Yadgir | Asim Rasool : Anjuman Muhibban-e-Urdu Yadgir paid rich tributes to famous poet, Padmashri & Yash Bhartee awardee Muhammad Shafi Ali Khan, Former RajyaSabha Member of Parliament, popularly known as Bekal Utsahi, on his 5th Death anniversary.

“In 2011, I got an opportunity to meet and share stage Bekal Utsahi Ji in National Integration Mushaira organised by Anjuman Muhibban-e-Urdu (A.P) at Public Garden, Nampally in Hyderabad. Mr Utsahi said that young writers should be encouraged.” said Dr Rafeeq saudagar. President of Anjuman Muhibban-e-Urdu Yadgir, While speaking to DeccanDigest.

Utsahi was born on 1 June 1928 in Uttar Pradesh’s Balrampur (formerly Gonda) district. His father was Lodhi Mohammad Zafar Khan. Utsahi’s family named him Mohammad Shafi Khan.

He changed his name to ‘Bekal Varsi’ in 1945 after a visit to the mazaar of Hazrat Vaaris Ali Shah of Devan Sharif, at which time Shah Hafiz Pyari Miyan said: “Bedam gaya, Bekal aaya (Bedam went, Bekal came). During an election meeting in 1952, Jawaharlal Nehru was impressed with Bekal’s poetry, and said: “Yeh humara utsahi shayar hai (He is our enthusiastic poet).” This added the sobriquet ‘Utsahi’ to the poet’s name.

Utsahi was known for his poetry in Awadhi. He also hosted several programmes for Doordarshan, including ‘Bazm‘, a show dedicated to Urdu poetry. Utsahi participated in several poetry symposiums across the globe.

Utsahi served as chairman of several educational and literary institutions. He was a poet who worked for national integrion and communal harmony and education of rural women and adults. He also served as secretary of the national writer’s form. Bekal Utsahi was awarded by Padma Shri in 1976 for his contribution to the literature.

Utsahi was actively involved with Indian National Congress and very close to Indira Gandhi. Rajiv Gandhi nominated him as a Member of Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament, because of his contribution for national integration. He was also Member of National Integration Council chaired by Prime Minister of India. He served as a member of Parliament in Rajyasabha the Upper house of the Indian Parliament (from July 1986 – July 1992).

Utsahi received the Padma Shri award in 1976. He received Yash Bharti Award from Uttar Pradesh Government. In 2013 he was awarded Maati Ratan Samman by Shaheed Shodha Sansthan for his services to Urdu literature.