Urdu poet well known for his “creative and polemical writings”.
Faiz idolised humanism and utilised the pen as an instrument for social change. His poetry combines “the personal and the political in a strong sinuous line, and borrows from the older, majestic traditions of Persian and Arabic verse”. He was imprisoned several times for his writings that dared to tackle political and social issues and soon became a symbol of protest against oppressive government of his time.
Faiz’s early writings “evolved against the turbulent political background of the Indian sub-continent”. His collections included Naq’sh-i-Farya’di, Daste-i-Saba, Zin’dan Na’mah, Dast-i-tah-i-Sang, Naq’sh Haie Wa’fa etc.
Faiz is a magic name amongst lovers of Urdu poetry – he has moved millions by exquisite tapestry of his expression and the creativeness of his thought as conveyed through the inimitable vehicle of his poems. He is considered as one of the foremost Urdu poets.
Faiz was awarded Lenin Peace Prize (1962), Lotus, the Afro-Asian Literary Award (1972) and after his death Nishan-i-Pakistan (1990). UNESCO has brought out an English translation of some of his poems by V G Kiernan – a superb translator, who manages with distinction both the English and Urdu languages. In the introduction, Faiz has been described as one who “has always been on the side of progress.”
Faiz’s legacy to common person is his “investment of a classical poetic heritage with a new and dynamic dimension, one which highlights universal sharing, compassion, and a sympathetic correlatedness of cultural and political similarities.”
Faiz who was mild-mannered and “humanistic socialist” was born in Sialkot and died in Lahore, Pakistan.