NAGPUR: The city's literary world and cultural connoisseurs were shocked by the death of veteran Hindi poet, litterateur and master of humorous satire
Madhup Pandey
at his Nagpur residence on Thursday. He was 82.
Poets' community and beyond showered heartfelt tributes to Pandey who left an indelible imprint with his prowess in poetry and stage artistry.
Pandey taught commerce at a local college. Among his students, Union minister of road transport and highways
Nitin Gadkari
, paid him rich tributes on the social media. "The news of the demise of Nagpur's famous litterateur Madhup Pandey sir is sad. My heartfelt tributes to him. Pandey Sir created a huge fan base through his presentations, by participating in poetry seminars in the country and abroad. His literature was honoured with many awards," Gadkari said.
Dr Sagar Khadiwala, a literature enthusiast and one of Pandey's close friends, lamented the huge void caused by the latter's death in the world of poetry, particularly Hindi poetry conferences. "Madhupji is considered the father of poetry conferences in Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra. He was a man who donned myriad feathers on his much-decorated hat," Khadiwala remarked.
A wordsmith to the core, Pandey's contribution was not limited to his academic and organizational pursuits. He held the extraordinary record of writing a satirical poem every Sunday for more than 40 years in his famous column 'Madhupji Ka Kona' in a Hindi daily. His last poem was published on December 10, showcasing his dedication to his craft.
Pandey had also compered over 10,000 poetry summits for over six decades, demonstrating his unparalleled commitment to the world of poetry and the spoken word.
Well-known poet Praveen Shukla remembered Pandey's unique style of compering, which combined poetry and humour to make Kavi Sammelans even more engaging. Another celebrated poet, Shailesh Lodha said, "Madhupji is also known for being well-organized. He used to write down every task and do it on time."
Pandey’s influence went beyond the literary domain, as he played a crucial role in the global promotion of Hindi. As co-convenor of the First World Hindi Conference and an honoured member of the Government of India’s delegation at the Fourth World Hindi Conference in Mauritius, he showcased his commitment to fostering global dialogue in the national language. Throughout his career, Pandey received numerous prestigious awards, a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication to the craft of writing. His legacy will undoubtedly endure, with his impact felt not only in the literary world but also in the hearts whom he reached out to with his unique contributions.
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