Dard-e-PinhaaN ( The Hidden Pain), a Poetry Collection by Prof. Naqi Akhter, Has Been Published

 

Dard-e-PinhaaN is an anthology of Professor Naqi Akhter’s deeply reflective Urdu poetry. It serves as an eloquent sanctuary for the emotions we so often leave unspoken—loss, love, yearning, silence, and a quiet, dignified resilience. Beyond the verse, the manuscript features photographs and intimate narratives from Prof. Naqi’s family and friends, offering a rare glimpse into his life and the profound respect he commanded.
The collection is available at Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8TPT2RC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3219R8OUSU3HE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.
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While rooted in his own lived experiences, Prof. Naqi Akhter’s poetry possesses a universal resonance, exploring the human heart with exquisite sensitivity. Each verse invites the reader to pause, breathe, and discover their own hidden emotions mirrored in the poet's ink. This collection is curated for the discerning reader—those who seek poetry that lingers quietly in the soul long after the final page is turned. To welcome a broader audience, the anthology is presented in three scripts: the original Urdu, Latin (Roman Urdu), and Devanagari (Hindi). Furthermore, each couplet is accompanied by an English translation of its essence, inviting readers to appreciate the subtle nuances of Prof Naqi’s creative genius.
Prof Naqi Akhter (November 1939 – March 2020) belonged to an illustrious lineage that nourished some of the subcontinent's finest minds. He spent his early childhood in Amroha, a historic Indian city as celebrated for its sweet mangoes as it is for its rich, fertile intellectual soil. Among his eminent kin were the legendary filmmaker Kamal Amrohvi, the visionary poets Rais Amrohvi and Jaun Elia, the venerable journalist Syed Muhammad Taqi (Editor of Daily Jang), and the master artist Sadequain. Growing up under their tutelage in Karachi—the vibrant "City of Lights"—the city's rich literary traditions deeply molded his early creativity.
Later in life, Prof Naqi became a revered and deeply cherished figure in the Chicago area, bridging two worlds as a distinguished academic and a soulful shayar. He enjoyed a celebrated 36-year career at DeVry University, notably serving as Professor and Chair of the College of Engineering and Information Sciences at the Chicago campus. For over half a century, he remained a mainstay at local and international Mushairas, capturing the hearts of global audiences. His literary impact was so profound that several of his most celebrated ghazals were performed by the legendary maestro, Ustad Ghulam Ali. Before his peaceful passing, Professor Akhter meticulously assembled and completed this definitive compilation of his life's work—Dard-e-PinhaaN.