Karwan guzar gaya... Doyen of Hindi poetry Gopal Das Neeraj no more, worlds of film and music shocked

Ab toh mazhab koi aisa bhi chalaya jaaye / Jisme insaan ko insaan banaya jaaye...

Aag behti hai yahan, Ganga mein bhi Zamzam mein bhi / Koi batlaaye kahan jaa ke nahaya jaaya / Ab toh mazhab koi aisa bhi chalaya jaaye...

Though he wrote this poem decades ago, such was the sharpness of his writing that Gopal Das Saxena known better by the pen name 'Neeraj', could have well written this about the fractured and polarised times we live in.

The poet who has also given us some of our most iconic Hindi film songs as lyricist passed away following complications after a fall left him with a head wound for which he was being treated at Delhi's AIIMS. His son Milind Prabhat has said that his nonagenarian father was shifted to the trauma care on Thurday afternoon after he suffered kidney failure and infection. “By 7.25 pm we were told he had breathed his last.”

There has been an outpouring of sorrow over this massive blow to the world of Hindi literature from all quarters. Bharat Ratna nightingale Lata Mangeshkar who has sung several songs (including Rangeela Re, Khilte Hain Gul Yahaan, Shokhiyon Mein Ghola Jaaye, Apne Hothon Ki Bansi Bana Le Mujhe) penned by the lyricist has said: “I'm quite pained to hear of the demise of Neerajji. I feel fortunate I was able to sing so many of his songs which are well recieved even today by listeners. I offer my shraddhanjali and pray that his soul rests in peace.”

Well known poet-lyricist Javed Akhtar Neeraj as a poet was symbol of the Ganga-Jamni tehzeeb of India. “He was both a shaayar of Hindi and a kavi of Urdu and in that sense a true legatee of the Ganga-Jamni tehzeeb of this land. In a field where you are only as good as your last composition, it is really not easy for someone to rule the hearts of millions for over seventy years. His contribution and his works are immortal and can never be forgotten,” he said and added, “And the single biggest thing about his poetry was accessibility. You don't need to be a great literature buff to get his words. They are so simple and in the language of the common man. But they never fail to make their mark on the heart.”

Leading ghazal exponent Pankaj Udhas used the late poet-lyricist's lines to express his sadness over his passing away: “Karvaan guzar gaya... Ghubar dekhte rahe” Speaking of his sadness to learn of the legendary poet's demise he said: “His unique style of writing will always be missed apart from his literary work he wrote some outstanding songs for Hindi films a big loss to the Hindi literary world and Hindi cinema.”

Leading classical vocalist Shubha Mudgal too expressed deep greif and reret at the poet's passing away. "Neeraj ji leaves behind an India that is consumed by rivers aflame with the fires of violence and hatred (Aag behati hai yahaan Ganga mein bhi, Jhelum mein bhi), where the "mazhab" or religion of humanity that he wrote about so powerfully (Ab toh mazhab koyi aisa bhi banaya jaaye) seems a distant if not impossible dream. His fearless writing will continue to light up to some extent the time we live in, darkened as it is by such intense barbarism, violence and divisiveness," she said.

President Ram Nath Kovind took to twitter to say:“Sad to hear of the passing of veteran poet and lyricist Gopal Das Neeraj. From “Prem Pujari” to “Cha Cha Cha” his compositions and film songs are still remembered, still heard and still stir the soul.” PM Narendra Modi also condoled the passing away of he poet on twitter with: “Saddened by the demise of noted poet and lyricist Shri Gopaldas ‘Neeraj.’ Shri Neeraj's unique style connected him with people from all walks of life, across generations. His works are unforgettable gems, which will live on and inspire many.”