Khalid Nadeem Budauni
Khalid Nadeem Budauni (Urdu: خالد ندیم بدایونی; born 15 June 1958 – died 21 June 2025, was an Indian Urdu poet, teacher, and literary figure from Budaun, Uttar Pradesh, India. He was best known for his contributions to Urdu & Hindi Hamd, Naat, Manaqib and Ghazal poetry. A respected mentor and founding member of the All India Fankaar Academy, Budaun U.P., he played a key role in promoting Urdu literature and encouraging young poets in northern India.
Early life and education
Khalid Nadeem Budauni was born on 15 June 1958 in Mohalla Sahukara Gate, a culturally rich locality in Budaun, Uttar Pradesh. He completed his early education in his hometown, where his teachers recognized his literary inclination and talent for poetry. During his youth, he developed a strong devotion to religious and spiritual expression, which later became a defining feature of his poetry. His father, Abdul Majid Siddiqui, served as a Head Constable in the Uttar Pradesh Police. Due to his father’s job outside Budaun, he was raised by his grandfather Abdul Hadi Siddiqui and paternal aunt Shamim Bano.
He received his primary education from Madrasa Aaliya Qadriya, Budaun, and completed his Intermediate from Islamia Inter College, Budaun. Later, he obtained a Master’s degree in Urdu from Rohilkhand University, Bareilly and completed B.T.C. training. Subsequently, he joined the Department of Basic Education, Government of Uttar Pradesh as a teacher.
Career
Business
Before joining the Department of Basic Education in 1994, Khalid Nadeem Budauni was briefly engaged in small-scale business activities in Mumbai. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, he assisted in his family’s local trade and distribution work, which primarily dealt with Sharbat and Juices and got pen name : Ajmeri Sharbat.
Teaching
Khalid Nadeem Budauni worked as a teacher/headmaster (Basic Education Uttar Pradesh Government), earning respect for his dedication, moral guidance, and gentle nature. His influence extended beyond academics; he inspired students to value Urdu language, culture and ethical living.
Literary career
Alongside teaching, Khalid Nadeem Budauni established himself as a poet of refinement and devotion. His works include numerous compositions of Naat (praise of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ), Manaqib (tributes to saints and Imams), and Ghazals on love, humanity, and faith. His poetry is noted for its classical Urdu diction, rhythmic flow and spiritual depth.
Khalid Nadeem Budauni began his poetic career in 1970, under the mentorship of Late Shafi Ahmad Khan “Payam Kakralvi”. He also received literary guidance from Dr. Asad Budauni, Husain Ahmad Farid Chand Sheikhupuri and Khalid Budauni (of Biri 92).
He launched an Urdu magazine titled MONTHLY ROSHAN which ran successfully for three years. His poetry has been published and recited in numerous Mushairas across India, including in Bengaluru, Agra, Mumbai, Aligarh, Delhi, Varanasi, Lucknow, and Bareilly.
Khalid Nadeem Budauni has been frequently featured on All India Radio, Zee Salaam, News18 Urdu and Doordarshan Kendra Rampur, Bareilly and Lucknow. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, he continued to recite poetry on online platforms such as YouTube and Facebook.
Publications and works
He authored several collections of poetry in the genres of Hamd, Naat, Ghazal and Manaqib, and his writings appeared in Urdu magazines and anthologies across India. Many of his verses are still shared on digital platforms and social media by admirers of Urdu poetry.
Khalid Nadeem Budauni has authored several books, mostly in Naat and Manaqib genres. His published and forthcoming works include:
- Mohsin-e-Kaunanin (Naat Collection)
- Zaad-e-Akhirat (Naat Collection)
- Anwar-e-Karbala (Manaqib Collection)
- Anwar-e-Sabir (Manaqib Collection)
- Shan-e-Ala Hazrat (Manaqib Collection)
- Anwar-e-Usaid (Manaqib Collection)
- Fankaar Academy ke Tarahi Mushaire
- Pyaasa Sooraj - Urdu Ghazal (under preparation)
- Taqleed-e-Hassan (under publication)
- Aayina Dil Ka - Urdu / Hindi Ghazal (under preparation)
- Ghaus-o-Khwaja Raza (incomplete)
- Anwar-e-Swaleheen (under publication)
His works have received praise from critics including Dr. Siraj Ajmali, Naz Pratapgarhi, Afsar Amrohvi, Samar Budauni, Dr. Sohrab Kakralvi, Dr. Ilyas Naved Gunnauri, and Wasiq Pusganvi.
Poetic lineage
Khalid Nadeem traces his poetic lineage through a line of distinguished Urdu poets: Shafi Ahmad Khan “Payam Kakralvi” → Abr Ahsani Gunnauri → Ahsan Marehravi → Dagh Dehlavi.
This lineage links him to the classical tradition of Urdu Rekhta poetry.
An early anecdote in his career highlights his skill — during a poetry exercise with his mentor, his couplet based on the line “The shadow shall remember the tiredness of the traveler” was chosen as the best among his peers.
Association with Fankaar Academy
Around the early 2000s, Khalid Nadeem Budauni founded All India Fankaar Academy, Budaun, a literary organization aimed at promoting Urdu literature, organizing poetry symposiums (mushairas), and encouraging emerging poets. The Academy continues to function actively and has become an important cultural institution in Budaun.
Khalid Nadeem Budauni was actively associated with the Fankaar Academy, Budaun, a cultural and literary organization dedicated to promoting Urdu literature and nurturing young talent. He organized Mushairas (poetic symposiums), literary discussions and training sessions, greatly contributing to Budaun’s literary revival.
Style and themes
Khalid Nadeem Budauni’s poetry is characterized by devotional sincerity, emotional warmth, and linguistic elegance. His recurring themes include:
- Faith and spiritual devotion
- Love for the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
- Moral and human values
- Mysticism and inner reflection
His poetry reflects humility and sincerity, blending traditional imagery with contemporary sensibility.
Personal life
Khalid Nadeem Budauni lived in Budaun, where he devoted his life to education, poetry, and mentorship. He was known for his humility, kindness, and deep spirituality. Friends and students remember him as a calm, inspiring presence in the literary community.
Legacy
After his passing, his students, admirers and members of Fankaar Academy continue to celebrate his memory through tributes, nashisht, mushairas, recitations and publications. He is regarded as one of Budaun’s most respected Urdu poets, remembered for preserving the classical beauty of Urdu and the spirit of devotion.
See also
- Urdu poetry
- Naat
- Fankaar Academy, Budaun
- List of Urdu-language poets