Naresh Kumar Shad

Biography

Naresh Kumar Shad was a gifted poet of mid-20th century Urdu whose short life left behind a remarkable impression. Born in Punjab in 1927, he developed a love for poetry early, inspired by the cultural richness of North India. He was part of a new generation of poets who came of age after Independence, carrying both the legacy of the past and the anxieties of a changing world.

Shad specialized in the ghazal, where his command of meter and imagery drew admiration from both audiences and senior poets. His couplets often carried the delicate beauty of classical Urdu but also showed hints of modernist sensitivity. He wrote of love and longing but also expressed the struggles of existence in a rapidly shifting society.

He worked as a broadcaster with All India Radio, which gave him a platform to reach wider audiences. His voice, both as a poet and a presenter, was well known in literary gatherings and mushairas across northern India.

Though his life was tragically short—he passed away in Delhi in 1969 at just 41—he left behind collections of ghazals that continue to be cherished. His poetry is remembered for its elegance, sincerity, and promise of what might have been had he lived longer.

Naresh Kumar Shad remains a symbol of youthful brilliance in Urdu poetry, a reminder of the fragility of talent but also its ability to outlive time.