of Dogra rulers and the sufferings of the people.
Hamidi Kashmiri also wrote books on Ghalib, Mir Taqi Mir and AllamaIqbal.
He became the vice-chancellor of University of Kashmir in the aftermath of killing of Mushir-ul-Haq when nobody from outside wanted to join the University and he is credited to have steered the university at a crucial time.
Hamidi wrote thought provoking books on Ghalib, Mir Taqi Mir and Iqbal. He presented them in an altogether new light. After 1970s, Hamidi also started writing extensively on Kashmiri literature, attesting to his authority in Kashmiri too. In his literary career spanning over many decades, Hamidi wrote around 70 books. These included Iqtishafi Tanqeed Ki Sheryat, Ainame Ibraaq, Mahasir Tanqeed, Riyasati Jammu Aur Kashmir Urdu Adab, Jadeed Kashir Shayeri and Shiekh–ul-Aalam Aur Shayeri. He has to his credit more than 20 books on Urdu criticism alone and experts term him one of the three top urdu critics of South Asia.
His numerous awards include Sahitya academy award, Bihar Urdu Academy award, Bengal Urdu Academy awards. Ghalib Award, Imteyaz e Mir award from Mir Academy Lucknow and JKAACL awards. He was bestowed by Government of India with the third highest civilian award of Padma Shri in 2010.