Syed Amin Ashraf (10 July 1930 – 7 February 2013) was an Indian Urdu Ghazal poet and critic.^[1] He earned his PhD in English Literature from Aligarh Muslim University on the topic Major Themes and Imagery in Sarogini Naidu's Poetry,^[2] and later served the same department.^[3] He produced three poetic collections and a critical compendium of essays in the form of a book. Several academic awards were conferred on his poetic anthologies, and numerous critical articles and books praised his poetic artistry.^[4][5][6][7]

Biography

Syed Amin Ashraf was born on 10 July 1930 in Kichhauchha Sharif, the eldest child and son of his parents. His father was Syed Habeeb Ashraf. He worked as a librarian in the village's library.^{[citation needed]} He received his primary education at a local madrasa. He received a BA, an MA and a PhD degree from the Aligarh Muslim University.^{[citation needed]}

Ashraf wrote three poetic collections titled, 'Jadae Shab', 'Bahare Ijaad' and 'Qafase Rang'. Barg-o-Baar is a collection of his critical papers.^{[citation needed]} He received awards from Ghalib Academy, New Delhi and Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy, Lucknow. He also served as the editor of the Aligarh Magazine during 1960's.^[8]

Ashraf died of a cardiac arrest in Aligarh, on 7 February 2013, at the age of 82. He was buried beside his father's grave near the shrine of Ashraf Jahangir Semnani at Kichaucha Sharif.^{[9][10][11][12]}

Literary works

• Jadae Shab
• Bahare Ijaad
• Qafase Rang
• Bargo Bar

Awards and honours received

• U.P. Urdu Academy Award on the book 'Bahare Ijaad', Lucknow(2007).
• U.P. Urdu Academy Award for contribution to Urdu Poetry, Lucknow (2010).
• Maikash Award from Maikash Academy, Aligarh (2010).
• Ghalib Award from Ghalib Academy, New Delhi (2011).
• 19 Nov 2012 – 68. Sheri Nashist at the UGC ASC in honour of Dr. Syed Amin. Ashraf