Strong and Contented

By M. Hyderi - Greater Kashmir - Srinagar, India
Saturday, December 2, 2007

After battling with a life consuming disease, Muhammad Abdullah Dev (77) the educationist andSufi poet of standing, breathed his last around 1.50 am Sunday.

Dev Sahib, as he was fondly called, is survived by six sons, two daughters and several grandchildren.

As soon as the news of his death spread, people cutting across party affiliations and ideologies made a beeline to Dev's residence in the Hyderpora suburb.

He retired as Chief Education Officer, Varmul in early eighties. During his active service he was honoured with a Gold Medal in recognition to his meritorious services. After retirement, for some years he did social work by looking after the affairs of Tabligh-ul-Islam, a chain of schools.

During his last interview with Greater Kashmir, he had revealed that he started writing poetry at the tender age of 20. However, till his retirement from government service none of his poetic contributions was made public. Neither all his life he ever attended any traditional Mushaira*.

Dev Sahib who had chosen Nadeem, meaning companion as his pen name, mostly wrote poems in praise of Prophet Muhammad (saw).

Allama Iqbal (ra), many Kashmiri Sufi poets like Shamus Faqir, Ahmad Dar, Ghulam Qadir Bhat and his own uncle Abdul Kabir Dev influenced his poetic and spiritual pursuits.

His only published work is Soz-e-Dil (Fire of Heart) spread over two volumes.

Daughter Shamima, wife of Azad, sang some of his popular poetic compositions.

He was considered the pioneering poet who transpired his view on Kashmir turmoil in poetry. Some such lyrics became a big hit in Shamima's music albums sold in the state and abroad.

However, a lot of his poetic composition remained unpublished and now efforts are on to compile the same for publication.

His spiritual accomplishments had made him strong and contented. To his visitors in the SKIMS as also at home, he appeared waiting for the hour of union with his Creator.

Today a large number of people including politicians, ministers, bureaucrats, Police Officers, educationists, poets, Media persons and social activists attended the funeral.

The mortal remains of Dev Sahib were laid to rest at Magarmal Bagh graveyard.

* traditional gathering of poets http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mushaira