Munawwar Rana Explained

Munawwar Rana
Birth Date:26 November 1952
Birth Place:Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, India
Death Place:Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Occupation:Urdu poet, writer
Period:20th century
Genre:Poetry, Ghazal
Spouse:Raina Rana
Children:5
Awards:Sahitya Akademi Award for Urdu Literature (2014;[1] returned in 2015)[2]

Munawwar Rana (26 November 1952 – 14 January 2024) was an Indian Urdu poet. He was honoured with the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2014 for his poem Shahdaba.[3] [4]

Early life

Munawwar Rana was born on 26 November 1952 in Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh, India. He spent most of his life in Kolkata, West Bengal.[5]

Poetic style

Rana wrote in Urdu and Awadhi, but avoided the Persian and Arabic vocabulary which distinguish Urdu from Hindi. This makes his poetry accessible to Indian audiences and explains his popularity in the poetic meets held in non-Urdu areas.[6] [7] His poetry exuding love for mother and motherland reached global audience through skillful translation by fellow Indian poet Dr Tapan Kumar Pradhan.[8] [9]

Ghazals

Munawwar published several ghazals[10] with a distinct style of writing. Most of his shers (couplets) have "mother" as the centre point of his love.[11] [12] His Urdu ghazals have been translated into English by Tapan Kumar Pradhan.[13]

Controversies

Ram Mandir verdict

In August 2020, Munawwar Rana accused former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi of "selling himself" to deliver the Ayodhya verdict.[14] He further said that it was not justice, it was an order.[14] His comment could not be published due to its highly derogatory nature.[14]

Murder of Samuel Paty

In October 2020, Rana spoke in support of the murder of Samuel Paty, a French school teacher who used two caricatures of Muhammad from the pages of Charlie Hebdo in a class on freedom of expression.[15] Speaking to the media, Munawwar said that the caricatures were made to defame Muhammad and Islam and that such acts force people to take extreme steps as in the case of France. He further said that he too would have done the same had he been in his place.[16] When asked during the interview, if he endorsed the killings, Mr. Rana repeated, "I will kill [that person]."[17]

The Uttar Pradesh Police charged him under IPC 153A (Promoting enmity between different groups on the ground of religion), 295A (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion), 298 (Uttering, words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person), 505(1)(b) (Punishes those with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm among the public, or any section of the public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the state or against the public tranquility), 505(2) (Whoever makes, publishes or circulates any statement, rumour or report, with intent to incite, or which is likely to incite, any class or community of persons to commit any offence against any other class or community) and IT Act 67 and 66.

Talking to a news agency, Rana said:

Favour of Taliban

Rana refused to recognize the Taliban as a terrorist organization, amid an ongoing controversy over the statements made in the organisation's favour.[18] [19] [20]

Comparing Maharishi Valmiki To Taliban

In August 2020 while talking to a channel, Rana said:

In response, Madhya Pradesh Police registered the case under IPC Section 505(2) (statements conducing to public mischief) and it was forwarded to Hazratganj police station at Lucknow in UP.[21] [22] [23] Another FIR registered against him mentioned IPC Sections 505 (2) (public mischief) and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The Allahabad High Court refused to quash an FIR filed against him for allegedly comparing Ramayana author Valmiki, with the Taliban.[24] [25] The division bench of Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Saroj Yadav asked Rana's lawyer, "Why do you (Rana) make such kind of remarks. Why don't you (Rana) do what your work is?"[26]

Personal life

Munnawar Rana was married and lived in Lucknow.[27]

His son Tabrez Rana was arrested by Rae Bareli police in August 2021 for allegedly having staged a shootout against Munnawar Rana in June in order to frame his uncle and cousin in a property dispute.[28] [29] [30]

Rana died on 14 January 2024 at the age of 71 from throat cancer at Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences.[31] He is buried in the Aishbagh Qabristan cemetery, and the namaz-e-janaza was held at Nadvatul Ulama Lucknow. Akhilesh Yadav and Javed Akhtar joined the Janaza.[32]

Akhtar said

Today, there has been a big loss to Urdu, poetry and culture of India. This breed is slowly disappearing. First Rahat Saheb and now Munawwar. They cannot be compensated and I pray that their family and relatives get courage in this difficult time.[33]
Narendra Modi, the prime minister of India, condoled the death of Rana and said

