Alys Faiz
Alys Faiz (Urdu: ایلس فیض) (September 22, 1914 - March 12, 2003 ) was a British-born naturalized Pakistani poet, writer, journalist, human rights activist, social worker and teacher.
She is best known as the wife of the famous Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz. She was also the aunt of the assassinated Punjab governor Salman Taseer. By birth she was British but later adopted Islam and Pakistan as her religion and country. She married Faiz Ahmed Faiz in the 1930s. They had two daughters: Salima Hashmi and Moneeza Hashmi.
After her death, Habib R. Sulemani wrote in The Dawn newspaper, “During my decade-long stay in Lahore, as a silent observer of the literary-scene, I was fascinated by her life-story which made me believe that women are stronger than men and have an immense power and talent for reconciliation and bridging the gaps between two families or nations. Alys gave courage to many western women who were married to Pakistanis and now live here as citizens. Alys gave many sacrifices. Faiz Ahmad Faiz's life and poetry have influenced hundreds of thousands of people in one way or the other, but Alys has shaped his life and poetry. A study of Faiz, as a person and a poet, cannot be complete without a study of Alys. Rather I should say she needs a special treat on her own right as a writer and a poet. A recent dramatic Production 'Chand Roz Aur Meri Jaan' focussed for the first time on the inimitable chemistry between Faiz and Alys. Performed in Delhi at JNU and also at Sri Ram Centre, by Salima Raza and Danish Iqbal, 'Chand Roz Aur Meri Jaan' presents the hitherto unknown aspcets of their life with the help of letters exchanged between them, particularly during Rawalpindi Saazish days. In one such production at Amritsar, renowned theatre actress Suchitra Gupta portrayed the role of Alys with Danish Iqbal. So, apart from few newspaper articles and interviws in books, this production is first ever attempt to pay tribute to the silent role played by Alys in shaping the life of Faiz.”[1]
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- Dawn, March 13, 2003 – Alys Faiz passes away, By Nasir Jamal
- Obituary The Times, April 5, 2003: "Alys Faiz – Journalist whose ideals drew her to India, marriage, then Pakistan"
- Newsline (Pakistan), April 2003 – All About Alys "I.A. Rehman, in a poignant remembrance, gives us an insight into the real Alys Faiz."
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