FAMOUS Urdu writer Krishn Chandr died 35 years ago on March 8, 1977. Born on Nov 23, 1913, to Dr Gori Shankar and Premashuri Devi, who belonged to Wazirabad, Krishn Chandr spent his childhood in Poonch, where his father served as a doctor.

Chandr was greatly inspired by the scenic beauty of Poonch. He loved fruit trees, flowers, lakes, and fountains which later on augmented his creative abilities. Meri Yadoon Key Channar, a novel-cum-autobiography throws light on the beauty of Kashmir of the 1920s vis-a-vis the atrocities inflicted upon poor labourers by the Raja’s administration.

For higher education Chandr moved to Lahore in 1929 where he did his MA in Enlgish Literature in 1935 and LLB in 1937. He stayed in Lahore till 1940 and then moved to Dehli. He joined radio and flourished under the guidance of Patras Bukhari.

He wrote his famous drama ‘Saraey key bahaar’ during this period that brought him accolades from all corners of India. Side by side, his short stories were gaining popularity and were sought anxiously by editors of prominent literary journals. Chandr always spoke for the rights of the poor.

A staunch socialist, he always advocated for the rights and uplift of the poor. In his novel Gadhey ki sargazhisht (Story of a Donkey), he highlighted the miseries faced by poor people when they have to go to government offices for work.

Chandr penned hundreds of short stories which are still popular among Urdu readers. His style was lucid and fluent. The voice of the majority highlighted the social enigmas that are still prevailing in our society. His award winning short stories ‘Andaata’, ‘Poorey Chand ki Raat’, and ‘Shehzada’ touch the core of heart of readers.

His power of knitting characters to perfection was awesome. Kaalo Bahngi and Tai Aeisri are the characters that moved many readers to tears. His approach to life was positive and constructive. He always talked of the betterment of the common man.

Chandr married twice. Vidya Vatti was his first wife whom he married in 1940 and from whom he had three children. In 1961, he married Salma Siddiqui, daughter of Prof Rasheed Ahmed Siddiqui, and the couple remained together till the death of Chandr.

Salma Siddiqui still lives in a flat in Delhi.

Chandr also wrote dialogues for films and earned a handsome amount of money in the 1940s but when he ventured to filmmaking, he almost lost all of his wealth. Chandr had a tender heart and his home in Bombay was the hub of writers and poets.

Numerous poets used his house as a permanent abode in Bombay. A generous man, Chandr happily accommodated various poets and writers who later on rose to fame.

IFTIKHAR MIRZA Islamabad