Rich tributes were paid to revolutionary modern Urdu poet ‘Ahmad Faraz’ for his unforgettable services on his 12th death anniversary on Tuesday (today).
Ahmed Faraz is ranked among the greatest Urdu poets of the current era.
Born on January 12, 1931 in Kohat, Ahmad Faraz was among those distinguished poets whose literal sense and multifaceted poetry became widely popular sometimes for romantic adolescent and other times for hailing revolution.
He held a Master’s degree in multiple languages, including Urdu, Persian, and English Literature. He belonged to the Sufi family of Haji Bahadur. Born as Syed Ahmed Shah, he rose to fame as Ahmed Faraz (pen name). His first poetry collection Tanha Tanha was published in the 1960s when he was pursuing his Bachelor’s at Peshawar University.
Like many other Urdu poets, Faraz was also inspired by Mirza Ghalib, Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Ali Sardar Jaffri for their progressive sentiments and traits. He began his career as a script writer for Radio Pakistan and later became an Urdu teacher at Peshawar University. Having versatile personality, he became active in politics too during General Zia-ul-Haq’s dictatorial tenure after raising his concerns for democracy.
Faraz was exiled for six years for his liberal thoughts during that period, spending time in London, Canada and other European states.
Ahmed Faraz was conferred with numerous awards, including the Adam Jee Literary Award, Sitara-e-Imtiaz and Hilal-e-Imtiaz by the government of Pakistan in recognition of his literary contributions to the Urdu language.
From 1950 to 2008, Ahmed Faraz received many accolades and praises internationally and locally.
He received six foreign awards for his literary contribution. Many famous singers of the Sub-Continent have crooned Faraz’s poetry including legendary vocalist Lata Mangeshkar.
He breathed his last on August 25, 2008 in Islamabad.
He left the world over 11 years ago yet remained alive through his poetry in the Urdu literary work. Faraz’s poetry instilled the spirit and verve of struggle, determination, and of course romance.
Meanwhile, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz said on Tuesday that famous Urdu poet Ahmed Faraz was a courageous person who never compromised on his principles and ideology.
Talking to media after offering Fateha at the graveyard of the great poet on the occasion of his 12th death anniversary, he said that he had dedicated his life for a cause and he never deviated from that cause.
Shibli said that the love and affection that his father Ahmed Faraz received from the people of Pakistan was unprecedented.
He said that the constituency of the late legendary poet was humanity, love and peace and he raised his voice against oppression in all parts of the world be it Kashmir, Palestinian or any African country.
He had universal approach but focus of his thoughts was Pakistan.
The minister said that poetry of great poets had many layers of meanings and we should try to understand the hidden message of those writers. He has always taken guidance from the poetry of his father, he added.
He said that he was thankful to the people of Pakistan who also gave him love and affection due to his father Ahmed Faraz.
While paying tribute to Ahmed Faraz, Chairman of the Pakistan Academy of Letters Dr. Yousuf Khushk said that late Ahmed Faraz was ambassador of entire Pakistan’s literary circle. He said Ahmed Faraz was founder of the Pakistan Academy of Letter.
Earlier, the minister laid wreath at the grave of late poet Ahmed Faraz and offered Fateha.
Later speaking at a ceremony at Academy of Letters to pay homage to late Ahmed Faraz, he said that on the occasion of the birth and death anniversaries of literary figures, their contribution should be discussed and highlighted.
He said that writings of poets and other literary figures are a reflection of the times in which they live.
Their writings not only highlight the problems and issues of their times but also provide solution to them, Shibli said.
He said that unfortunately the society had been degenerated and ethics and values had lost their importance and wealth had become the criterion of respect.
He said he had emotional attachment with Academy of Letters because its founder was his father and expressed the hope that it would expand its canvass.
He said that Ahmed Faraz was a unique literary personality who had a strong bond with the common man and whose message was love and sincerity.
