He was born in 1904 in a village near Baramula, Kashmir.

Chiragh Hasan Hasrat was a prolific satirist and journalist. Most of what he wrote had a streak of humor in it and he was perhaps more of a humorist than anything else.

Chiragh Hasan Hasrat wrote 16 books. His humour drew upon current affairs but it is natural and his command over the Urdu language, his wit, metaphors and allusion made it a real treat for anybody who is well-read.

Hasrat fell ill and died in Lahore on June 26, 1955 at Lahore.

 

Mirza Azeem Baig Chughtai (December 30, 1928 – February 17, 2009), known in literary circles by his pen name Shabnam Romani, was a renowned Urdu poet based in Karachi, Pakistan. Shabnam Romani wrote a number of books including Jazeera, Doosra Himala, and Tohmat. Romani was born in Shahjahanpur, India, but moved to Pakistan and lived most of his life in Karachi. He was the publisher and editor of Quarterly Aqdar, a literary Urdu magazine, . He wrote a regular column in Daily “Mashriq” Karachi.At the age of 80, Romani died on February 17, 2009 after a long illness Faisal Azeem, one of Romani’s two sons, is a poet based in Canada–his book “Meri AankhoN saay Dekho” was published in 2007.

Shabnam’s works
. Masnavi Sair Karachi (1959)

. Jazeera

. Tohhmat

. Hurf Nissbat

Birth

Iqbal was born in the Punjab on February 22, 1873. His ancestors, who were Kashmiri Brahmins, had embraced Islam two hundred years earlier. Iqbal’s own father was a devout Muslim with Sufistic bent of mind.

Primary Education

He received his early education in Sialkot. After passing the entrance examination, he joined Intermediary College. Mir Hassan, a great oriental scholar, had a special aptitude for imparting his own literary taste and to his students. Under his influence, Iqbal was drawn towards Islamic studies, which he regarded to be an outstanding favor that he could not forget it all his life.

Higher Education

Passing on to the Government College of Lahore, Iqbal did his graduation with English Literature, Philosophy and Arabic as his subjects. At the college he met Prof. Arnold and Sir Abdul Qadir. Iqbal’s poem, Chand (moon) and other early poems appeared in the journal (which belonged to Sir Abdul Qadir) in 1901 and were acclaimed by critics as cutting a new path in Urdu poetry.

It did not take him long to win recognition as a rising star on the firmament of Urdu literature.

In the mean time he had done his MA in Philosophy and was appointed as a Lecturer in History, Philosophy and Political science at Oriental College, Lahore. He then moved to Government College to teach Philosophy and English Literature.

Wherever Iqbal worked or thought his versatility and scholarship made a deep impression on those around him.

In Europe

Iqbal proceeded to Europe for higher studies in 1905 and stayed there for three years. He took the Honors Degree in Philosophy and taught Arabic at the Cambridge University in the absence of Prof. Arnold. From England, he went to Germany to do his doctorate in Philosophy from Munich and then returned to London to qualify for the bar. He also served as a teacher in the London school of Commerce and passed the Honors Examination in Economics and Political Science. During his stay in Europe Iqbal not only read voraciously but also wrote and lectured on Islamic subjects which added to his popularity and fame in literary circles.

Back in India

Iqbal returned to India in 1908. The poet had won all these academic laurels by the time he was 32 or 33. He practiced as a lawyer from 1908 to 1934, when ill health compelled him to give up his practice. In fact, his heart was not in it and he devoted more time to philosophy and literature than to legal profession.

He attended the meetings of Anjuman Himayat-I-Islam regularly at Lahore. The epoch making poems, Shikwa and Jawab-e-Shikwa, which he read out in the annual convention of it one year after another, sparkled with the glow of his genius and made him immensely popular. They became the national songs of Millet.

Iqbal’s other poems Tarana-e-Hind (The Indian anthem) and Tarana-e-Milli (the Muslim Anthem) also became very popular among masses and used to be sung as symbols of National or Muslim identity at public meetings.

