Celebrated Urdu poet, literary critic, and scholar Shri Sheen Kaaf Nizam, born as Shiv Kishan Bissa, has been conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri for his outstanding contributions to Literature and Education.
A towering figure in Indian Urdu literature, Shri Nizam has dedicated his life to the promotion, preservation, and evolution of Urdu poetry and prose, while also working to bridge linguistic and cultural boundaries across India.
Born in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Shiv Kishan Bissa adopted the pen name Sheen Kaaf Nizam and rose to prominence as one of the most respected Urdu poets and literary historians of his generation. His ghazals and nazms are known for their lyrical beauty, emotional depth, and philosophical undertones.
Over the decades, he has published numerous anthologies, translations, and critical essays, contributing richly to both classical and contemporary Urdu literature. As a Hindu writing in Urdu, his work has stood as a symbol of India’s pluralistic and inclusive literary heritage.
“Language has no religion; it is the soul of a culture,” Shri Nizam once remarked at a literary festival.
Beyond poetry, Sheen Kaaf Nizam has been a leading editor, compiler, and biographer, helping document the works of major Urdu poets and ensuring their legacy is accessible to future generations. His writings have been widely translated, and he has been invited to speak and teach across India and internationally.
He has also played a significant role in mentoring young poets, encouraging them to embrace linguistic richness and cultural sensitivity.
Shri Sheen Kaaf Nizam’s Padma Shri is not only a recognition of literary excellence—it is a celebration of unity in diversity, and a tribute to the power of words to transcend boundaries. His life and work remain an inspiration to all who believe in the beauty and universality of Indian literature.
