Ahmed Faraz (1931 - 2008) was a legendary Urdu poet whose poetry encompassed a wide range of themes, making him one of the most versatile poets of his time. Born as Syed Ahmed Shah on January 12, 1931, in Kohat, he was deeply influenced by literature and went on to earn an MA in Urdu and Persian from Edwardes College, Peshawar. Encouraged by Faiz Ahmed Faiz, he adopted the pen name "Faraz." His poetic genius extended across multiple genres, including ghazal, nazm, naat, patriotic poetry, romance, and social criticism, etc. capturing the essence of love, resistance, philosophy, and social justice. His fearless critique of political regimes led to his imprisonment and years of exile in Canada and Europe. Faraz’s poetry beautifully blends romance with rebellion, introspection with revolution, and devotion with defiance, making him an immortal voice in Urdu literature. His remarkable contributions earned him prestigious honors, including the Hilal-e-Imtiaz and Adamjee Award. His celebrated works include Janaan Janaan, Tanha Tanha, Nayaft, and Ye Sab Meri Awazen Hain.
Reason Behind his Fame?
Ahmed Faraz was truly a "living poet" because his poetry breathed the struggles, emotions, and truths of society. His verses were not just expressions of love and beauty but also voices of protest (ihtijaj) against oppression, injustice, and political tyranny.
The quote by Dr. Arfa Syeda Zehra "Zindagi ihtijaj karti hai" (Life protests) perfectly aligns with his poetic essence. Faraz didn’t just write poetry; he captured the harsh realities of life, questioned authority, and stood up for the voiceless. Whether it was romantic poetry, revolutionary verses, or patriotic expressions, his words reflected a poet who lived, felt, and resisted through his poetry. This makes him one of the greatest Urdu poets of all time!
