Faiz Ahmad Faiz, a Pakistani poet and author is considered to be “a man of wide experience” as he has been a journalist, an army officer, a trade unionist and a broadcaster. He is one of the most celebrated and popular shayars of 20th century. He was a living example of versatile creative mind offering its depths through writing. He is credited with countless couplets, radio players, children’s stories, letters to his wife and children and infinite travelogues. He is best known for his progressive writings which have an everlasting impression on the minds of people.
Maana ke ye sunsaan ghadi, sakht badi hai,
Lekin mere dil ye toh fakhat ek ghadi hai
Himat karo, jeene ko abhi umra padi hai
Faiz Ahmad Faiz’s above written couplet presents the most relevant lines especially for the present day Covid-19 catastrophe that has left no hope in humanity. Indeed it explains the beauty of hopefulness and that certainly the tough times shall pass. We shall overcome it and fight the darkness that has befallen over humans.
Faiz began his poetry with ghazals and steadily shifted his attention to nazm and is acknowledged as a renowned poet of both forms among progressive poets. He is equally praised in Indian subcontinent and abroad (western countries). His ghazals have been translated into several languages. He was felicitated with a large number of scholarly awards, particularly the Lenin Peace Prize in 1962 and his Gazals are sung even today by almost every popular singer. His compositions of poetry worth reading include: Naqsh-e-faryadi, Dast-e-saba, Zindaan Naama, Dast-e- Tah-e-Sang, Sar-e-Wadi-e-Seena, Sham-e-Sheher-e-Yaaran, Mere Dil Mere Musafir. Our tongues cannot stop but praise the rich writings that he has gifted the people with.
Tuba Naquib
Class XII