The spirit of Change

The Balkan wars and the Battle of Tripoli, in 1910, shook Iqbal powerfully and inflicted a deep wound upon his heart. In his mood of anger and frustration, he wrote a number of stirring poems, which together with portraying the anguish of Muslims were severely critical of the West.

The spirit of change is evident in poems like Bilad-e-Islamia (the lands of Islam), Wataniat (Nationalism), Muslim, Fatima Bint Abdullah (who was killed in the siege of Cyrainca, Siddiq, Bilal, Tahzib-e-Hazir (Modern civilization) and Huzoor-e-Risalat Maab Mein (in the presence of Sacred Prophet).

In these poems, Iqbal deplores the attitude of Muslim leaders who lay a claim to Islamic leadership and yet are devoid of a genuine spiritual attachment to the blessed Prophet.

The turning point in Iqbal’s Life

Iqbal was shaken by the tragic events of World War I and the disaster the Muslims had to face. The genius had passed through the formative period. He had attained maturity as a poet, thinker, seer and crusader who could read the signs of tomorrow in the happenings of today, make predictions, present hard facts and unravel abstruse truths through the medium of poetry and ignite the flame of faith, Selfhood and courage by his own intensity of feeling and force of expression. Khizr-e-Raah (The Guide) occupies the place of pride among the poems he wrote during this period. Bang-e-Dara (The caravan bell) published in 1929 has held a place of honor in Urdu poetry and world poetry.

Iqbal preferred Persian for poetic expression because its circle was wider than that of Urdu in Muslim India. His Persian works, Asrar-e-khudi (Secrets of the self), Rumuz-e-Bekhudi (Mysteries of Selflessness), Payam-e-Mashriq (Message of the East), Javed Nama (The Song of Eternity) belong to the same period of his life. And so is Reconstruction of Religious Thoughts in Islam, which was extensively appreciated and translated into many languages. Academies were set up in Italy and Germany for the study of Iqbal’s poetry and philosophy.

Politics

In 1927 the poet was elected to the Punjab Legislative assembly. In 1930, he was elected to preside over at the annual session of Muslim League. In his presidential address at Allahabad, Iqbal for the first time introduced the idea of Pakistan. In 1930-31, he attended the Round Table conference, which met in London to frame a constitution for India.

In Spain

While in England, Iqbal accepted the hospitality of Spain. He also went to Cordoba and had the distinction of being the first Muslim to offer prayers at its historical mosque after the exile of Moors. Memories of the past glory of Arabs and their 800-year rule over Spain were revived in his mind and his emotions were aroused by what he saw.

Meeting with Mussolini

In Italy Iqbal was received by Mussolini who had read some of his works and was aquatinted with his philosophy. They had long meetings and talked freely to each other.

The Universities of Cambridge, Rome and Madrid and the Roman Royal society organized meetings in his honor. On his way back he also went to Jerusalem to attend the International Conference of Motamar-i-Isalami.

In Afghanistan

At the invitation of King Nadir Shah, Iqbal visited Afghanistan in 1932. The king received the poet with great honor and met hi privately, as well during which he laid bare his heart. The two talked and wept.

Iqbal’s Death

The last phase of Iqbal’s life was embittered with constant illness. But as regards his creative activities this product was most productive. He kept in touch with every question of the day and continued composing beautiful verses.

A few minutes before his death he recited these touching lines:

The departed melody may return or not!

The zephyr from Hijaz may blow again or not!

The days of this Faqir has come to an end,

Another seer may come or not!

Although Iqbal’s was long and protracted the end was sudden and verypeaceful. He breathed his last in the early hours of April 21, 1938, in the arms of his old and devoted servant, leaving behind a host of mourners all over the Islamic world. There was a faint smile playing on his lips, which irresistibly reminded one of the last criterions, which he laid down for a truthful Muslim.

I tell you the sign of a Momin-

When death comes there is smile on his lips.