Pained by the passing away of Shri Munawwar Rana Ji. He made rich contributions to Urdu literature and poetry. Condolences to his family and admirers. May his soul rest in peace.[34] [35]

Nitish Kumar, chief minister of Bihar, condoled his death and said

Late Munawwar Rana was a famous poet. Apart from Urdu, he used to write in Hindi and Awadhi languages. He was awarded the 2014 Sahitya Akademi Award for Urdu literature. The demise of Munawwar Rana has caused an irreparable loss to the literary world, especially the Urdu literary. I prayed to God to give him an important place in heaven and give strength to his family to bear this irreparable loss.[36]

Awards

See also

References

  1. Web site: TNN. 20 December 2014. Munawwar Rana wins Sahitya Akademi award Lucknow News – Times of India. 6 November 2020. The Times of India. en.
  2. Web site: Urdu Poet Munawwar Rana Returns Sahitya Akademi Award. 6 November 2020. NDTV.com.
  3. News: 15 January 2024 . Eminent Urdu poet Munawwar Rana dead . 15 January 2024 . . 0971-8257.
  4. Web site: ..:: SAHITYA : Akademi Awards ::.. . 15 January 2024 . sahitya-akademi.gov.in.
  5. News: Biography of a Popular Indian Urdu Shayar : Munawwar Rana Saheb. 19 October 2015. Poetryone.com.
  6. News: Dallas: Urdu-Hindi Mushaira to be organized on Oct 25. 19 October 2015. The News International.
  7. Web site: Some sprinkles of honey-dipped verses. https://web.archive.org/web/20090318145922/http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/30/stories/2007073050590200.htm. dead. 18 March 2009. The Hindu. 30 July 2007. 28 October 2015.
  8. News: How Manawwar Rana's Poetry Celebrates Maternal Love. 15 January 2024. Sadaket Ali Malik. Kashmir Life.
  9. News: Famous poet Manawwar Rana passes away. 16 January 2024. Rishika Khana. Asia Net News.
  10. Web site: Author Profile :Vani Prakashan. vaniprakashan.in. 28 October 2015. 3 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303224012/http://www.vaniprakashan.in/auth-details.php?wid=599. dead.
  11. News: Munawwar Rana Poetry On Sonia Gandhi. 19 October 2015. 12 October 2020. hi.
  12. Web site: معروف بھارتی شاعر منور رانا دل کے دورے کے باعث چل بسے. 24 News Digital Urdu. 15 January 2024. 15 January 2024. ur.
  13. Web site: Kolkata Poetry Confluence : Translation Awards Announced. Kolkata Poetry Confluence. 31 August 2022.
  14. Web site: 18 August 2020 . Ram Mandir verdict: Munawwar Rana stokes controversy with objectionable comment on ex-CJI Ranjan Gogoi . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210507035448/https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/ram-mandir-verdict-munawwar-rana-stokes-controversy-with-objectionable-comment-on-ex-cji-ranjan-gogoi/638815 . 7 May 2021 . 12 January 2022 . timesnownews.com . en.
  15. News: Chauhan . Arvind . 2 November 2020 . Uttar Pradesh: FIR against Urdu poet Munawwar Rana for 'supporting' France murder . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220821095803/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/uttar-pradesh-fir-against-urdu-poet-munawwar-rana-for-supporting-france-murder/articleshow/78995996.cms . 21 August 2022 . 2 November 2020 . Times of India.
  16. Web site: 31 October 2020. Munawwar Rana stands in support of France attacker, says caricatures made to defame Hussain Bohra Islam. 1 November 2020. DNA India. en.
  17. News: Rashid . Omar . 2 November 2020 . Poet Munawwar Rana booked for remarks on France attacks . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210225100044/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/poet-munawwar-rana-booked-for-remarks-on-france-attacks/article33004769.ece . 25 February 2021 . 3 November 2020 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
  18. Web site: DNA: Munawwar Rana's words on Taliban more 'dangerous' than bullets?. 12 January 2022. DNA India. en.
