Ahmad Faraz
| Ahmad Faraz | |
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 Ahmad Faraz, Toronto 2005 |
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| Born | Syed Ahmad Shah Ali January 12, 1931 Kohat, N.W.F.P., Pakistan |
| Died | August 25, 2008 (aged 77) Islamabad, Pakistan |
| Pen name | Faraz Communist |
| Occupation | Urdu poet, Lecturer |
| Nationality | Pakistani |
| Ethnicity | Pashtoon Syed |
| Citizenship | Pakistani |
| Education | MA Urdu, MA Persian |
| Alma mater | Peshawar Model School Peshawar University |
| Period | 1950 - 2008 |
| Genres | Urdu Ghazal |
| Subjects | Romance, resistance |
| Literary movement | Progressive Writers Movement/Democratic Movement |
| Notable award(s) | Hilal-e-Imtiaz Sitara-i-Imtiaz Nigar Awards |
| Children | 3 sons: Saadi, Shibli and Sarmad Faraz |
| Relative(s) | Syed Muhammad Shah Barq (father) Syed Masood Kausar (brother) |
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Ahmad Faraz (Urdu: احمد فراز) born Syed Ahmad Shah (Urdu: سید احمد شاہ) on January 12, 1931 in Kohat,[1] [2] was a Pakistani Urdu poet. He was considered one of the great modern Urdu poets of the last century. Faraz is his pseudonym 'takhalus'. Faraz died in Islamabad on August 25, 2008.[3] [4]
Faraz has been compared with Faiz Ahmad Faiz,[5] holds a unique position as one of the best poets of current times, with a fine but simple style of writing.[6] Even common people can easily understand his poetry. Ethnically a Hindkowan, Ahmed Faraz studied Persian and Urdu at the Peshawar University. He later became lecturer at the Peshawar University.He was awarded Hilal-e-Imtiaz, Sitara-i-Imtiaz and after his death Hilal-e-Pakistan by Government of Pakistan.[2]
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[edit] Biography
Faraz was born on January 12,1931 in Kohat,[2] Pakistan to Syed Muhammad Shah Barq. His brother is Syed Masood Kausar.[6] In an interview with Rediff he recalls how his father, once bought clothes for him on Eid. He didn't like the clothes meant for him, but preferred the ones meant for his elder brother. This lead him to write his first couplet:
- سب کے واسطے لائے ہیں کپڑے سیل سے Sab kay waste laye hein kaprye sale se (He brought clothes for everybody from the sale)
- لائے ہیں میرے لیے قیدی کا کمبل جیل سے Laye hein mere liye qaidi ka kambal jail se (For me he brought a blanket from jail)[7]
He was told by his parents once to learn mathematics from a class fellow during the summer vacation. "I was weak in mathematics and geography. I still don't remember maps and roads".
He was from a respectable family of Syed, descendents of ''Haji Bahadar" a famous saint of Kohat, he moved to Peshawar with entire family. Studied in famous Edwards College, Peshawar and then did his Masters in Urdu and Persian from Peshawar University.[5]
During his time in college, Faiz Ahmad Faiz and Ali Sardar Jafri were the best progressive poets, who impressed him and became his role models.
[edit] Literary and Political life
Outspoken about politics, he went into self-imposed exile during the Zia-ul-Haq era after he was arrested for reciting certain poems at a Mushaira criticizing the military rule. He stayed for 6 years in Britain, Canada and Europe before returning to Pakistan,[5] where he was initially appointed Chairman Academy of Letters and later chairperson of the Islamabad-based National Book Foundation for several years.[5] He has been awarded with numerous national and international awards.[5]
He was awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz in 2004, in recognition of his literary achievements. He returned the award in 2006 after becoming disenchanted with the government and its policies.[5]
"My conscious will not forgive me if I remained a silent spectator of the sad happenings around us. The least I can do is to let the dictatorship know where it stands in the eyes of the concerned citizens whose fundamental rights have been usurped. I am doing this by returning the Hilal-e-Imtiaz (civil) forthwith and refuse to associate myself in any way with the regime..." a statement issued by the poet.
About his current writings he says: "I now only write when I am forced to from the inside."[citation needed] Maintaining a tradition established by his mentor, the revolutionary Faiz Ahmad Faiz, he wrote some of his best poetry during those days in exile. Famous amongst poetry of resistance has been "Mahasara". Faraz was also mentioned by actor Shahzada Ghaffar in the Pothwari/Mirpuri telefilm "Khai Aye O".
Despite his deteriorating health, he was quite active in the Judicial Crisis, in 2007. He himself joined the lawyers to protest against the government, and also encouraged his colleagues to do the same.
[edit] Death
Faraz died from kidney failure in a local Islamabad hospital on 25 August 2008. His funeral was held on the evening of 26th, by many admirers and government officials at H-8 Graveyard, Islamabad, Pakistan.
[edit] Samples of poetry
A sample of his poetry is:
Nazm: Khwaab martay naheen
Khwaab maratay naheen
Khwaab dil hain, nah aankhen, nah saansen keh jo
Rezaa, rezaa huwe to bikhar jaayen ge
Jism kii maut se ye bhii mar jaayen ge
English translation.
Dreams do not die
Dream are not heart, nor eyes nor breath
Which shattered, will scatter
Die with the death of the body.
[edit] References
- ^ "About Faraz". Ahmad Faraz Trust. http://www.ahmadfaraztrust.org/about_faraz.html. Retrieved 2012-01-29.
- ^ a b c Samaa TV "Urdu News". Samaa.tv. 2008-09-26. http://www.samaa.tv/urdu/urdu-news-1-12-2012-4876-4.html Samaa TV.
- ^ Daily Times "Ahmed Faraz passes away". Daily Times.com. 2008-08-26. http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C08%5C26%5Cstory_26-8-2008_pg1_9 Daily Times. Retrieved 2012-01-29.
- ^ "سلسلے توڑ گیا وہ سبھی جاتے جاتے". BBC.co.uk. 2008-08-26. http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/miscellaneous/story/2008/08/080826_fraz_died_sen.shtml. Retrieved 20121-01-29.
- ^ a b c d e f "Ahmed Faraz, Outspoken Urdu Poet". The new York Times.com. 2008-09-01. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/01/books/01faraz.html?_r=1&oref=slogin. Retrieved 2012-01-29.
- ^ a b "Meeting Poet Ahmad Faraz". Chowk.com. 2007-07-09. http://www.chowk.com/Views/Meeting-Poet-Ahmad-Faraz. Retrieved 2012-01-29.
- ^ "Ahmad Faraz's Interview". BBC.co.uk. http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/specials/1023_likhari_fz_sen/. Retrieved 2012-01-29.
[edit] External links
- احمد فراز : تعارف اور منتخب شاعری (Selected Poetry of Ahmad Faraz)
- لفظ کو پھول بنانا تو کرشمہ ہے فراز، احمد فراز کی شاعری اور زندگی کے مختلف پہلوں پر مبنی ایک خصوصی ڈاکومنٹری
- Ahmed Faraz at Kavita Kosh (Poetry in Hindi font)
- 10 Selected Poems of Ahmed Faraz
- Ahmed Faraz's Audio and Video Poetry
- جب شعر سفر کرجائےگا
- Obituary of Ahmed Faraz
- [1]
- [2] by waqar ahmed odho
- Link of some of his beautiful creations.
- The New York Times
