A Celebration of Urdu Verse: Prof Naqi Akhter’s Dard-e-PinhaaN (The Hidden Pain) Premieres in Chicago
By Dr A. Khan
Chicago, IL
On July 18, 2026, the Helen Plum Library in Lombard, Illinois, hosted a book launch ceremony for Dard-e-PinhaaN (The Hidden Pain: A Collection of Poetry), an anthology of deeply reflective Urdu poetry by the late Professor Naqi Akhter.
The event brought together Professor Akhter’s family, friends, and colleagues. Attendees were welcomed by his family— Razia Akhter, Furrukh Naqvi, Dr Shahab Akhter, Raza Akhter, Mona Naqvi, Karen Schrodt, and—alongside the book's editorial board members: Prof Ahmed Shahzad Khan, Prof Suresh Borkar, Rekha Borkar, Imtiaz Mateen, Shireen Khan, and Shahid Siddiqui. Dr Maris Roze, former Dean of General Education at DeVry University, was also among the guests.
A wide panel of speakers shared insights into Prof Akhter’s poetry, personality, and his academic and humanitarian contributions in both Pakistan and the United States. Speakers included Dr Shahab Akhter, Raza Akhter, Furrukh Naqvi, Mona Naqvi, Karen Schrodt, Prof Suresh Borkar, Rekha Borkar, Imtiaz Mateen, Shireen Khan, Shahid Siddiqui, Naveed Musharraf, Furrukh Khawaja, Rumi Khawaja, Arif Khan, and Irshad Ahmed.
In his address, Prof Ahmed Shahzad Khan highlighted that Dard-e-PinhaaN serves as an eloquent sanctuary for unspoken emotions—loss, love, yearning, silence, and resilience. Beyond the verses, the manuscript features photographs and intimate narratives from family and friends, offering a rare glimpse into the profound respect Prof Akhter commanded. While rooted in personal experiences, his poetry possesses a universal resonance that invites readers to discover their own hidden emotions mirrored in the poet's ink. The collection is curated for discerning readers who seek poetry that lingers in the soul.
To welcome a broader audience, the anthology features three scripts: the original Urdu, Latin (Roman Urdu), and Devanagari (Hindi). Additionally, each couplet includes an English translation to capture the subtle nuances of Prof Akhter’s creative genius.
Prof Naqi Akhter (November 1939 – March 2020) belonged to an illustrious lineage that nourished some of the South Asian subcontinent's finest minds. He spent his early childhood in Amroha, India, a historic city celebrated for its rich intellectual soil. His eminent kin included legendary filmmaker Kamal Amrohvi, visionary poets Rais Amrohvi and Jaun Elia, venerable journalist Syed Muhammad Taqi (Editor of Daily Jang), and master artist Sadequain. Growing up under their tutelage in Karachi, Pakistan, the city's rich literary traditions deeply molded his early creativity.
Later in life, Prof Akhter became a revered figure in the Chicago area, bridging two worlds as a distinguished academic and a soulful shayar (poet). He enjoyed a celebrated 36-year career at DeVry University, notably serving as Professor and Chair of the College of Engineering and Information Sciences at the Chicago campus.
The book launch of Dard-e-PinhaaN honored the life and poetry of Professor Naqi Akhter. Dard-e-PinhaaN (The Hidden Pain: A Poetry Collection) is available now on Amazon.com.
