Dr. Naseem Nikhat (1958–2023) was a luminary of contemporary Urdu poetry, celebrated for her bold, satirical, and emotionally resonant verses that carved out a significant space for female voices in a traditionally male-dominated literary landscape. Born in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, she passed away in Lucknow at the age of 64, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to inspire.
Dr. Nikhat’s journey began under unique circumstances. Given up for adoption shortly after birth, she was raised by her aunt and uncle in a nurturing home steeped in Urdu culture. This early immersion in a literary environment, filled with the recitation of Urdu and Persian couplets, profoundly shaped her artistic sensibilities. Her foster mother’s distinctive use of idioms and expressions provided a rich linguistic foundation that would later surface in her poetry. Tragedy struck early when her foster father passed away when she was twelve, a formative experience that added a layer of depth to her understanding of life’s hardships.
At the tender age of 15, she married Munnawar Jafri, an event that, rather than hindering her growth, became a catalyst for her literary career. She entered a family with deep literary roots; her father-in-law was the distinguished poet Dr. Gauhar Lucknavi. With the encouragement of her supportive husband, Nikhat found the freedom to pursue her passion. Motherhood further enriched her work, infusing it with powerful themes of maternal love and the intricate experiences of womanhood.
Although she received brief formal training in classical meter and prosody, Dr. Nikhat quickly realised that traditional themes did not align with her desire to address contemporary social realities. She forged her own path, developing a distinctive and accessible style that resonated with a wide audience. Her poetry became a powerful vehicle for social commentary and feminist expression.
Her literary output includes several acclaimed poetry collections, such as “Dhuan Dhuan”, “Khwab Dekhne Walo”, and what is often cited as her most notable work, “Phoolon ka Bojh”. Her work fearlessly tackled pressing social issues, from the insecurities within her community to the patriarchal norms that marginalised women’s voices. She wrote with sensitivity and courage on communal tensions, including events like the 2002 Gujarat riots and the Babri Masjid incident. Beyond her poetry, she also demonstrated scholarly rigour with her work “Urdu Shayari Mein Waqiat-e-Karbala”, an academic exploration of the events of Karbala in Urdu poetry.
One of her most celebrated couplets encapsulates her philosophical depth:
“Apne chehre ko badalna to bahut mushkil hai / Dil bahal jaega aaina badal kar dekho” (Changing one’s face is very difficult / The heart will be consoled, try changing the mirror)
Dr. Nikhat’s talent earned her widespread recognition. She was a celebrated figure on the international mushaira (poetry symposium) circuit, captivating audiences worldwide with her confident delivery and the emotional power of her verses. Her contributions were formally acknowledged with literary awards, and her name was often mentioned alongside those of other pioneering female poets, such as Parveen Shakir and Kishwar Naheed.
In her final years, she battled several health issues, including heart attacks and a brain stroke. She passed away from a cardiac arrest on April 29, 2023. Fellow poet Munnawar Rana mourned her as “among the great Urdu poets of the century” and appealed for a posthumous Padma Shri in her honour.