Biography of Romantic Urdu Poet Ahmad Faraz

Early Life and Education

Ahmad Faraz, whose real name was Syed Ahmad Shah, was born on January 12, 1931, in Kohat, British India (now in Pakistan). He belonged to a literary family and was exposed to the world of poetry from a young age. He acquired his initial education in Kohat and later pursued a Master's degree in Urdu and Persian literature from Peshawar University.

Literary Journey

Ahmad Faraz emerged as a prominent figure in the world of Urdu poetry during the 20th century. His poetry was deeply influenced by the classical and traditional aspects of Urdu literature, while also reflecting modern sensibilities. He adopted the pen name "Faraz," which means "elevated" in Urdu, signifying his aspiration for poetic excellence.

Romantic Themes

Faraz gained immense popularity for his romantic poetry, which beautifully encapsulated the complexities of love, heartache, and longing. His verses often explored the depths of human emotions and relationships, resonating with readers who were captivated by his eloquent expression of love and desire.

Social and Political Influence

Faraz was not only a master of romantic poetry but also engaged with socio-political issues through his verses. His poetry often conveyed his concerns about the state of society and politics, and he was known for his progressive and liberal views. During periods of political turmoil in Pakistan, his poems would take on a reflective and critical tone, making him a voice of dissent.

Exile and Return

Faraz faced censorship and political pressure due to his outspoken views, leading him to go into self-imposed exile in the 1990s during the regime of General Zia-ul-Haq. He lived in London and Canada for several years. He returned to Pakistan in 1994 after the political climate improved.

Legacy

Ahmad Faraz's contribution to Urdu poetry is immeasurable. His romantic and socially conscious verses continue to resonate with readers across generations. His poetry collections, including "Tanha Tanha," "Janan Janan," and "Naye Chand Ki Khushboo," have become classics of Urdu literature.

Passing Away

Ahmad Faraz passed away on August 25, 2008, in Islamabad, Pakistan, leaving behind a legacy that remains an integral part of the Urdu literary canon. His poetry continues to inspire and move people, reminding them of the timeless beauty of love and the power of words to express the human experience.

Conclusion

Ahmad Faraz, a renowned romantic Urdu poet, not only touched hearts with his emotional verses but also contributed to the socio-political discourse of his time. His poetry remains a testament to the enduring power of language to convey the depth of human emotions and to engage with the world around us.

Sample Of Poetry 

Ghazal No 1 

as nay dkh saray zmanay ka mjhay bkhsh dea

phr bhe lalch ka tqaza hay khon، kchh km hay

hm to khosh thay kh chlo dl ka jnon kchh km hay

ab jo aaram bht hay to skon kchh km hay

rng greh nay dkhae'e nhen agle se bhar

ab kay lgta hay kh aamezsh khon kchh km hay

ab tra hjr mslsl hay to yh bhed kُhla

ghm dl say ghm dnea ka fson kchh km hay

as nay dkh saray zmanay ka mjhay bkhsh dea

phr bhe lalch ka tqaza hay khon، kchh km hay

rah dnea say nhen، dl ke gzrgah say aa

faslh grchh zeadh hay ph yon kchh km hay

to nay dekha he nhen mjh ko bhlay oqton men

eh khrabe kh men js hal men hon kchh km hay

aag he aag mray qreۂ tn men hay frazؔ

phr bhe lgta hay abhe sozِ dron kchh km hay

Ahmad Faraz

Ghazal No 2 

dost bn kr bhe nhen sath nbhanay oala

ohe  andaz  hay  zalm  ka ـــــــــ zmanay  oala

ab asay log smjhtay hen ، grftar mِra

skht nadm hay mjhay dam men lanay oala

sbh dm chhorr gea ، nkht gl ke sort

rat  ko  ghnch  dl  men  smt  aanay  oala

kea khen ـــــ kِtnay mrasm thay hmaray as say

oh jo ak shkhs hay ، mnh pher kay janay oala

teray hotay hoe'ay aa jate the sare dnea

aaj  tnha  hon  to  koe'e  nhen  aanay  oala

mntzr ks ka hon tote hoe'e dhlez ph men

kon  aae'ay  ga   yhan ـــــــــ kon  hay  aanay  oala

kea khbr the jo mre jan men ghla hay atna

hay  ohe  mjh  ko  sr  dar  bhe  lanay  oala

men nay dekha hay bharon men chmn ko jltay

hay  koe'e ــــــــ khoab  ke  taber  btanay  oala

tm tklf ko bhe akhlas smjhtay ho frazؔ

dost  hota  nhen ،  hr   hath   mlanay   oala

Ahmad Faraz

Ghazal No 3 

brson kay bad dekha ak shkhs dlrُba sa

ab zhn men nhen hay ، pr nam tha  bhla  sa

abro khnchay khnchay say aankhen jhke jhke se

baten   rke  rke  se   ،   lhjh   thka   thka   sa

alfaz thay kh jgno ،  aaoaz kay sfr men thay

bn jae'ay jnglon men js trh rasth sa

khoabon men khoab askay yadon men yad aske

nendon  men  ghl  gea  ho  jesay  rtjga  sa

phlay bhe  log  aae'ay  ktnay  he  zndge  men

oh hr trh say lekn aoron say tha jda sa

agle mhbton nay oh na mradean den

tazh rfaqton say dl tha dra dra sa

kchh yh kh mdton say hm bhe nhen thay roe'ay

kchh  zhr  men  bُjha  tha  ahbab  ka  dlasa

phr yon hoa kay saon aankhon men aa bsay thay

phr  yon hoa kh jesay ،  dl bhe  tha  aablh sa

ab sch khen to yaro hm ko khbr nhen the

bn  jae'ay  ga   qeamt ، ak  oaqah  zra  sa

teor thay bay rkhe kay andaz doste kay

oh ajnbe tha lekn lgta  tha  aashna  sa

hm dsht thay kh drea ، hm zhr thay kh amrt

nahq tha zam hm ko jb oh nhen tha peasa

Ahmad Faraz 

Ghazal No 4 

chnd lmhon kay le'ay to nay msehae'e ke

phr ohe men hon، ohe amr hay tnhae'e ke

ks ph gzre nh shb hjr qeamt ke trh

frq atna hay، kh hm nay skhn aarae'e ke

apne banhon men smt aae'e hay oh qos qzh

log tsoer he khencha keay angrrae'e ke

ghert ashq bَja، tanۂ yaran tslem

bat krtay hen mgr، sb ase hrjae'e ke

an ko bholay hen to، kchh aor preshan hen fraz

apne danst men dl nay brre danae'e ke

Ahmad Faraz 

Ghazal No 5 

ab kay tjded ofa ka nhen amkan janan

ead kea tjh ko dlae'en tera peman janan

eon he mosm ke ada dekh kay yad aaea hay

ks qdr jld bdl jatay hen ansan janan

zndge tere ata the so teray nam ke hay

hm nay jesay bhe bsr ke tera ahsan janan

dl yh khta hay kh shaed ho fُsrdh to bhe

dl ke kea bat kren dl to hay nadan janan

mdton say yhe aalm nh toqa nh amed

dl pkaray he chla jata hay jana! janan !

hm bhe kea sadh thayhm naybhe smjh rkhatha

ghm doran say jda hay ghm janan janan

hm، kh rothe hoe rt ko bhe mnaletaythay

hm nay dekha he nh tha mosm hjran janan

hosh aaea to sb he khak thay rezh rezh 

jesay arrtay hoe'ay aoraq preshan janan

Ahmad Faraz