Vartha Bharati | 15-02-2019 | 10:50:00 IST

Writer, thinker, pioneer of Beary movement Abdul Raheem Teekay is no more
Mangaluru, Feb 15: Well-known businessman, pioneer of the Beary movement, poet, writer, translator, thinker Abdul Raheem (65), passed away after a brief illness on Tuesday morning at his residence in Mangaluru. He is survived by wife, two sons, four brothers, including Umar Teekay of Bengaluru.

Abdul Raheem Teekay was an entrepreneur. Besides being the managing director of Teekays Corporate Concepts, he was a poet and author. A passionate, who was deeply concerned about society. He was an activist, who put his complete efforts for the Beary Language Movement. Later, he became the founding president of the Bearys Sahitya Parishat.

He entered into the world of literature as an organizer of the historic first Beary Sahitya Sammelana, which was held under the aegis of Beary Sahitya mattu Sanskritik Sangha on November 11, 1998 at the Town Hall in Mangaluru.

He has the honour of leading the second and the third Beary Sahitya Sammelanas as the president of the Kendriya Beary Sahitya Parishat, which were organised by the Kendriya Beary Sahitya Parishat on November 21, 1999 at Neralkatte’s Indian Auditorium in Bantwal taluk; and on October 28, 2011 at Udyavara’s Halima Sabju Auditorium in Udupi, respectively.

His Beary translation of the English – Kannada poem ‘For You,’ written by Mamta G Sagar was published under compilation of poems ‘Hide and Seek’ and became famous internationally.

His articles reviews, stories, and poems have been published in Varthabharati, Udayavani, Janavahini, Bearyvarte and many other newspapers in Karnataka.

‘Mallige Balli’ (2014) was his maiden Beary poetry compilation. His poems are very close to the reality of life, and directly touch the reader’s heart. The credit of translating the world-renowned English novel ‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho, after getting the official permission from the original writer, to Kannada in the name of ‘Rasavadi’ (2015) goes to Abdul Rahim Teekay.

His service is tremendous in molding the future of hundreds of children through the registered ‘Salma Bawa Foundation,’ which he started after his father and mother’s name in order to educate poor children.

He has been a member of the Board of Directors of Mangaluru’s major sporting institution Mangalore Bicycle Club since 2016. He served as the president of the city’s prestigious ‘Casa Grande’ housing complex for three consecutive terms from 2002 to 2005.

Abdul Rahim Teekay was born in Jokatte and brought up in Bajpe. He was the second son of Bawa Abdul Khader and Salma Abdul Khader of prestigious Kademane family. Abdul Raheem was residing in Mangaluru. He was fond of this land’s language and culture, which is evident through his writings.