Draft:S. M. Mehdi
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| Submission declined on 18 July 2025 by RangersRus (talk). This submission's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article—that is, they do not show significant coverage (not just passing mentions) about the subject in published, reliable, secondary sources that are independent of the subject (see the guidelines on the notability of people). Before any resubmission, additional references meeting these criteria should be added (see technical help and learn about mistakes to avoid when addressing this issue). If no additional references exist, the subject is not suitable for Wikipedia.
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Comment: Note to reviewers: I accepted this a while ago under the proviso it just about squeaked GNG. A NPP bounced it back to Draftspace. qcne (talk) 07:30, 18 July 2025 (UTC)
 | This is a draft article. It is a work in progress open to editing by anyone. Please ensure core content policies are met before publishing it as a live Wikipedia article. Find sources: Google (books · news · scholar · free images · WP refs) · FENS · JSTOR · TWL Last edited by 59.91.222.49 (talk | contribs) 8 days ago. (Update)
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S.M. Mehdi (c. 1921 – January 2015) was an Indian Urdu playwright, journalist, Marxist thinker, and cultural commentator. Known for his experimental theatre and politically engaged writing, Mehdi was a significant figure in post-independence progressive Urdu literature. His works reflect themes of identity, social justice, and literary history, often blending Brechtian technique with classical Indo-Islamic storytelling traditions.
Early life
[edit]Born in Barabanki zamindar (landlord) family, Mehdi completed his early education in Mustafabad, Bhopal. Mehdi was a student leader in Kanpur and Lucknow and actively involved with the Communist party.[1] He later studied law and political science in Lucknow, where he became involved in student activism and aligned with leftist and communist ideologies.[2][3]
He worked with the Urdu cell of the Communist party in Mumbai alongside Sajjad Zaheer,[1] and was for his belief in the "fellowship of man".[4][5]
Mehdi also worked for two decades as Urdu correspondent for the Soviet Embassy in Delhi from the1960s until 1990 [6]
Literary and artistic contributions
[edit]Mehdi wrote numerous plays and translated dramas into Urdu.[1] He was a prolific writer for television, including shows focusing on India's composite culture.[1][7] Mehdi was also a scholar of the Urdu poets Ghalib and Iqbal.[1][5] He was later associated with the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA).[5] [8] [9]
Mehdi's work drew inspiration from various traditions, including Brechtian theatre and the oral narrative styles of Tulsidas and Mir Babar Ali Anis.[5][10] [11]
Mehdi was a contemporary of the poet Kaifi Azmi,[4] and is mentioned in relation to his grandchildren who shared memories of him and his home.[12]
Later life
[edit]Mehdi passed away in Aligarh in January 2015 at the age of 94 in his sleep.[1] His work, including his plays, translations, and writings, remains largely uncollected.[5][13] [14]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f "SM Mehdi on Kaifi Azmi". 23 July 2016.
- ^ "Hindi Writer S M Mehdi Biography, News, Photos, Videos". nettv4u.
- ^ "The last of his generation | Art & Culture | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk.
- ^ a b "SM Mehdi: A Life Less Ordinary – Jawed Naqvi". 7 January 2015.
- ^ a b c d e "THE LAST OF HIS GENERATION: S.M. MEHDI : INSAF".
- ^ https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/bitstreams/44d1807c-b3c7-461b-9d62-d06ee4288564/download
- ^ "Theatre in Delhi touches all time low in creativity". India Today. 10 June 2014.
- ^ https://www.theweek.in/leisure/society/2018/02/21/a-night-at-the-opera.html
- ^ https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/story/19771015-theatre-in-delhi-touches-all-time-low-in-creativity-823893-2014-06-10
- ^ "SM Mehdi - on his own life". 15 January 2015 – via YouTube.
- ^ https://nettv4u.com/celebrity/hindi/writer/s-m-mehdi
- ^ "TARAN ON HER GRANDFATHER, S.M. MEHDI : INSAF".
- ^ "All writings of Syed Mohammad Mehdi". Rekhta.
- ^ https://www.rekhta.org/authors/syed-mohammad-mehdi/ebooks
External links
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