Hamidi Kashmiri

H. U. Hamidi (1932 – 26 December 2018), commonly known as Hamidi Kashmiri, was an Indian poet, literary critic, and educationist, primarily known for his works in Urdu and Kashmiri literature. Over the course of his career, he authored nearly fifty books on poetry, criticism, and literary theory. He served as the 13th vice-chancellor of the University of Kashmir from 1990 to 1993.

Early life and education Kashmiri was born in 1932 in Bohri Kadal, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, British India. He obtained his higher education in Urdu literature, eventually completing a PhD on the influence of European thought on modern Urdu poetry.

He was also associated with literary institutions and journals, serving as editor of Sheeraza, a publication of the Jammu and Kashmir Cultural Academy. After retirement, he founded and edited the literary magazine Jahaad, which published works by both local and national writers.

Writings Poetry and fiction Kashmiri began his literary journey writing short stories, with his early fiction appearing in Urdu journals such as Beeswein Sadi. He later shifted focus to poetry and literary criticism, becoming one of the prominent modernist writers in Urdu literature. Criticism His critical works engaged with both classical and modern Urdu poetry. Kashmiri wrote on poets such as Mir Taqi Mir, Allama Iqbal, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, and Mirza Ghalib. His PhD research suggested the impact of European aesthetics on Urdu poetic traditions.

He authored nearly 50 books, including Iqtishafi Tanqeed Ki Sheryat (The Charade of Exploratory Criticism), Ainame Ibraaq (The Mirror of Lightning), Mahasir Tanqeed (Siege of Criticism), Riyasati Jammu Aur Kashmir Urdu Adab (State Jammu and Kashmir Urdu Literature), Jadeed Kashir Shayeri (Modern Kashmiri Poetry), Sheikh-ul-Aalam Aur Shayeri (Nund Rishi and Poetry), and Iqbal and Ghalib.

Awards For his contributions to literature and education, he was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2005 for his contributions to the Urdu literature and the Padma Shri in 2010 for his contributions to the education. He also became the recipient of Ghalib Award.