With heavy hearts and tearful eyes, we say goodbye to a rare and radiant soul — UD Abdulkareem, a man whose creative brilliance, gentle spirit, and deep humanity touched countless lives. Tragically lost in a car accident, his passing has sent ripples of grief through the hearts of those who knew him and many who only knew of him through his extraordinary work.
UD wasn’t just a name; he was a force — a storyteller, a visionary, and an artist whose gift was not just in what he created, but in how he made people feel. As the author of The African Cowboy and The Diary of a Peasant Child, UD gave a voice to the unheard and a stage to the unseen. His words carried the weight of truth, the soul of a people, and the hope of generations.
Beyond the written word, UD was a master behind the lens. As the official photographer to the Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021, he didn’t just take photos — he preserved moments of history, each frame pulsing with meaning and emotion. A gifted scriptwriter as well, his work earned him widespread acclaim, including a prestigious award in India in 2019 — just one of many honors recognizing his undeniable talent.
But perhaps what made UD truly special was not just his art, but his heart. Those who knew him speak of a man who was humble, kind, soft-spoken yet passionate, always generous with his time, his wisdom, and his lens.
His untimely departure has left a void — the silence where once there was the click of a camera, the scratch of a pen, and the gentle laughter of a man who saw beauty in the everyday.
Yet, in our mourning, we also celebrate a legacy that will never fade.
UD Abdulkareem’s stories will continue to speak. His photographs will continue to inspire. His life — though heartbreakingly brief — will remain a beacon of creativity, authenticity, and purpose.
Rest in peace, UD.
Your journey on this earth may have ended, but your light will forever shine in the pages you’ve written, the images you’ve captured, and the lives you’ve touched
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