Shad

Naresh Kumar Shaad was a distinguished Urdu poet born in 1927 in Yahyapur in the Hoshiarpur district of Punjab. His father, Dard Nikodari, was also a poet, so Shaad grew up in a literary environment. He studied at Government High School in Chunian, Lahore, and passed his matriculation with first division. In his early career he held government jobs in places such as Rawalpindi and Jalandhar, but later left service to devote himself to literature.

After Partition he became active in literary journalism. He edited several Urdu journals, including Chandan in Kanpur along with Hafeez Hoshiarpuri, and later Raahi and Nuqoosh in Delhi. His editorial work gave him a strong presence in Urdu literary circles.

Shaad’s poetry collections include Dastak, Qashen, Lalkaarr, Aahatein, Faryaad, Aayaat-e Junoon, Mera Muntakhab Kalam and Wijdaan. He also wrote prose essays, children’s literature, translations, critical works and edited volumes. His writing is praised for its emotional depth and formal elegance, especially in the genres of Qat’aa and Rubai. His poems express inner turbulence, longing and reflection while maintaining lyrical strength and disciplined language.

Despite his literary achievements he faced personal struggles, including issues with alcohol, and his life ended tragically in May 1969 when he was found dead on the banks of the river Yamuna in Delhi.

Naresh Kumar Shaad’s legacy lives on among Urdu poetry lovers. His works continue to be read, recited and included in anthologies, appreciated for their musicality, poignancy and expressive power.