Poetess Poornima, popular even in Pakistan, is dead

Bhopal, Sep 18 (UNI) Eminent poetess Poornima Poonam Nigam, whose command over Hindi and Urdu led to her being invited for programmes in Pakistan, has passed away at the cantonment town Jabalpur following cardiac arrest.

She was 58 and is survived by two sons and three daughters.

She breathed her last at 0500 hrs yesterday. The funeral pyre was lit by her eldest son. Poornima's husband, who worked in the Vehicle Factory Jabalpur, had died of cancer.

During her lifetime, she recited poems at programmes along with luminaries such as Kaifi Azmi, Shamim Jaipuri, Gopaldas Neeraj, Balkavi Bairagi and Som Thakur. Poornima performed on DD and AIR as well besides contributing to magazines.

Her published collection is 'Poonam Ki Ghazal' (1998) while 'Poonam Ke Geet' is on the verge of seeing light of day. She even gave a recital in Mauritius.

''Poornima's death signifies a growing void of lady talents in Madhya Pradesh as Morena's Indra Indu and Dhar's Shanti Saba predeceased her. In 1982, I introduced her to an audience during a poetry convention at the GPO, Bhopal,'' satirist and former Madhya Pradesh Police officer Hari Vitthal Dubey 'Dhoomketu' told UNI.

Born on September 4, 1948 in Jabalpur, Poornima earned MA, LLB and BHMS degrees and even practised in the Madhya Pradesh High Court. Her interest in poetry germinated at an early age through exposure to poets in the city.

In 'Poonam Ke Ghazal', Poornima wrote: 'Main apne kad se abhi ja rahi hoon Yeh dhoka hai magar main kha rahi hoon.

Andhere jo mujhe dete rahen hain Ujale main unhe lauta rahi hoon...' (I am renouncing my status As it is a mere illusion, To those who gave constantly gave me darkness I am giving light) 'Tum yeh na samajh lena hum wada sikan nikle Kuch der toh lagti hai wadon ko nibhane mein' (You should not consider me a person who reneged on promises It does take time to fulfil vows.) UNI AC VA GC1653