Shan-ul-Haq Haqqee facts for kids

Shan-ul-Haq Haqqee was a very important writer, poet, and language expert from Pakistan. He was known for his amazing work with the Urdu language. He wrote poems, stories, and even helped create big dictionaries. He also worked as a journalist, a radio host, and a translator.

Shan-ul-Haq Haqqee's Early Life

Shan-ul-Haq Haqqee was born in Delhi on September 15, 1917. He went to Aligarh Muslim University and earned a degree there. Later, he studied English literature at St. Stephen's College, Delhi.

His father, Ehtashamuddin Haqqee, was also a writer. He wrote short stories and helped with a huge Urdu dictionary. So, Shan-ul-Haq grew up in a family that loved books and words.

His Amazing Books and Poems

Shan-ul-Haq Haqqee wrote many different kinds of books and poems. He published two collections of his own poems: Taar-i-Pairahan in 1957 and Harf-i-Dilras in 1979. He also wrote ghazals, which are a special type of poem, under the title Dil ki Zaban.

He also translated many important works into Urdu, making them available to more people. For example, he translated the Bhagvad Gita, an ancient Indian text. He also translated famous plays like Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra. Another interesting translation was Anjaan Rahi, which was the Urdu version of the novel Shane.

Shan-ul-Haq also wrote short stories, research articles about Urdu poetry, and even children's songs. He helped put together a collection of folk poetry from Pakistan called Khayabaan-e-Pak.

Building Dictionaries: A Lexicographer's Work

One of Shan-ul-Haq Haqqee's most important jobs was being a lexicographer. A lexicographer is someone who writes and edits dictionaries. He worked for the Urdu Dictionary Board for 17 years. During this time, he helped create a massive 22-volume Urdu dictionary!

He also put together two other important dictionaries:

• Farhang-e-Talaffuz: This was a special dictionary that helped people learn how to pronounce Urdu words correctly.
• Oxford English-Urdu Dictionary: This dictionary translated words between English and Urdu.

His friend, Iftikhar Arif, who was also a famous writer, said that Haqqee worked very hard. He believed it was super important to use words correctly and pronounce them clearly.

Awards and Honors

Shan-ul-Haq Haqqee received several important awards for his contributions to literature and language:

• Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence): This is a high honor given by the President of Pakistan.
• Tamgha-e-Quaid-e-Azam: This award was given to him by Ayub Khan (President of Pakistan).

Later Life and Passing

Shan-ul-Haq Haqqee passed away on October 11, 2005, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. He was 87 years old. He had five sons and one daughter.

He was buried in Canada, just like his wife, Salma Haqqee, who had passed away two years earlier. His wife was also a well-educated person and supported his passion for his work throughout their married life.