Doyen of Hindi poetry Gopal Das Neeraj dies at 93

New Delhi, July 19

Doyen of Hindi poetry Gopal Das Neeraj passed away on Thursday evening at the AIIMS trauma centre here. He was 93.

A Padma Bhushan awardee, Neeraj had suffered a head injury following a fall at his house in Agra and was undergoing treatment at a hospital there, Dr Rajesh Malhotra, chief of the AIIMS trauma centre, said.

“He was shifted to the trauma centre here last night in a critical condition. He had kidney failure, infection all over his body and head injury. He passed away today at around 7.30 pm,” he said.

Neeraj’s family was by his side during his last hours.

The poet had also written songs for Bollywood films. Neeraj had penned several hits such as 'Ae Bhai Zara Dekh Ke Chalo', 'Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya', 'Dil Aaj Shayar Hai', 'Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe, among others.

He was awarded Padma Shri in 1991 and Padma Bhushan in 2007. — PTI