Biography of Revolutionary Urdu Poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz

Early Life and Education

Faiz Ahmad Faiz, a renowned revolutionary Urdu poet, was born on February 13, 1911, in Sialkot, British India (now in Pakistan). He came from a family deeply involved in education and literature. His father, Sultan Muhammad Khan, was a scholar and professor of Islamic studies, which influenced Faiz's intellectual upbringing.

Education and Literary Pursuits

Faiz Ahmad Faiz graduated from Murray College in Sialkot and later attended Government College in Lahore. He displayed his literary talents during his college years, becoming part of the Progressive Writers' Movement, a group of writers and intellectuals committed to addressing social and political issues through literature. Faiz's early poetry reflected his concern for the marginalized and his belief in social justice.

Journalism and Activism

In the 1930s, Faiz Ahmad Faiz started his career in journalism by working for various newspapers. He also joined the Communist Party of India and became actively involved in advocating for workers' rights and social justice. His writing often criticized colonialism, imperialism, and inequality, making him a prominent voice in the struggle for independence.

Literary Achievements

Faiz's poetry was deeply intertwined with his political beliefs. His poems combined classical Urdu poetic forms with contemporary themes of equality and freedom. His notable collections include "Naqsh-e-Faryadi" (1941), "Dast-e-Saba" (1952), and "Zindan-Nama" (1984), which he wrote during his imprisonment.

Imprisonment and Exile

Due to his leftist activism and critical poetry, Faiz Ahmad Faiz faced several arrests and imprisonments, including during the Rawalpindi Conspiracy Case in 1951. Despite these challenges, his poetry continued to inspire others and gain widespread recognition.

Legacy and Influence

Faiz Ahmad Faiz's poetry resonated with people across borders and ideological differences. His revolutionary verses transcended linguistic barriers, making him a celebrated poet in both Pakistan and India. His work has been translated into multiple languages and continues to be celebrated for its universal themes of social justice, human rights, and compassion.

Awards and Recognition

Faiz received numerous awards for his contributions to literature, including the Lenin Peace Prize in 1963 and the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Order of Excellence) by the Government of Pakistan in 1990. His poetry remains relevant, inspiring successive generations of poets, writers, and activists.

Later Years and Passing

Faiz Ahmad Faiz passed away on November 20, 1984, in Lahore, Pakistan. His death marked the end of a life dedicated to the pursuit of social justice, artistic excellence, and the upliftment of the downtrodden through his powerful poetry.

Conclusion

Faiz Ahmad Faiz's legacy as a revolutionary Urdu poet endures through his timeless verses that advocate for equality, freedom, and human dignity. His contribution to literature and activism remains an inspiration for those who seek to use their creative expressions to bring about positive societal change.

Sample Of Poetry 

Ghazal No 1 

aaj phr drd o ghm kay dhagay men

hm pro kr tray kheal kay phol

trk alft kay dsht say chn kr

aashnae'e kay mah o sal kay phُol

tere dhlez pr sja aae'ay

phr tre yad pr chrrha aae'ay

bandh kr aarzo kay play men

hjr ke rakh aor osal kay phol...!!

Faiz Ahmad Faiz

Ghazal No 2 

yon sja chand kh jhlka tray andaz ka rng

eon fza mhke kh bdla  mray hmraz ka rng

saeۂ chshm men‌heran rkh roshn ka jmal

srkhe lb men‌ preshan   tre aaoaz ka rng

bay pe'ay hon،،،،،، kh agr ltf kro aakhr shb

sheshۂ may men‌ dhlay sbh kay aaghaz ka rng

chng o nay rng ph thay apnay lho kay dm say

dl nay lay bdle to mdhm hُoa hr saz ka rng

ak skhn  aor،،،،،،،،، kh phr rng  tklm tera

hrf sadh ko anaet  kray aajaz ka rng

Faiz Ahmad Faiz 

Ghazal No 3 

sham fraq ، ab nh pochh ــــ aae'e ،  aor  aa kay  tl  ge'e

dl tha kh phr bhl gea، jan the kh phr snbhl ge'e

bzm kheal men tray hsn ke shma jl ge'e

drd ka chand bojh gea hjr ke rat dhl ge'e

jb tjhay yad kr lea ، sobh mhk mhk athe

jb  tra  ghm  jga  lea ، rat mchl mchl ge'e

dl say to hr maamlh kr kay chlay thay saf hm

khnay men an kay samnay ، bat  bdl  bdl  ge'e

aakhrِ shb kay hm sfr fezؔ  njanay  kea  hُoe'ay

rh ge'e ks jgh sba ، sbh kdhr nkl ge'e

Faiz Ahmad Faiz

Ghazal No 4 

rng phrhn ka ، khshbo zlf lhranay ka nam 

mosm gl hay tmharay bam pr aanay ka nam 

dosto، as chshm o lb ke kchh kho js kay bgher 

glstan ke bat rngen hay، nh mekhanay ka nam 

phr nzr men phol mhkay، dl men phr shmaen jlen 

phr tsor nay lea as bzm men janay ka nam 

dlbre thra zban khlq khloanay ka nam 

ab nhe letay pre ro zlf bkhranay ka nam 

ab kse lele' ko bhe aqrar mhbobe nhen 

an dnon bdnam hay hr aek deoanay ka nam 

mhtsb ke kher ، aoncha hay ase kay fez say 

rnd ka ، saqe ka، me'ay ka، khm ka، pemanay ka nam 

hm say khtay hen chmn oalay ، ghreban chmn!

tm koe' achha sa rkh ko apnay oeranay ka nam 

fez an ko hay tqazae'ay ofa hm say jnhen 

aashna kay nam say peara hay beganay ka nam

Faiz Ahmad Faiz 

Ghazal No 5 

glon men rng bhray bad no bhar chlay

chlay bhe aaؤ kh glshn ka karobar chlay

qfs adas hay yaro sba say kchh to kho

khen to bhr khda aaj zkrِ yar chlay

kbhe to sbh tray knj lb say ho aaghaz

kbhe to shb sr kakl say mshkbar chlay

brra hay drd ka rshth، yh dl ghreb she

tmharay nam ph aae'en gay ghmgsar chlay

jo hm ph gzre so gzre mgr shbِ hjran

hmaray ashk tre aaqbt snoar chlay

hzor yar hoe'e dftr jnon ke tlb

grh men lay kay greban ka tar tar chlay

mqam، fezؔ، koe'e rah men jcha he nhen

jo koe'ay yar say nklay to soe'ay dar chlay

Faiz Ahmad Faiz