S. M. Mehdi

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. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Born in Barabanki zamindar (landlord) family, Mehdi completed his early education in Mustafabad, Bhopal. Mehdi was a student leader in Kanpur for BA and Lucknow for MA and actively involved with the Communist party.^[4] He later studied law and political science in Lucknow, where he became involved in student activism and aligned with leftist and communist ideologies.^[5][6]

He worked with the Urdu cell of the Communist party in Mumbai alongside Sajjad Zaheer,^[4] and was for his belief in the "fellowship of man".^[7][8] This is where he got involved in IPTA & met some great minds in writing, poetry.^[9]

Mehdi also worked for two decades as Urdu correspondent for the Soviet Embassy in Delhi from the 1960s until 1990.^[10]

He was married to Zahra Begum who preceded him in death by a few weeks. Their granddaughter Taran is an active documentary maker.^[11]

Mehdi wrote numerous plays and translated dramas into Urdu.^[4] He was a prolific writer for television, including shows focusing on India's composite culture.^[4][12] Mehdi was also a scholar of the Urdu poets Ghalib and Iqbal.^[4][8] He was later associated with the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA).^[8]

His works include Chand Tasviren, Chand Khutut (A Few Pictures, A Few Letters), Maamujaan ki Diary (DD Television show).^[13][14][15]

Mehdi's work drew inspiration from various traditions, including Brechtian theatre and the oral narrative styles of Tulsidas and Mir Babar Ali Anis.^{[8][16][17][18][19][20]}

Mehdi was a contemporary of the poet Kaifi Azmi,^[7] and is mentioned in relation to his grandchildren who shared memories of him and his home.^[21][22] Together they published weeklies Mahaz and Tahrik around the Independence Era from Mumbai (then Bombay).

Mehdi died in Aligarh in January 2015 at the age of 94 in his sleep.^[4] His work, including his plays, translations, and writings, remains largely uncollected.^{[8][23][24][25][26][27]}

• S.M. Mehdi | Writer