Noted Urdu poet and lyricist Rahat Indori, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, died of a heart attack at a hospital in Indore in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore.
The 70-year-old was undergoing treatment at Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences in Indore. “He (Rahat Indori) suffered two heart attacks today and could not be saved… He had 60% pneumonia,” Dr Vinod Bhandari was quoted as saying by ANI.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed grief over the passing of “Indori Sahab” with a couplet. Historian and author Rana Safvi termed the poet’s demise a “huge huge loss to a fearless voice and to the world of poetry”.
The veteran poet, who was quite active on social media, earlier today took to Twitter to announce that he has tested for the virus.
“After showing initial COVID-19 symptoms, I underwent the COVID-19 test on Monday and tested positive for the virus today. I have been admitted to Aurobindo hospital,” Indori had written on Twitter this afternoon.
Poet had asked his followers to wish him speedy recovery
In his tweet, the noted poet had also asked his followers to wish him a speedy recovery, and requested them to not call his family to enquire about his well-being. Indori further said that he will keep them updated about his health through Twitter and Facebook.
Soon after he posted the tweet, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had wished Indori a speedy recovery.
The chest department head of the hospital Dr Ravi Dosi had earlier today said that Indori had pneumonia, PTI reported.
Earlier today, Indori’s son Stalaj had said that his father is suffering from chronic ailments like heart disease and diabetes.
Indori had composed lyrics for some popular Bollywood songs like “M Bole toh” from Munnabhai MBBS (2003), Chori Chori Jab Nazrein Mili from Kareeb (1998), Koi jaye to le aye from Ghatak (1996), and “Neend Churai Meri” from Ishq (1997). His lyrics were used in 11 Bollywood films.
Earlier this year, his poem “bulati hai magar jane ka nahi” had gone viral on social media.