Ali Mohammad Shahbaz, (Urdu: علی محمّد شہباز) (born Ali Mohammad Qureshi, 1939 – 1996) known by his pen name Shahbaz was a Kashmiri revolutionary poet, satirist, humanist, philanthropist, calligrapher, and teacher. His literary work pictured and voiced the agony of Kashmir conflict.[1]
Ali Mohammad Qureshi Shahbaz | |
|---|---|
| Native name | علی محمّد شہباز |
| Born | (1939-05-01)1 May 1939 Hangah, Handwara, J&K |
| Died | 4 July 1996(1996-07-04) (aged 57) Hangah, Handwara, J&K |
| Occupation | Poet, Writer, Teacher |
| Language | Kashmiri |
| Education | Master's Degree |
| Literary movement | Kashmir Conflict |
One of his famous poem is:
Poosh mati dilbar mea traevith kot gasakh
پوش متہِ دِلبر مےٚ ترٛٲوِتھ کۆت گسٲکھ
Yeth dilas armaan thaveth kout gasakh.
یتھ دِلس ارمان تھٲوِتھ کۆت گسٲکھ
Translation:
Oh my adoring muse hold on!
Arousing the desires of my heart
Where would you go on.
The above Poem is written by the Poet in memory of his friend who had been martyred by Indian forces.
Born on 1 May 1939 at his ancestral resident Mawer (Langate), a village in Handwara town of North Kashmir's Kupwara district.[citation needed] He had his primary school education from Islamia Model School, Qalamabad and completed high school at Handwara. He has done masters in the Kashmiri language.[2]
Shahbaz was a teacher by profession and was appointed as the Principal of Govt. Higher Secondary School Handwara until his death. His father, Gh Mohammad Quershi was a cleric, who died when Shahbaz was in teens. Shahbaz turned to poetry at a very tender age. He was tremendously influenced by his teacher Shahlal Bahar. Bahar was the Vice President of Adbee Markaz Kamraz, member cultural academy Srinagar and Sahitiyah Academy, New Delhi.[3]
Well known Kashmiri singers have sung most of Shahbaz's gazals and one of the most famous among them, the one that is broadcast on Radio Kashmir almost every morning:
Posh-i-Mateo Ninder Payyim Chaen Gazal Gewaan Gewaan
Chum Ne Wathaan Ye Bowe Lekhaan Meeli Qalam Riwaan Riwaan.
His poetry have been sung at national level by singer Noor Mohammad titled "Janaan" (11 November 2020) and "Baliye" (9 April 2021) which have been released by Zee Music Company at the Online Video Platform YouTube.[4]
Shahbaz was shot dead by an unidentified gunmen on 4 July 1996 at his native village Shathgund Langate.[citation needed] He was paid tribute by Hisbul Mujahideen quoting that He has been killed in custody.[5]