Wahid Premi

Wahid Premi, whose real name was Abdul Wahid, was born on 4 June 1938 in Bhopal, a city long known for its rich Urdu literary and cultural heritage. Growing up in this environment, he developed an early love for poetry and adopted the pen name “Premi,” under which he would become known among Urdu poetry readers.

He wrote primarily ghazals and shers (couplets), creating a body of work marked by delicacy of expression and emotional depth. His poems often revolve around themes of love, longing, separation, reflection and the passage of time. His style shows respect for the classical traditions of Urdu poetry while retaining a personal voice that makes his work accessible and heartfelt.

Among his published works are Majmua-e-Ghazaliyat (1967), Gul-e-Nau (1967) and Fikr-e-Nau (1984). These collections reveal his consistent engagement with traditional forms over the decades, as well as his ability to keep his ghazals fresh and resonant. In total, records of his poetry show dozens of ghazals and many individual couplets. Through these pieces he became appreciated in literary circles, especially in Madhya Pradesh, as a poet who upheld lyrical grace and emotional sincerity.

Wahid Premi also passed on his love of poetry within his family; his son Sajid Premi is listed among his relatives and has also written poetry. This connection shows how the art form continued beyond his own career.

He died on 20 October 1993. Though not among the most famous names of Urdu poetry, Wahid Premi holds a place as a sincere craftsman whose work reflects the enduring appeal of the ghazal. His verses remain in circulation through recitations and anthologies, appreciated by readers who seek a softer, more reflective tone in Urdu poetry. His life and writing embody the quiet dedication of many poets who keep classical forms alive while expressing their own emotional worlds.