  19. Web site: Taliban is not terrorist organisation, fighting for their country, says poet Munawwar Rana. 12 January 2022. The Economic Times. 19 August 2021 . en.
  20. Web site: मुनव्वर राना बोले- तालिबान ने अपने मुल्क को आजाद करा लिया, दिक्कत क्या है. 12 January 2022. Navbharat Times. hi.
  21. Web site: 24 August 2021. MP: FIR against poet Munawwar Rana for comparing Valmiki to Taliban. 12 January 2022. The Indian Express. en.
  22. Web site: Scroll Staff. Poet Munawwar Rana named in FIR for allegedly comparing Valmiki to Taliban. 12 January 2022. Scroll.in. 24 August 2021 . en-US.
  23. News: . 21 August 2021. FIR lodged against poet Munawwar Rana for comparing Valmiki to Taliban. en-IN. The Hindu. 12 January 2022. 0971-751X.
  24. Abhishek Mishra . 7 September 2021 . Allahabad HC refuses to quash FIR against Urdu poet Munawwar Rana for comparing Taliban with Valmiki. 12 January 2022. India Today. en.
  25. Web site: Valmiki remark: Allahabad High Court refuses to stay arrest of poet Munawwar Rana. 12 January 2022. The New Indian Express. 3 September 2021 .
  26. Web site: Ravi Singh Sisodiya. 4 September 2021. HC: Poet Munawwar Rana should do what his work is Lucknow News . 12 January 2022. The Times of India. en.
  27. Web site: Mushaira to make Oct 23 a 'day of humanity'. https://web.archive.org/web/20131029200241/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-10-22/ludhiana/28223648_1_poetry-mushaira-general-secretary. dead. 29 October 2013. The Times of India. 28 October 2015.
  28. Web site: 3 July 2021. Munawwar Rana's son booked for 'staged attack', he says cops 'acted like goons'. 12 January 2022. The Indian Express. en.
  29. Santosh Sharma . 26 August 2021 . Poet Munawwar Rana's son arrested in UP for staging shootout against himself to frame relatives. 12 January 2022. India Today. en.
  30. Web site: 2 July 2021. Munawwar Rana's son faked attack on self in a bid to frame false case on his uncles: UP Police. 12 January 2022. ThePrint. en-US.
  31. News: Renowned poet Munawwar Rana passes away at age 71 . 14 January 2024 . Deccan Herald . 14 January 2024.
  32. Web site: 15 January 2024 . जावेद अख्तर ने मुनव्वर राना के जनाजे को दिया कंधा, बोले, 'हिंदुस्तान की तहजीब का बड़ा नुकसान' . 16 January 2024 . आज तक . hi.
  33. Web site: Munawwar Rana Death: जावेद अख्तर ने मुनव्वर राना के जनाजे को द‍िया कंधा, कहा 'हिंदुस्तान का नुकसान' . 2024-01-16 . India.com . hi.
  34. Web site: Navabharat . 2024-01-15 . Munawwar Rana Death मुनव्वर राना के निधन पर PM मोदी ने जताया शोक, कहा 'उर्दू साहित्य और कविता में उनका रहा समृद्ध योगदान' Navabharat (नवभारत) . 2024-01-16 . Navabharat . hi.
  35. Web site: Munawwar Rana Death: मुनव्वर राना के न‍िधन पर पीएम मोदी ने जताया दुख, कही ये बात . 16 January 2024 . Dainik Jagran . hi.
  36. Web site: 2024-01-16 . मशहूर शायर मुनव्वर राणा का निधन, मुख्यमंत्री नीतीश कुमार ने व्यक्त की गहरी शोक संवेदना . 2024-01-16 . Punjabkesari.
  37. News: Watch Urdu poet Munawwar Rana return his Sahitya Akademi award on ABP News' LIVE debate #साहित्यकारVsसरकार. 18 October 2015. 18 October 2015. www.abplive.in.
  38. Web site: Urdu Poet Munawwar Rana Returns Sahitya Akademi Award. 6 November 2020. NDTV.com.
  39. News: Hindustan Times. 25 December 2014. 19 December 2014. Trying to Say Goodbye author Adil Jussawalla wins Sahitya Akademi Award 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141219165202/http://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/books/trying-to-say-goodbye-author-adil-jussawalla-wins-sahitya-akademi-award-2014/article1-1298277.aspx. dead. 19 December 2014.
  40. News: Urdu poet Munawwar Rana returns his Sahitya Akademi award. 19 October 2015. Timesofindia.
  41. Web site: मुनव्वर राना सहित पांच को माटी रतन . 23 August 2020 . Amar Ujala . Hindi.

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