Note: The above biography is a summarized version from Glory of Iqbal by Syed Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi

National Film AwardsBest Directing – Mausam (1976) Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment – Maachis (1996) Best Lyrics 1988: ‘Mera kuch saaman’ – Ijaazat 1991: ‘Yaara sili sili’ – Lekin… Best Screenplay – Koshish (1972)

Grammy AwardsBest Song Written For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media – ‘Jai Ho’ – Slumdog Millionaire (2010)

Other awards Padma Bhushan (2004) Sahitya Akademi Award – Dhuan (“smoke”; short stories in Urdu) (2002)
Filmography
As lyricist(* indicates unreleased/under production)

Raavan Ishqiya Veer Kaminey Billu Barber Dumkata Slumdog Millionaire for Jai Ho Yuvvraaj No Smoking Shafaq Just Married Jhoom Barabar Jhoom Jaan-E-Mann Guru Sabab* Blue Umbrella Omkara Yahaan Paheli Bunty Aur Babli Raincoat Chupke Se Maqbool Pinjar Saathiya Makdee Dil Vil Pyar Vyar Lal Salam Leela Filhaal… Asoka Aks Fiza Khubsoorat Hu Tu Tu Jahan Tum Le Chalo Dil Se Satya Chachi 420 Aastha Maachis Daayraa Mammo Rudaali Maya Memsaab Lekin… Libaas Ijaazat Ek Pal Jeeva Ghulami Tarang Masoom Sadma Angoor Namkeen Sitam Naram Garam Baseraa Sitara Thodisi Bewafaii Khubsoorat Swayamvara Griha Pravesh Gol Maal Ratnadeep Ghar Devata Khatta Meetha Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein Gharaonda Kinara Shaque Aandhi KhushbooMausam Doosri Sita Parichay Koshish Anubhav Guddi Mere Apne Seema Anand Khamoshi Rahgir Aashirwad Do Dooni Chaar Biwi Aur Makaan Sannata Purnima Bandini Prem Patra Kabuliwala Shriman Satyawadi Swami Vivekananda The Jungle Book (TV series)

Other collaborative projects
Dil Padosi Hai (with Asha Bhosle and Rahul Dev Burman) Sunset Point (with Vishal Bhardwaj, Bhupinder and Chitra Singh). Vadaa (with Amjad Ali Khan) Ishqa Ishqa (with Vishal Bhardwaj) Main Aur Mera Saaya (with Bhupen Hazarika) Udaas Pani (with Abhishek Ray and Jagjit Singh) Visaal (with Ghulam Ali) Koi Baat Chale (with Jagjit Singh; songs written in Triveni) Marasim (with Jagjit Singh) Raat Chand Aur Main (with Abhishek Ray) Amrita Pritam recited by Gulzar (tribute to Amrita Pritam) Kabir By Abida Parween recited by Gulzar

Better known for his advertising genius, Ammar has recently come up with a Book called “Mohabbat ka neela rang”, an anthology of his short stories.

Ammar Masood is an Economics major, with an M Sc in Economics from The University of Punjab in the year 1989 – 91. He is also professionally trained in Modern Techniques in Audio Visual Productions from National Television Studios.

He is currently working on his second book of short stories which is due next year. One of the leading private TV channel is making a drama serial on one of his short stories.

Professional Life:
Ammar Masood is currently working with Population Council, a subsidiary of USAID before which he headed the entire Marketing and Product Development of the 5 channels of Pakistan Television Network. Before joining PTV, he was the Creative Head of M Comm. He has led the Creative Departments of Orient McCann Ericsson and Interflow; the leading advertising agencies of Pakistan.

Ammar has also been associated with UNFPA as a speaker on Family Planning & Reproductive Health and later the ‘Population Council’ as a field officer where he conducted research in various parts of the country. He was also a part of the Islamabad Stock Exchange as Publications Officer in 1994 – 1995, the time when he was a part time Radio Host and anchor on TV.

