Maharashtra lost one of its cherished literary figures, Dr. Mirza Rafi Ahmad Beig, popularly known as “Mirza Express”, who passed away on Friday morning at 6:30 am after a prolonged illness. He was 68.

A native of Dhanaj (Manikwada) in Ner taluka of Yavatmal district, Dr. Mirza had been residing at his home named “Mirza Express” in the Navsari area on Walgaon Road, Amravati.

Former president of the Vidarbha Sahitya Sammelan, Dr. Mirza was widely acclaimed across Maharashtra for his witty and engaging stage performances.

With 20 published poetry collections and more than 6,000 recitals of his signature program “Mirza Express”, he remained a prominent figure in Marathi literary circles.

He had been undergoing treatment for kidney-related complications in recent days.

Dr. Mirza began writing poetry at the age of 11 and made his stage debut in 1970, quickly becoming a central attraction at kavi sammelans across Vidarbha and Marathwada. He also penned popular newspaper columns, notably “Mirzaji Kahin.”

Known for his humorous yet poignant writing, Dr. Mirza addressed themes ranging from agriculture and rural life to farmers’ issues, social challenges, and political contradictions. His works in Marathi and the Varhadi dialect won admiration across communities, with poems like “Motha Manus,” “Satva Mahina,” “Uth Ata Ganpat,” and “Jangadbutta” achieving widespread popularity. He is credited with coining the word “Jangadbutta.”

Dr. Mirza also served as a trustee of the Sant Fakirji Maharaj Temple Trust. He hailed from a prominent family; his father Mirza Razzak Beg (Bhaiji) was an influential political and social figure in Yavatmal and senior legal expert Firdos Mirza of Nagpur was his cousin.

His simple, inclusive interpretation of religious harmony and his mastery over the Varhadi dialect earned him a devoted following across Maharashtra.

His demise is widely mourned, with many describing it as a major loss to the region’s linguistic and cultural heritage.