Lyricist Ibrahim Ashk, known for penning songs for films like Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai and Koi… Mil Gaya died on Sunday due to Covid-19 pneumonia. He was 70.
The lyricist was admitted to Mumbai’s Meditech Hospital on Saturday after he complained of breathlessness, his daughter Musaffa told PTI.
“He was admitted to the hospital on Saturday after he became very ill. There, he was diagnosed with Covid-19. He had Covid pneumonia, which the doctors told us affected his lungs, and he had breathing difficulties. He passed away today (Sunday) around 4 pm,” she said, adding that his funeral would be held on Monday morning.
Actor Hrithik Roshan, who starred in the film Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai, took to Twitter and posted his condolences. He wrote, “Thank you for touching my life with your beautiful words, Ibrahim Ashk sir.”
Ashk, an Urdu poet, has penned several popular Hindi songs like Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai, Na Tum Jano Na Hum, Koi Mil Gaya, Idhar Chala Mein Udhar Chala, and Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage, among others.
Born in Madhya Pradesh, he did his post-graduation in Hindi Literature in 1974 from Indore University. Besides being a poet, Ashk also chose a career in journalism. As a journalist, Ashk worked for four years with the Daily Indore Samachar, six with Shama and Shushma magazines, and two with Sarita, a Hindi monthly magazine.
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Journalist Shams Ur Rehman Alavi took to Twitter and remembered the writing of the lyricist. Along with an image of Ashk and a verse in his handwriting, Alavi wrote, “Got news that Urdu poet Ibrahim Ashk is no more. His couplet, in his handwriting: sitam ke haath mein talwaar ka zamaana hai yahi to jurat-e-izhaar ka zamaana hai [Tyranny has come armed with sword, so time to show courage in words].” He added that Ashk hailed from Badnagar in Ujjain, MP.
The poet is survived by his wife and three daughters.