Raipur, June 26
Noted Hindi humourist and satirist Surendra Dubey, widely admired for his wit-laced verse and distinctive literary voice, passed away on Thursday in Chhattisgarh's Raipur following a heart attack.
The 71-year-old poet, recipient of the Padma Shri award, breathed his last at the Advanced Cardiac Institute, where he was undergoing treatment.
With his passing, Chhattisgarh lost a mind whose poetry brought laughter and reflection in equal measure. A wave of grief swept through literary circles and admirers.
Born on January 8, 1953, in Bemetara, Chhattisgarh, Dubey was not only a well-known poet but also an Ayurvedic doctor.
His contribution to Hindi satire found audiences not just across India but on international stages as well, with poetic recitations held in over a dozen cities in the US.
He authored five acclaimed books and was a familiar voice on television poetry forums.
In recognition of his literary brilliance, the Government of India conferred upon him the Padma Shri in 2010. He was also honoured with the Chhattisgarh Ratna by the North America Chhattisgarh Association in Chicago.
Dubey's work resonated with profound insight masked in levity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he penned a widely shared poem aimed at lifting public morale.
One memorable line encouraged readers to "laugh even at worn-out jokes... laugh and make antibodies," capturing the resilience of humour during adversity.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Such a tragic loss for Hindi literature! Dubey ji had the rare gift of making us laugh while making us think deeply. His COVID poem was shared in every family WhatsApp group I know - that's the kind of impact he had. ðŸ™
As someone from Chhattisgarh, I feel immense pride that our soil produced such a brilliant mind. His poetry about rural life in our state was both hilarious and poignant. The way he balanced being a doctor and poet is truly inspiring!
While Dubey ji's passing is sad, I wish more coverage was given to his literary works rather than just awards. His book "Hasate Hasate" changed how I view satire - it's not just jokes but social commentary. More young Indians should read him.
Om Shanti 🙠His poem about lockdown life - "Zoom pe milo, ghar pe raho" - was pure genius! Showed how poetry can capture modern struggles with traditional wit. Hope Chhattisgarh government establishes a literary award in his name.
Dubey sir was the Shakespeare of satire! His ability to poke fun at politicians without being crude was masterful. Sad that we don't have enough poets like him today who can make serious points through laughter. #Legend
As an Ayurvedic doctor myself, I'm amazed how he balanced two such different professions. His medical background probably gave him that deep understanding of human nature that shone through his poetry. A true renaissance man!
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