Faiz Ahmad Faiz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Faiz Ahmad Faiz
NI LPP MBE
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| Native name |
فیض احمد فیض
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| Born | 13 February 1914 Narowal, Sialkot District, Punjab, British India (Present day Punjab, Pakistan) |
| Died | 20 November 1984 (aged 73) Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Resting place | Model Town Graveyard, Lahore |
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| Language | |
| Nationality | British Indian (1911–1947) Pakistani (1947 - 1984) |
| Education | Arabic literature (B.A., M.A.) English literature (M.A.) |
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| Notable works | Subh-e-Azadi Naqsh-e-Faryadi Dast-e-Sabah Zindan-nama |
| Notable awards | Nigar Awards (1953) Lenin Peace Prize (1962) HRC Peace Prize Nishan-e-Imtiaz (1990) Avicenna Prize (2006) |
| Spouse | Alys Faiz |
| Children | Salima (b. 1942) Muneeza (b. 1946) |
| Relatives | Shoaib Hashmi (Son-in-law) |
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| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  British Empire |
| Service/ |
 British Indian Army |
| Years of service | 1942–1947 |
| Rank | Lieutenant-Colonel |
| Unit | 18 Garhwal Rifles |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE, 1945) |
| Website | |
| https://www.faizfoundationtrust.net/ | |
Faiz Ahmad Faiz (born February 13, 1911 – died November 20, 1984) was a famous Pakistani poet and writer. He wrote in Urdu and Punjabi. Faiz was one of the most popular and important Urdu writers of his time. His ideas are still very important in Pakistan and other countries today. Besides writing, he was also a teacher, army officer, journalist, and radio broadcaster.
Faiz was born in Sialkot District, Punjab, during British rule. He studied at Government College and Oriental College. He also served in the British Indian Army. After India and Pakistan became separate countries, Faiz worked as a chief editor for two big newspapers. These were the English newspaper Pakistan Times and the Urdu newspaper Imroze. He was also a leading member of a political group that believed in equality for everyone. In 1951, he was arrested and put in prison. This was because he was accused of being part of a plan to change the government.
Faiz was released after four years. He then spent time in Moscow and London. He became an important member of the Progressive Writers' Movement. After a government change in 1968 and the separation of Bangladesh, he worked for Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, a political leader. However, Faiz later moved to Beirut after Bhutto's death.
Faiz believed in Marxism, which is a way of thinking about society and economics. It focuses on how wealth and power are shared. He wanted a society where everyone was treated fairly and the poor were helped. Critics say Faiz helped spread these ideas to a younger generation. This generation was more open to new ideas and cared more about equality.
Faiz was the first Asian poet to win the Lenin Peace Prize in 1962 from the Soviet Union. He was also considered for the Nobel Prize in Literature. After he passed away, the Government of Pakistan gave him the nation's highest civilian award, the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, in 1990.
Contents
Personal Life and Education
Growing Up in Sialkot
Faiz Ahmad Faiz was born on February 13, 1911. His family lived in Kala Qader, which is now called Faiz Nagar. This area is in Sialkot District, Punjab, in what was then British India. Faiz came from a family that loved learning and literature. His home was often a place where local poets and writers met. They gathered to support reading and writing in his home province.
Faiz's father, Sultan Muhammad Khan, was a well-known lawyer. He worked for the British Government. He was also a self-taught person who wrote a book about Amir Abdur Rahman. Amir Abdur Rahman was a ruler of Imperial Afghanistan. Faiz's father came from a farming family. He worked as a shepherd when he was young. But he managed to study law at Cambridge University.
His School Days
Following a tradition in South Asia, Faiz's family sent him to study Islamic studies at a local mosque. There, he learned the basics of religious studies. He learned Arabic, Persian, Urdu, and the Quran. Faiz was also a Pakistani nationalist. He often said, "purify your hearts, so you can save the country..."
