Ahmad Wasi

Ahmad Wasi was born on 8 October 1943 in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh. He pursued his studies at Lucknow University where he completed his higher education and later studied law. Alongside academics, he developed a deep interest in Urdu poetry which would shape his career.

In 1963 he joined Vividh Bharati as a radio announcer. His program Hello Farmaish became popular and his warm voice made him a familiar presence in many homes. At the same time, he began writing ghazals and nazms that were published in Urdu magazines. His poetry soon reached a wider audience when his ghazals were recorded by artists under the HMV label. One of his famous lines, shaakh se toot ke girne ki sazaa do mujhko, ek patta hi to hoon kyon na hawa do mujhko, brought him recognition for his simple yet powerful style.

His growing reputation as a poet led him to write for Hindi cinema. He made his debut as a film lyricist in 1974 with the song Aa Ke Dard Jawaan Hai sung by Asha Bhosle. He later wrote for films such as Heera Moti, Kanoon Aur Mujrim and Vali-E-Azam. His lyrics combined poetic charm with the demands of film music, giving him a unique place among poet-lyricists of his time.

Ahmad Wasi’s literary career is equally rich. His poetry collection Behta Paani was recognized by the Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy in 1983. He went on to publish Baadalon ke Shehar, Jugnu Mere Saath Saath, Titliyan for children, and Tahreeren which collected his articles and scripts. These works reflect his versatility and commitment to keeping Urdu poetry accessible to all generations.

Along with his writing, Ahmad Wasi conducted workshops on ghazal writing and remained deeply connected with broadcasting. His radio background gave him a distinctive ability to reach audiences, making his poetry feel intimate and immediate.

Today he is remembered as a poet and lyricist whose voice bridged the worlds of Urdu literature, mass media and film. His legacy continues through his poems, songs and the inspiration he has given to younger poets and listeners alike.