Yogesh Praveen, author, educationist and lyricist passed away in Lucknow on Monday at the age of 81.
Though the cause of his death was not immediately clear, there was no ambiguity in the shock that his demise caused among Lucknowites. The first messages about his passing away came in early evening and were followed by a string of denials and disbeliefs.
Praveen was awarded the Padma Shri in 2020 for his services to literature and education. He was the go to person for anyone who was looking for some information or nugget on Awadh. Among the movies for which he wrote the lyrics was the Shyam Benegal directed Junoo—based on Ruskin Bond’s The Flight of Pigeons.
This writer had interviewed him two weeks ago.
Praveen had, as always, recorded his despair at the manner in which the state treated its immense architectural heritage.
“There is just no interest in it. Those who are in the position to preserve it are only doing a job for its sake. To this generation, there is much that is lost forever,” Praveen had said. He had also promised to pen down his thoughts and share them through THE WEEK.
Born in October 1940, the slight, always smiling Praveen was a constant at all events that celebrated all things on Awadh. He was a storehouse of knowledge and of stories. His enthusiasm was unfailing, despite the despair he voiced.
He was, as many described, a ‘living inspiration’. Unfailingly polite and patient, Praveen never made a person feel small for her lack of knowledge or questions that were too simplistic.
His first book was the much awarded Lucknow Nama—an interesting read about the monuments of Lucknow and its history. This was to remain a lifelong passion with him. In Lucknow’s Monuments he writes, “The ‘Tehzib’ of Lucknow has no parallel in any part of the world….The ever increasing enchantment of this ‘Tehzib’ has been the driving force behind my elocution and penmanship”.
In his life he was a near perfect embodiment of this Tehzib—a lost art of living and refinement.
Praveen, a much in demand chief guest would often make light of a bout of ill health if he were to arrive late or leave early at functions. In his interactions with the audience, he would promise to meet soon. It was a promise kept as one could be sure to bump into him at another evening of poetry, dance or discussions.
On Monday though, Lucknow was rudely jolted by the fact that there would be no more such meetings.