Draft:S. M. Mehdi

  • 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)


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

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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

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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

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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

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "SM Mehdi on Kaifi Azmi". 23 July 2016.
  2. ^ "Hindi Writer S M Mehdi Biography, News, Photos, Videos". nettv4u.
  3. ^ "The last of his generation | Art & Culture | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk.
  4. ^ a b "SM Mehdi: A Life Less Ordinary – Jawed Naqvi". 7 January 2015.
  5. ^ a b c d e "THE LAST OF HIS GENERATION: S.M. MEHDI : INSAF".
  6. ^ https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/bitstreams/44d1807c-b3c7-461b-9d62-d06ee4288564/download
  7. ^ "Theatre in Delhi touches all time low in creativity". India Today. 10 June 2014.
  8. ^ https://www.theweek.in/leisure/society/2018/02/21/a-night-at-the-opera.html
  9. ^ https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/story/19771015-theatre-in-delhi-touches-all-time-low-in-creativity-823893-2014-06-10
  10. ^ "SM Mehdi - on his own life". 15 January 2015 – via YouTube.
  11. ^ https://nettv4u.com/celebrity/hindi/writer/s-m-mehdi
  12. ^ "TARAN ON HER GRANDFATHER, S.M. MEHDI : INSAF".
  13. ^ "All writings of Syed Mohammad Mehdi". Rekhta.
  14. ^ https://www.rekhta.org/authors/syed-mohammad-mehdi/ebooks
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