His father later took him out of the Islamic school. Faiz felt that the poor children there were not comfortable with him. He came to school in nice clothes in a horse-drawn carriage. The other students were from very poor families and sat on straw mats. Faiz's friend, Dr. Ayub Mirza, said that Faiz told his father he would not go to that school anymore. His father then enrolled him in the Scotch Mission School. A local British family ran this school.
Faiz attended Murray College in Sialkot for his high school studies. In 1926, he joined the Government College in Lahore. There, he was greatly influenced by his Arabic and English professors. One of his teachers, Professor Mir Hassan, also taught the famous poet and philosopher, Dr. Muhammad Iqbal.
In 1926, Faiz earned his first degree in Arabic. In 1932, he completed his master's degree in English literature. He also earned another degree from Punjab University's Oriental College. During his college years, he met people who encouraged him to join the Communist Party. Besides Urdu, English, and Arabic, Faiz also spoke French and Persian.
Family Life
In 1941, Faiz married Alys Faiz. She was British and was studying at the Government College University. Faiz taught poetry there. Their wedding took place in Srinagar. Alys later became a Pakistani citizen. Faiz and Alys had two daughters, Salima Hashmi and Muneeza Hashmi.
Faiz's Career Journey
Teaching and Writing
In 1935, Faiz started teaching English literature at Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College in Amritsar. Later, in 1937, he moved to Lahore. He became a professor at the Hailey College of Commerce. He taught basic courses in economics and business.
In 1936, Faiz joined a group called the Progressive Writers' Movement (PWM). He became its first secretary. This movement became very popular in both East and West Pakistan. In 1938, he became the chief editor of an Urdu magazine called "Adab-e-Latif." In 1941, Faiz published his first book, "Naqsh-e-Faryadi." He also joined the Pakistan Arts Council in 1947.
Faiz was a good friend of the Soviet poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko. Yevtushenko once said that Faiz's poetry was his autobiography. Faiz published eight books during his life and won many awards. He was a humanist and a lyrical poet. His popularity spread to India and the Soviet Union. His poetry often spoke out against unfair governments and oppression. Faiz always stuck to his beliefs, even when he was threatened by political groups in Pakistan.
Faiz's poems brought new styles to Urdu poetry, inspired by Western ideas. He was influenced by the works of Allama Iqbal and Mirza Ghalib. He blended modern Urdu with classical styles. Faiz often used his poetry to talk about the need for socialism in the country. He believed socialism could solve many of Pakistan's problems. He used Urdu poetry and ghazals to promote peaceful political ideas. Faiz often faced problems because of his revolutionary views. He was especially targeted for supporting women's and workers' rights.
Time in the Army
On May 11, 1942, Faiz joined the British Indian Army. He started as a second lieutenant in the 18th Royal Garhwal Rifles. He quickly moved up in rank. He became a captain and then a major. By 1945, he was a lieutenant-colonel. For his service, he received an award called the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
Faiz served with a unit led by Akbar Khan. After seeing the 1947 Kashmir war with India, Faiz decided to leave the army. He resigned in 1947.
Beliefs in Equality and Peace
Faiz believed in internationalism. This means he thought all people and countries should work together. In 1947, he became editor of the Pakistan Times. In 1948, he became vice-president of the Pakistan Trade Union Federation. In 1950, Faiz traveled to the United States with the Prime Minister. He attended meetings about workers' rights. He also became an active member of the World Peace Council.
Faiz was known for his belief in communism. He helped start the Communist Party of Pakistan in 1947. He felt that these ideas of fairness and equality matched his own progressive thinking. Faiz had strong ties with the Soviet Union. Even after his death, the Russian government called him "our poet."
Faiz was not an extreme communist. But he spent much of the 1950s and 1960s promoting the idea of communism in Pakistan. When he was editor of the Pakistan Times, he used the newspaper to support these ideas. He was also involved with military officers who shared his views. His involvement led to his imprisonment later on.
Once, a newspaper interviewer asked Faiz if he was a communist. He calmly replied, "No. I am not. A communist is a person who is a card-carrying member of the Communist party. The party is banned in our country. So how can I be a communist?..."
