Ali Mohmmad Shahbaz

Ali Mohammad Shahbaz, (born Ali Mohammad Qureshi, 1939 – 1996) known by his pen name Shahbaz, was a Kashmiri-language revolutionary poet, satirist, humanist, philanthropist, calligrapher, and teacher. His literary work revolved around the conflict in Kashmir.

Early life

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.

Personal life

Shahbaz was a teacher by profession and was appointed as the Principal of Government Boys 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 Sahitya Academy, New Delhi.

His poetry in music field

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: