Noted Poet Nida Fazli Dead, Condolences Pour In

Mumbai, Feb 8 (IANS) Condolences poured in for noted Hindi and Urdu poet Nida Fazli, who died here on Monday. He was in his late 70s.

Fazli's daughter confirmed the poet's demise, a member of the organising team of upcoming Urdu festival Jashn-e-Rekhta told IANS. Fazli was a key guest at the festival.

Sanjiv Saraf, the founder of Rekhta Foundation, said that Fazli's death has "left a space that can never be filled".

"Nida Fazli gave expression to the angst of the common people in simple but aesthetically powerful and nuanced language. His dohas enjoyed great popularity," Saraf said.

Filmmaker John Mathew Matthan, who directed "Sarfarosh" -- the movie which featured "Hoshwalon ko khabar kya" penned by Fazli, told IANS: "It's a great loss for this film industry. He was such a renowned poet. Coincidentally, today is also Jagjit Singh's birth anniversary and I have worked with both of them in my film 'Sarfarosh'."

Fazli and Jagit Singh also collaborated on the 1994 album named "Insight".

On Twitter, a string of film celebrities condoled Fazli's death and recounted some of his works. Here's what they said:

Lata Mangeshkar: Aaj mashhoor Shayar Nida Fazli sahab ka inteqal hua is baat mujhe bahut dukh hai. Allah unhe jannat ataa farmaaye ye meri dili dua.

Vishal Dadlani: Heartbroken to hear of the demise of Nida Fazli-saab. Not just a brilliant lyricist, he was a true poet, with a brave social voice. RIP.

Madhur Bhandarkar: Kabhi kisi ko mukammal jaha nahi milta... Saddened by the demise of legendry Urdu poet and lyricist Nida Fazli. May his Soul RIP.

Mahesh Bhatt: Ghar se masjid hai bahut dur chalo yu kar le, Kisee rote huye bachche ko hansaaya jaaye...Nida Fazli Saab Khuda Hafiz!!!

Goldie Behl: Sadden to hear that one my favourite poets and the very first lyricist I ever worked with Nida Fazli is no more. RIP.

Niladri Kumar: Nida Fazli Saab passing on the birthday of Jagjit Singh probably means that god asked for a special mehfil up there. RIP.

Roshan Abbas: Ghar se masjid hai bahut door chalo yun kar lein, kisi rote huye bacche ko hasaya jaye : Nida Fazli how well he writes

Hansal Mehta: Ghar se masjid hai bahut door, chalon yun karle...kisi rote hue bachche ko hansaaya jaaye... Nida Fazli