January 20, 2003	Monday	Ziqa'ad 16, 1423

BOMBAY, Jan 19: Renowned Hindi poet Harivanshrai Bachchan, father of Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan, has died after an illness, a family aide said on Sunday.

The 96-year-old poet, whose lyrical and sensitive writing enthralled several generations of Hindi-speaking people, died at his son’s house just before midnight on Saturday, aide Adesh Parcha told Reuters.

Harivanshrai was suffering from respiratory problems and his condition worsened earlier this week, Parcha said.

During a literary career spanning more than half a century, Harivanshrai published about 30 anthologies of poems and his autobiography is considered a masterpiece.

His most popular work, Madhushala (Tavern), extolled the virtues of drinking and Harivanshrai is sometimes compared to legendary Persian poet Omar Khayya who also wrote in praise of alcohol.—Reuters