Obituary: Haji Ismail Bhai, known as Baber Master Saab

Haji Ismail Bhai, also fondly known to many as Baber Master Saab 'Bambusari', died on Tuesday (June 27).

Baber Master Saab, 81, was buried at Pleasington Cemetery on Wednesday in a funeral attended by large crowds.

Known for hosting poetry events in and around Blackburn, Baber Master Saab also stood for election to Blackburn with Darwen Council on a number of occasions.

He was a Gujarati poetry and literary expert and was keen to promote the beauty of the language at community events and gatherings.

His events would attract poets and fans from across the country, and he was President of the Gujarati Writers Association (GWA) and regularly invited to prestigious events both in the UK and India.

He also found time to complete a masters degree at the age of 80.

In addition to this he would volunteer his time at numerous community, social and health events and had a genuine love for helping his local community.

Imtiaz Patel was a close friend of Baber Master Saab and met him soon after he came to the country in 1985.

Imtiaz said: “He was a very likeable person who had a great love for language and literature.

“Apart from Gujarati he helped to showcase Urdu and Bangladeshi poetry as he wanted to transcend cultures and boundaries.

“On visits to Bharuch in India he would organise events in his own time to celebrate Gujarati poetry and these proved to be popular.

“He was honoured by the Vahora Voice UK with a Lifetime Achievement Award as well as a number of awards by local mayors.

“Most of all, people will remember him as someone who was happy and always willing to give his time to community causes. He will be deeply missed.”

Babar Master Saab with National and International Famous poets Shobhit Desai, Chandu Matani, Bedar Lajpuri, Adam Tankarvi and Imtiaz Patel Varediawala at The Birmingham Gujarati International Mushaira.

Here, he receives recognition as a Gujarati Poet for his ''poetry with social message' by The Mayor of Batley Council, Fmr MP Tracey Brabin, and members of Gujarati Writers Forum Batley.

Cllr Suleman Khonat said he first met Master Saab nearly 50 years ago.

He said: “I have known Baber Master since 1976 as he brought the Indian delightful poets to Blackburn and beyond. 

“He regularly invited many people to Bangor Community Centre and others towns for people to enjoy.

"He was a true community champion from the older days and will sadly be missed. 

“It was not surprising to see thousands of people from all parts of UK coming to pay respects to a man loved by many for his dedication and poetry genius.

“He was not only active locally with his Gujarati literature and community services but also active internationally. 

“Baber Saab was popular for his wit, humorous poetry and for his simplicity by winning hearts of hundreds and thousands of people around the world.”

Baber Master Saab was honoured with an award an ‘Lifetime Contribution’ award by Vahora Voice UK in Bolton in July last year (above). It was presented by Cllr Khonat who was then Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen.

He added: “I had the pleasure couple of months ago presenting him an award for best poet and long-standing friend of the community. 

“It was a moment he truly deserved and appreciated.”

Baber Master Saab speaking at the Batley International Gujarati Mushaira and launch of 'Our Heritage' book organised by Gujarati Writers Forum Batley UK.

Shakil Salam said he met Baber Master in the mid-1980s.

He said: “He was well known in poetry circles in the community and would host these wonderful events at Bangor Street Community Centre.

“He was a real community activist and always out and about.

“This role persuaded him to involved in local politics and he stood as an Independent candidate for his ward serval times.

“He always kept himself busy and I remember he attended a university course to gain further education.

“From community events, weddings and social events he always made an effort to attend and greet everyone and never turned anyone away.”