LAHORE: The 12th death anniversary of renowned and progressive poet Ahmed Faraz is being observed today.
Born on 12th January 1931 in Kohat, as Syed Ahmed Shah, he was considered as one of the greatest modern Urdu poets of his time. He moved to Peshawar with his family, where he studied infamous Edwardes College and received a Masters in Urdu and Persian from Peshawar University.
The progressive poets Faiz Ahmad Faiz and Ali Sardar Jafri were his friends during college days, who impressed him and became his role models.
Faraz has been compared with Faiz Ahmad Faiz and holds a unique position as one of the best poets of current times, with a fine but simple style of writing, which can be understood by common people.
Faraz wrote extensively on romantic themes but he also used poetry as an instrument for political resistance. He was a member of the Progressive Writers Movement (PWM) as well.
Faraz was detained during the Zia era for writing poems that targeted the military. He went on to live in exile for a number of years and produced some of his most acclaimed literary writings during this tenure.
Upon his return to the country, he was appointed as Pakistan Academy of Letters Chairman and also served as chairperson of the National Book Foundation.
Ahmad Faraz was the recipient of a number of national and international accolades, including the Nagar Award, Sitara-e-Imtiaz and Hilal-e-Imtiaz. Faraz died after suffering from kidney failure and was buried in Islamabad’s H-8 graveyard.
His works include Tanha Tanha, Dard-e-Ashub, Nayaft, Shab Khoon, Meray Khwab Reza Reza, Janan Janan, Beawaz Gali Kochon Mein, Nabina Shehr, Sub Awazein Meri Hein, Pasandaz Mausam. Bodlik, Ghazal Bahana Karun, and Aye Ishq-e-Junoon.
His son and current Information Minister Shibli Faraz has the work of great poets such as Ahmad Faraz is a guidance for all of us.
Speaking to reporters at H-8/1 graveyard, he said Ahmad Faraz always gave the message of peace and love for humanity. He was Ahmed Faraz was sincere in his message and never compromised on his principles.
He said the love Ahmad Faraz received from the people has no parallel in the country’s literary history. He said Ahmad Faraz always raised voice against the excesses and oppression perpetrated in Kashmir, Palestine, or any other part of the world.
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