Political Challenges and Exile
In 1951, Faiz was accused of being involved in a political plot. This plot was linked to military leaders who were unhappy with the government. Faiz and other people were arrested. He was sentenced to four years in prison. He was held in different jails. His lawyer was Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy.
In 1955, Faiz's sentence was reduced. He then left for London, Great Britain. He returned in 1958 but was again held by the president. He was accused of spreading ideas that supported a pro-Moscow government. However, because of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's influence, Faiz was released in 1960. He then went to Moscow and later settled in London.
Return to Pakistan and Government Work
In 1964, Faiz came back to Pakistan and lived in Karachi. He became the head of Abdullah Haroon College. He had also served as the secretary of the Pakistan Arts Council from 1959 to 1962. He became its vice-president in 1962.
In 1965, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, a leader who believed in democratic socialism, brought Faiz into government. Bhutto was the Foreign Minister. He gave Faiz an honorary role at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Faiz helped encourage people to support Pakistan during the war with India. During the 1971 war, Faiz wrote poems and songs that spoke against the violence.
In 1972, Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto appointed Faiz as a culture adviser. He worked for the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Education. Faiz worked for Bhutto's government until 1974, when he retired.
Faiz was very close to Bhutto. He was deeply saddened when Bhutto was removed from power in 1977 by General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq. Faiz was again watched by the military police. In 1979, Faiz left Pakistan after learning about Bhutto's death. Faiz found safety in Beirut, Lebanon. There, he edited a magazine called Lotus. He met famous Arab figures like Edward Said and Yasser Arafat. But he returned to Pakistan in 1982 due to poor health and the ongoing war in Lebanon.
Faiz's Poetic Style and Themes
Faiz's early poems were about traditional ideas of romantic love and heartbreak. But his poetry soon grew to include themes of justice, rebellion, politics, and how all people are connected. So, even though many of his poems talk about love, critics mostly see him as a poet of justice and revolution. They say these themes are more important in his work. Other critics believe his poetry is a special mix of love and revolution. This mix appeals to modern readers who love someone but also care deeply about humanity.
Faiz's poetry is full of ideas about progress and revolution. He is often called "an artistic rebel." Many see him as the poet of those who are oppressed and struggling. He was known for showing their poverty, unfair treatment, economic problems, and political challenges. His poetry had strong leftist and anti-capitalist ideas. His poems almost always reflected his time, focusing on the suffering of ordinary people. Many of Faiz's poems also explore themes of home, being away from home, and loss. A researcher from UCLA said that a main theme in Faiz's poetry is the meaning and impact of the partition of India.
Faiz's writing style is sometimes described as being between romance and love, and realism and revolution. Even though he wrote a lot about justice, resistance, and revolution, Faiz rarely let political talk take over his poetry. He didn't believe in "art for art's sake" (art just for beauty). Faiz thought that art that doesn't inspire people to act isn't great art.
Faiz's poetry often uses religious symbols inspired by Sufism, not strict religious rules. His grandson says Faiz was especially influenced by Sufi figures like Rumi. He also regretted not having memorized more of the Quran. Ideologically, he suggested a form of Islamic socialism.
His prose (regular writing) was in a formal, classical Urdu style. But his poetry was more conversational and casual. His ghazals are praised for skillfully adding social, economic, and political issues into traditional love themes. Critics have noted that many of Faiz's poems start by showing readers harsh social realities. But they usually end with a message of hope that bad situations will get better.
Some critics say that the poems Faiz wrote in his later years were different. They had a more universal tone. They showed a greater urgency for change and action. They were also more direct in challenging old traditions.
Death and Lasting Impact
Faiz passed away in Lahore, Punjab, in 1984. He had lung and heart problems. This happened shortly after he was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Faiz lived a simple life, but his work and poetry became timeless. He is often called one of Pakistan's "greatest poets." Faiz remained a very popular and important figure in the development of Pakistan's arts, literature, and theater. In 1962, he received the Lenin Peace Prize. This award helped improve relations between Pakistan and the Soviet Union. The Lenin Peace Prize was like the Nobel Peace Prize in the Soviet Union. It helped Faiz's reputation grow around the world. It also brought the Soviet Union and Pakistan closer. Most of his work has been translated into Russian.
