End of an Era

Amjad Islam Amjad’s death has deprived the country of a great author and poet

Karachi: Amjad Islam Amjad, a legendary Urdu poet, playwright, educationist, columnist and a critic, breathed his last at the age of 78 in Lahore after suffering a heart attack.

Amjad, one of the greatest names in contemporary Urdu literature, was born on August 4, 1944 in Lahore. He did his Masters in Urdu from the University of Punjab in 1967. In 1968, he was appointed as a professor in the Urdu Department of the MAO College, Lahore. He continued to be a professor until 1975. In the same year, he became the deputy director of the Punjab’s Arts Council and later worked as a director at the Pakistan Television Corporation from 1975 to 1979.

His relentless journey of impressive, soul-elevating and award-winning poetry has covered diverse milestones such as Shifting Sands, Ham Us Kay Hain, Sahilon Ki Hawa, Phir Yun Huwa, Zara Phir Se Kehna, Itne Khawb Kahan Rakhun Ga and many more.

He made a significant contribution to the Pakistani literature and was one of the finest poets and lyricists of his time. He wrote numerous poems and lyrics for dramas and films, which earned him widespread recognition and respect.

Amjad also received numerous awards, including the Pride of Performance, Sitara-e-Imtiaz, Tamgha-e-Imtiaz and many international accolades such as the Necip Fazil International Culture and Art Award presented to him by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his services to the Urdu literature.

Besides, writing over 70 books in a career spanning over 50 years, he penned some of the most memorable television dramas including Waris, Samandar, Dehleez, Din, Raat, Waqt, Fishaar, Inkaar, etc.

Amjad’s poetry collection ‘Barzakh’ and translations of modern Arabic poems, published under the title of ‘Aks’, his translation of poems by African poets under the title of “Kalay Logon ki Roshan Nazmein, while the book of critical essays published under the title of ‘Tasalsul’ became very popular among his fans.

Amjad cultivated a generation of intellectuals through his plays and writings. The charisma of his poetry and other literary works will continue to haunt us for a long time.

He was hugely popular among the Urdu lovers around the world due to his excellent poetry and screenplays. He had been a regular feature at the literary gatherings, not only in Pakistan but across the world, especially India, the US and Canada for the last four decades.

His death has definitely deprived the country of a great author and poet and has left a huge void in the world of Urdu literature. His words will live on, though, inspiring generations to come. With him, a golden age of Urdu literature has come to an end.

His death has sent shockwaves not only among the literary circles but also among his fans, especially the young generation, who adored him for his heart-touching poetry. He will be greatly missed.