Dr Ameeta Parsuram’ Meeta’: Whose Poetry Heals Broken Hearts 

Dr Ameeta Parsuram, lovingly known as ‘Meeta’ in literary circles, represents the perfect blend of academic excellence and artistic brilliance. Born in Delhi in 1955, she carved a unique identity as both a distinguished psychologist and a celebrated Urdu poetess. Her life story reads like poetry itself – filled with struggles, triumphs, and the constant search for meaning through words.

For four decades, she shaped young minds as a psychology professor at the University of Delhi, but her real impact came through verses that touched millions of hearts across India. What makes Meeta special is her ability to transform personal pain into universal healing. Her poems don’t just rhyme; they resonate with anyone who has loved, lost, or hoped against hope. She became the voice of countless women who found their own stories reflected in her couplets.

From university lecture halls to grand Mushairas, from radio broadcasts to television shows, Meeta’s journey proves that authentic voices always find their audience. Her poetry collection “Jo Aaj Tak Na Keh Saki” (What I Could Never Say Aloud) became a bestseller, establishing her as one of contemporary India’s most beloved female poets.

Growing Up with Words: Early Life and Family Influence

Meeta’s love affair with poetry began in her childhood home, where Urdu literature was part of daily conversation. Her father, an avid reader of Urdu newspapers, would often find solace in life’s complexities through classical couplets and verses. This early exposure planted the seeds of her poetic sensibility. As a young girl, Meeta was deeply sensitive, often retreating into her thoughts when overwhelmed by emotions she couldn’t express.

By fifth grade, she was already writing poems in both Hindi and Urdu, struggling to choose between two beautiful languages but ultimately embracing both. Her family gatherings were filled with impromptu poetry sessions, where relatives would recite verses and discuss their meanings in depth. These moments became her first classroom in the art of emotional expression. Despite financial struggles at home, her parents never discouraged her literary interests, understanding that their daughter possessed a rare gift.

The challenges of her early years, family tensions, financial constraints, and the typical struggles of growing up in middle-class Delhi—became the raw material for her future poetry. Even as a teenager, Meeta realised that her deepest wounds often gave rise to her most beautiful verses, a lesson that would guide her entire creative journey.

The Psychology Professor Who Never Stopped Being a Poet

Meeta’s professional journey took her into the world of psychology, where she spent forty years teaching at Delhi University’s Jesus & Mary College. However, she never saw her dual roles as conflicting; instead, she found a beautiful synergy between understanding human behaviour and expressing human emotions. Her psychology classes became legendary among students, not just for their academic content, but also for the wisdom she shared through real-life examples and poetic insights.

Many colleagues initially questioned how a ‘poetry-writing professor’ could be taken seriously in academic circles. Meeta proved them wrong by excelling in both fields, publishing research papers while simultaneously gaining recognition in literary forums. Her students remember her unique teaching style – explaining complex psychological concepts through simple analogies and often ending lectures with relevant couplets that made complicated theories memorable.

The transition from classroom teacher to public performer wasn’t easy. When she first started participating in Mushairas, Meeta struggled with severe stage fright. Her hands would tremble, her voice would shake, and she often considered giving up public performances. However, the overwhelming response from audiences – people wiping tears, nodding in recognition, and approaching her with their own stories – gave her the courage to continue. She realised that her poetry wasn’t just personal expression; it was a bridge connecting her experiences with others’ emotions.

Love, Loss, and the Stories Behind Famous Poems

Behind every memorable poem lies a real story, and Meeta’s verses are no exception. Her famous ghazal “Hazaron Manzilen Phir Bhi Meri Manzil Hai Tu Hi Tu” (Thousands of Destinations, Yet You Remain My Only Goal) was born from a deeply personal experience of love and separation. She has often shared how this poem came to her during a challenging period when she had to say goodbye to someone who meant the world to her.

Many of her poems reflect actual conversations with friends going through depression, breakups, or family crises. Meeta’s phone became a helpline for people seeking emotional support, and these late-night conversations often transformed into verses that helped not just the original caller but thousands of readers facing similar situations. Her poetry became a form of collective therapy, addressing issues that Indian society often prefers to keep private.

One particularly touching moment in her career came when she recited her ghazals to a legendary playback singer in Mumbai. Her voice cracked with emotion during the performance, but instead of feeling embarrassed, she experienced a profound connection with her audience. That day, she understood that vulnerability wasn’t a weakness but her greatest strength as a poet. The authenticity of her emotions, visible even in her voice, made her poetry unforgettable for those who heard it live.

Creating APBazm: Building a Community of Poets

Recognising the power of community in nurturing artistic talent, Meeta founded APBazm, a poetry platform that welcomes voices from all backgrounds. She deliberately avoided creating exclusive spaces, opposing the common practice of separate ‘Women’s Mushairas’ and instead advocating for equal platforms where talent, not gender, determined participation. Her vision was simple: poetry should unite, not divide.

Under her leadership, APBazm grew from a small group of poetry enthusiasts to a significant literary movement. The platform gained recognition for its inclusive approach, welcoming both established poets and complete beginners. Meeta personally mentored dozens of emerging writers, many from families where Urdu or Hindi poetry had no tradition. She understood that talent often needs just a slight push and the right environment to flourish.

APBazm’s success lies in its emphasis on emotional honesty over technical perfection. Meeta encouraged poets to write from their hearts first and worry about meter and rhyme later. This approach produced some remarkably authentic voices who might have been intimidated by more formal literary circles. Today, APBazm stands as a testament to Meeta’s belief that poetry belongs to everyone, not just the academically trained or culturally privileged.

Legacy of Words: Impact on Modern Urdu Poetry

Dr Ameeta Parsuram’ Meeta’ represents a bridge between traditional Urdu poetry and contemporary emotional expression. Her work demonstrates that classical forms can convey modern sentiments without compromising their essence. She inspired a generation of women poets who saw in her example that it was possible to be respected both as an academic and an artist, as a professional and a creative person.

Her influence extends beyond poetry into social consciousness. By openly discussing topics like depression, heartbreak, women’s struggles, and family conflicts, she normalised conversations that Indian society often avoids. Her verses became conversation starters, helping families discuss emotions and relationships more openly. Many readers have shared how her poems helped them through dark periods or gave them the courage to express their own suppressed feelings.

Today, even in retirement from her teaching career, Meeta continues to write, perform, and mentor. Her journey from a sensitive child writing poems in fifth grade to becoming one of India’s most beloved contemporary poets offers hope to anyone who has ever felt that their emotions were too intense or their dreams too unconventional. She proved that what makes us different can become what makes us valuable to the world.

Also Read: Deep Narayan Nayak: Teacher of the Street Who Turned Walls into Blackboards

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