Faiz's work is seen as a foundation for Pakistan's literature, arts, and poetry. He was one of the most loved poets in the country. Along with Allama Iqbal, Faiz is often known as the "Poet of the East."
Awards and Global Recognition
Faiz was the first Asian poet to receive the Lenin Peace Prize from the Soviet Union in 1962. In 1976, he won the Lotus Prize for Literature. He was also nominated for the Nobel Prize just before he died in 1984.
In 1990, after his death, the Government of Pakistan honored Faiz. The government, led by Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, gave him the highest civilian award, the Nishan-e-Imtiaz. In 2011, the Pakistan government declared the year 2011 as "the year of Faiz Ahmad Faiz." They set up a "Faiz Chair" (a special teaching position) at the University of Karachi and Sindh University. The Government College University in Lahore also established a similar position. In 2012, at a ceremony to honor Faiz, people chanted: "The Faiz of workers is alive! The Faiz of farmers is alive...! Faiz is alive....!"
Translations of His Work
Faiz's poetry has been translated into many languages, including English and Russian. A Balochi poet, Mir Gul Khan Nasir, who was Faiz's friend, translated one of his books into Balochi. This translation was done while Gul Khan was in jail. It was published in 1980. Victor Kiernan, a British historian, translated Faiz's works into English. Many others have also translated parts or all of his work into English. A Punjabi version was made by Mohinder Singh.
Faiz Ahmad Faiz also translated works by famous poets from other languages into Urdu. In his book "Sar-i Waadi-i Seena," there are translations of the poet Rasul Gamzatov. A Balochi poem by Mir Gul Khan Naseer was also translated into Urdu by Faiz.
Plays, Music, and Shows About Faiz
- "Hum Dekhenge" (We Shall See) by Iqbal Bano is a famous song based on his poetry.
- Sheeshon ka Maseeha (Messiah of Mirrors) by Omer Khawaja and Shabana Azmi.
- Dard Aayega Dabe Paon (Pain Will Come Softly) by Sheela Bhatiya.
- Kuchh Ishq kiya Kuchh Kaam (Some Love Done, Some Work Done) was a play written by Danish Iqbal. It was first shown in New Delhi in 2011. This play celebrated Faiz's poetry and showed events from his early life. It focused on how events before Pakistan's independence shaped his life and ideas.
- Chand Roz Aur Meri Jaan (A Few More Days, My Love) was a dramatic reading of letters between Faiz and his wife, Alys Faiz. This was performed in New Delhi and Amritsar.
- The 2011 Drama Festival of Delhi Urdu Academy focused on plays about Faiz. It included Kuchh Ishq kiya Kuchh Kaam and Chand Roz Aur Meri Jaan. It also featured Jo Dil Pe Guzarti Hai and Tera Bayaan Ghalib, which was a radio play by Faiz.
- Ye Dagh Dagh Ujala (This Stained, Spotted Light) is a deep poem by Faiz. It inspired Raj Amit Kumar to make a film called Unfreedom. This film was released in 2015. It explored the lack of freedom in India's society today.
- Jatt and Juliet also drew inspiration from Faiz's poetry.
Faiz Foundation Trust and International Faiz Festival
The Faiz Foundation Trust was created in 2009. It owns the rights to all of Faiz Ahmad Faiz's writings. It also runs a non-profit organization called Faiz Ghar (House of Faiz). Its goal is to promote Faiz's ideas about humanity, art, literature, and culture. The organization also keeps Faiz's personal library and many of his belongings. These include rare photos, diplomas, letters, and manuscripts.
In 2015, the Faiz Foundation Trust started the first International Faiz Festival. They worked with the Lahore Arts Council in Lahore, Pakistan. This festival has been held regularly since then. It aims to promote Urdu poetry, music, literature, drama, and human rights in Pakistan.
See also
- List of Urdu-language writers
