LAHORE, Jan 28: Noted Na’at Khwan and poet Muzaffar Warsi passed away on Friday after a protracted illness. He was 77. He won wide acclaim for lending his melodious voice to Na’ats many of which have become popular mobile ringtones. One of the famous recitals over the years has been: “Koie to hai jo nizam-i-hasti chala raha hai”.

His son, Haseeb Warsi, told Dawn that he (Muzaffar Warsi) had been bed-ridden for the last couple of years. Of late he had developed complications and remained hospitalised for a couple of months.

On Friday night, Haseeb said, his father collapsed at his home in Johar Town and died on way to hospital.

Funeral will be taken out from 297 A-3, Johar Town, at 8:30am on Saturday (today).

Muzaffar Warsi was born on Dec 23, 1933 in Meerath, India. He was a prominent Urdu poet, critic, essayist and lyricist. Among his publications were collection of various poetry genres and autobiography entitled “Gaye dinon ka suraagh” which was considered a classic. He also used to write for Urdu newspapers.

It was as a Na’at Khwan he won celebrity and the government honoured him with Pride of Performance.

Muzaffar Warsi was born as Muhammad Muzaffaruddin Siddiqui into the family of Alhaaj Muhammad Sharfuddin Ahmad (who was better known as Sufi Warsi). It was a family of landlords of Meerath.

Sufi Warsi was a scholar of Islam, a doctor and a poet. He received two titles: Faseehul Hind & Sharaf-u-shu’ara. He was the friend of Sir Muhammad Iqbal, Allama Iqbal, Akbar Warsi, Hasrat Mohani, Josh Malih Abadi, Ehsan Danish, Abul Kalaam Azad and Mahindar Singh Bedi.

Muzaffar Warsi had worked as deputy treasurer with the State Bank of Pakistan. He started his poetry by writing lyrics of songs for Pakistani movies but gradually changed direction and his style of poetry became more oriented towards praising Allah and Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).