Pritish Nandy, veteran poet and journalist, dies at 73; Anupam Kher pays heartfelt tribute to 'yaaron ka yaar'

Veteran poet, journalist, and filmmaker Pritish Nandy passed away at the age of 73, leaving the literary, journalistic, and film communities in deep mourning.

Known for his fearless voice, lyrical poetry, and groundbreaking contributions to Indian journalism, Nandy’s death marks the end of an era in Indian arts and media.

Actor Anupam Kher, one of Nandy’s closest friends, took to Instagram to share an emotional tribute.


Expressing his shock and grief, Kher wrote, “Deeply deeply saddened and shocked to know about the demise of one of my dearest and closest friends #PritishNandy! Amazing poet, writer, filmmaker and a brave and unique editor/journalist! He was my support system and a great source of strength in my initial days in Mumbai.”

Kher reminisced about their bond and shared how Nandy had been an integral part of his journey.

“We shared lots of things in common. He was also one of the most fearless people I had come across. Always larger than life. I learnt so many things from him. Of late we didn’t meet much. But there was a time when we were inseparable!” Kher wrote, adding how Nandy’s actions had deeply touched him, especially when he featured Kher on the covers of Filmfare and The Illustrated Weekly of India.

Calling him "Yaaron ka Yaar" (a friend of friends), Kher added, “He was the true definition of this phrase. I will miss you and our times together, my friend. Rest well.”

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Who was Pritish Nandy?

Pritish Nandy was a multifaceted personality. Born in 1951, he rose to prominence as a poet, journalist, and filmmaker, leaving an indelible mark on modern Indian culture.

Nandy’s literary journey began with his debut collection of poems, "Of Gods and Olives", published in 1967. This was followed by three more volumes in the 1960s and an astonishing 14 volumes in the 1970s. During this period, he edited and published "Dialogue", a poetry magazine that became an iconic platform for contemporary Indian poetry in English and translation. Dialogue also published over 40 books, giving a voice to both emerging and established poets.

In July 1981, Nandy’s poetic achievements earned him the honor of being nominated as a Poet Laureate by the World Academy of Arts and Culture at the Fifth World Congress of Poets in San Francisco. His poem "Calcutta If You Must Exile Me" remains a classic in modern Indian literature. Recognizing his significant contributions to Indian literature, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 1977.

Nandy’s journalistic career was equally illustrious. He served as the Publishing Director of The Times of India between 1982 and 1991 and was the Managing Editor of the group. Under his leadership, The Illustrated Weekly of India enjoyed its most successful decade. He also helmed Filmfare, the iconic film magazine, and The Independent, a newspaper launched by the Times Group.

Even in his later years, Nandy continued to write. His poetry collections "Again" (2010) and "Stuck on 1/Forty" (2012) marked his return to the literary scene after a long hiatus. In 2014, his version of the "Isha Upanishad" was published, and his "Collected Poems" are currently being brought out by Seagull Books.