Ahmad Faraz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
HP HI SI
Ahmed Faraz
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![]() Ahmad Faraz, in Toronto 2005
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Native name |
احمد فراز
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Born | Syed Ahmad Shah Ali 12 January 1931 Kohat, NWFP, British India (now Pakistan) |
Died | 25 August 2008 Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan |
(aged 77)
Pen name | Faraz Urdu: فراز |
Occupation | Urdu Poet, Lecturer |
Nationality | Pakistani |
Citizenship | Pakistani |
Education | Urdu literature M.A Persian literature M.A |
Alma mater | Edwardes College, University of Peshawar |
Period | 1950–2008 |
Genre | Urdu Ghazal |
Subject | Romance, Politics, Resistance |
Literary movement | Democratic Movement |
Notable awards | Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) Award Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence) Award Hilal-e-Pakistan (Crescent of Pakistan) Award Nigar Awards |
Children | Saadi, Shibli Faraz and Sarmad Faraz |
Syed Ahmad Shah (Urdu: سید احمد شاہ), known to many as Ahmed Faraz, was a famous Pakistani Urdu poet. He was born on January 12, 1931, and passed away on August 25, 2008. Faraz was also a scriptwriter and helped start the Pakistan Academy of Letters. He wrote his poems using the pen name Faraz. He was known for speaking out against unfair government rules in his country.
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Early Life and Education
Ahmed Faraz was born as Syed Ahmad Shah in Kohat, which is now part of Pakistan. His father was Syed Muhammad Shah Bark. His brother, Masood Kausar, later became a governor. Faraz's family moved to Peshawar when he was young.
He went to Edwardes College in Peshawar. Later, he earned his Master's degrees in Urdu and Persian from Peshawar University. During his college days, two well-known poets, Faiz Ahmad Faiz and Ali Sardar Jafri, greatly inspired him. They became his role models.
His Amazing Poetry
Ahmed Faraz wrote many popular poems. His works include Pas Andaaz, Sab Awazain Meri, Khuwab Gul, Janan Janan, and Ghazal Bahana Karoon.
His poetry became very famous, especially his ghazals. Many well-known singers, like Mehdi Hassan, Noor Jehan, Ghulam Ali, Pankaj Udhas, Jagjit Singh, and Runa Laila, sang his poems. They performed his ghazals in movies and live concerts, making them popular with many people.
Faraz also worked as the Chairman of the National Book Foundation in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Standing Up for What's Right
Ahmed Faraz was brave and often wrote poems that criticized military leaders in Pakistan. Because of his writings, he was arrested during the time of General Zia-ul-Haq. After this, he decided to live outside Pakistan for a few years. He spent three years in places like Britain, Canada, and Europe.
When he returned to Pakistan, he was appointed as the Chairman of the Pakistan Academy of Letters. Later, he also served as the chairperson of the National Book Foundation for several years.
Awards and Recognition
Ahmed Faraz received several important awards from the Government of Pakistan. First, he was given the Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence). Later, in 2004, he received the Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence) from the President of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf.
However, two years later, in 2006, Faraz returned this award. He did this to show his disagreement with the government's actions at that time. After his death, on August 25, 2008, the Government of Pakistan honored him again. They gave him the Hilal-e-Pakistan (Crescent of Pakistan) award after he passed away. This was to recognize his great contributions to poetry and Urdu literature.
His Lasting Legacy
Ahmed Faraz passed away on August 25, 2008, in a hospital in Islamabad due to kidney failure. His son, Shibli Faraz, confirmed his death. His funeral was attended by many fans and government officials.
Faraz is remembered as one of the most important and inspiring Urdu poets of the last century. He was very skilled with words and could express deep meanings in just a few lines. His poetry continues to touch the hearts of many people.
See Also
- List of Urdu-language writers