Asim Randeri, born Subedar Mahmood Mian Muhammad Imam (15 August 1904 – 5 February 2009), was a Gujarati language poet, mainly popular for his ghazals. He was a legend in Gujarati literature from the pre-independence era and recipient of the Vali Gujarati Award and Kalapi Award of 2005.

Asim Randeri
BornSubedar Mahmood Mian Muhammad Imam
(1904-08-15)15 August 1904
Rander, Surat, Gujarat, India
Died6 February 2009(2009-02-06) (aged 104)
Rander, Surat, Gujarat, India
Pen nameAsim Randeri
OccupationPoet, ghazal writer
NationalityIndian
Notable awards

Early life edit

Asim Randeri was born on 15 August 1904 in Rander area of Surat, Gujarat, India. He was born in an affluent family and studied till matric before working for a British company.

Career edit

Asim Randeri started writing at the age of 18.[1] He was working between 1928 and 1932 with the Kenya Daily Mail in East Africa. After 1932 he started working as a salesman with the Swedish Match Company in Bombay.[2]

Works edit

Randeri's works like Leela,[3] Shanagar, Tapi Tirey and Gulchhadi with their bold style revolutionized Gujarati ghazal writing. Leela, a fictitious character created by Randeri, was a hit among youth. His love for this character continued and lived in the form of a magazine with the same title for six years. Tapi Tirey is a collection of Gujarati ghazals on love blossoming on the banks of the river Tapi, considered to be the lifeline of Surat, which had become hub of Gujarati ghazal in the 1920s.
Manhar Udhas, famous Gujarati Ghazal singer made many of Asim's ghazals famous in early 2000s.

Personal life edit

Asim Randeri died of old age at an age of 104 years. He died in his hometown, Rander, and was buried at the Goregarima graveyard.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ PTI (6 February 2009). "Gujarat Gazal Poet Asim Randeri Dies". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 26 June 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  2. ^ "Great Gujarati Gazal Poets: Asim Randeri". 13 March 2009. Archived from the original on 6 October 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  3. ^ "Leela by Asim Randeri". Archived from the original on 24 April 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2016.