Faiz Ahmed Faiz does not need an introduction. Urdu speaking masses knows him very well. He is remembered for his courage, ethics, and Urdu poetry. The truth is that the masses can never value people like him enough. However, the name of Faiz Ahmed Faiz is immortal in the annals of history now due to his contributions to the Urdu language and the society in general.
Faiz Ahmed Faiz was born in a small village near Sialkot in 1911. He was born in a very noble family. Following the traditions of the noble families of those times, Faiz was first sent to a religious institution for basic religious education. His formal education did not begin until he was 10 years old. Faiz was born to a very loving family. In his autobiography, he shared the details of his first day at school. Faiz was dressed in his best clothes and accessories. His sisters made up his hair. He was sent to school with a servant and in the best of the pull carts available at home.
From his early childhood, Faiz Ahmed Faiz was an ardent
Urdu reader. In fact, he loved the Urdu poetry. Faiz Ahmed Faiz was only in the 10th standard when he wrote some excellent Urdu verses. Although the quality of the verses was, good but one of his mentors told him that it would be better for the quality and scope of his Urdu poetry if he waits for some years before attempting at the poetry again.
Therefore, Faiz Ahmed Faiz did not write anything up until the completion of his education. Faiz Ahmed Faiz was an excellent student. He did masters in Arabic. He also did masters in English literature. In his masters exam once Faiz's teacher awarded him with 120 marks out of 100. When someone asked him that why he awarded a student 120 marks out of hundred; he simply replied, "Because I could not give more!" Such was the extent of Faiz's expertise in English language. Nevertheless, it did not make him break ties with his national language, Urdu.
Unlike the people of those times, Faiz chose to marry by choice. He married Elis Faiz, a very noble French woman. Elis Faiz proved to be an extremely good and understanding wife. She spent most of her life in Pakistan, even after Faiz's death. She was fluent in spoken Urdu. Elis and Faiz had two daughters, Muneeza and Saleema Hashmi. Both of them are popular personalities today.
Faiz Ahmed Faiz spent a lot of time in prison too in different eras of different rulers. In total, Faiz Ahmed Faiz spent 9 years in prison. In the times of prison, Faiz produced some excellent poetry.
Faiz Ahmed Faiz was a great man. People like him are born in centuries. He will be always remembered for standing up against tyrant rulers, and for his contributions to the Urdu language.
Hazaron saal nargis apni bay noori pe roti hai.
Bari mushkil se hota hai Chaman me deedawar Paida.
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