Remembering Gopaldas Neeraj: ‘Nirantar Neeraj Samman Samaroh 2025’ Celebrates His Literary Legacy

On the 7th death anniversary of revered poet Gopaldas Neeraj, the ‘Nirantar Neeraj Samman Samaroh 2025’ was held in New Delhi.

The event brought together a host of notable personalities from the worlds of literature, music, politics, and cinema to celebrate the legendary poet’s rich literary legacy.

Bharat Express Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Upendrra Rai, along with his wife Dr Rachna Rai, inaugurated the ceremony by lighting the traditional lamp.

A Star-Studded Gathering

Several luminaries, including Prasoon Joshi (lyricist and CEO of McCann Worldgroup India), lyricist Sameer Anjaan, filmmaker Boney Kapoor, singer Vineet Singh, and veteran BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, attended the occasion. Their presence underlined the cultural and emotional importance of the occasion.

Noted poet Afzal paid tribute with an emotive verse dedicated to Neeraj’s influence, stating, “Aao karte hain baat Neeraj ki, aaj hai raat Neeraj ki, Yeh sab hai Upendrra ji ka kamaal, jo bichi hai bisat Neeraj ki.”

Adding to the heartfelt homage, Neeraj’s eldest son, Shashank Prabhakar, recited his father’s poems. His performance captivated the audience and evoked nostalgic memories of the poet’s literary brilliance.

Remembering a Literary Giant

The event served as a vibrant reminder of Neeraj’s profound contributions to Hindi poetry and Bollywood songwriting. Prasoon Joshi and Sameer Anjaan shared personal anecdotes that reflected Neeraj’s influence on their careers and the larger artistic landscape.

Vineet Singh performed some of Neeraj’s beloved songs, striking a chord with the audience and paying musical tribute to the maestro.

Hindi Academy Secretary Sanjay Garg also attended, highlighting support for Hindi literature.

A Night of Poetic Celebration

The evening featured stirring poetry recitals by several acclaimed poets and lyricists from across India. Their powerful words and performances received enthusiastic applause from the audience. In his address, Upendrra Rai stressed the need to preserve Neeraj’s legacy. He also vowed to hold the tribute annually to inspire younger generations with the poet’s work.

Viewers nationwide joined the live stream, reflecting their lasting love for Neeraj’s poetry. The event commemorated the life and work of a great literary figure. It also served as a platform to promote Hindi literature and culture.

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