Munshi Prem Chand

Munshi Premchand lost his mother when he was just seven years old. His father married again. He was very close to his elder sister. His early education was in a madarasa under a Maulavi, where he learnt Urdu. When he was studying in the ninth class he was married, much against his wishes. He was only fifteen years old at that time.

Munshi Premchand lost his father when he was sixteen years old. He was left responsible for his stepmother and stepsiblings. He earned five rupees a month tutoring a lawyer’s child. He passed his matriculation exam with great effort and took up a teaching position, with a monthly salary of eighteen rupees. While working, he studied privately and passed his Intermediate and B. A. examinations. Later, Munshi Premchand worked as the deputy sub-inspector of schools in what was then the United Provinces.

In 1910, Munshi Premchand was hauled up by the District Magistrate in Jamirpur for his anthology of short stories Soz-e-Watan (Dirge of the Nation), which was labelled seditious. His book Soz-e-Watan was banned by the then British government, which burnt all of the copies. Initially Premchand wrote in Urdu under the name of Nawabrai. However, when his novel Soz-e-Watan was confiscated by the British, he started writing under the pseudonym Premchand.

Before Munshi Premchand, Hindi literature consisted mainly of fantasy or religious works. He brought realism to Hindi literature. He wrote over 300 stories, a dozen novels and two plays. The stories have been compiled and published as Maansarovar. His famous creations are: Panch Parameshvar, Idgah, Shatranj Ke Khiladi, Poos Ki Raat, Bade Ghar Ki Beti, Kafan, Udhar Ki Ghadi, Namak Ka Daroga, Gaban, Godaan, and Nirmala.

Munshi Premchand was a great social reformer; he married a child widow named Shivarani Devi. She wrote a book on him, Premchand Gharmein after his death. In 1921 he answered Gandhiji’s call and resigned from his job. He worked to generate patriotism and nationalistic sentiments in the general populace. When the editor of the journal Maryaada was jailed in the freedom movement, Premchand worked for a time as the editor of that journal. Afterward, he worked as the principalin a school in the Kashi Vidyapeeth.

The main characteristic of Munshi Premchand’s writings is his interesting storytelling and use of simple language. His novels describe the problems of rural and urban India. He avoided the use of highly Sanskritized Hindi and instead used the dialect of the common people. He wrote on the realistic issues of the day -communalism, corruption, zamindari, debt, poverty, colonialism etc. Munshi Premchand’s writings have been translated not only into all Indian languages, but also Russian, Chinese, and many other foreign languages. He died on October 8, 1936.

Pakistan Stamp Of Baba-e-Urdu

Baba-e-Urdu was the moving spirit behind the Usmania University Hyderabad, Deccan, where all subjects were taught in Urdu. The textbooks and reference material to be used here were translated and compiled under his supervision: Later on, he served as the chairman of the Department of Urdu. After his retirement in 1930, he compiled and edited a comprehensive and authoritative English Urdu dictionary.
Under his care, the Anjumane Taraqqi-e-Urdu, emerged as a powerful service organization. In the 1930s, Gandhi Started a campaign to change the Urdu script, since it was identified with the Muslim people. Thanks to the Anjuman, the attempt was successfully thwarted. Thereafter, till the creation of Pakistan, he fought the Indian National Congress for mother tongue Urdu and Pakistan.In 1948, Maulvi Abdul Haq migrated to Pakistan. During the partition riots, thousands valuable manuscripts, memoranda, books and articles that he possessed had been lost. The Indian government had seriously damaged the Anjuman by withdrawing all support. Maulvi Sahib reached Pakistan poor in health, meager in resources but planted the Anjuman anew, on fresh ground. Under the aegis of the organization, countless books and several important journals were brought out. Numerous old but invaluable manuscripts in old Urdu (Deccani) were published that have considerably deepened the roots of the Urdu language. Baba-e-Urdu patronized and inaugurated two public libraries and lived long enough to see a dream realized: the establishment of Urdu medium Institutions of higher learning: the Arts and Science in Urdu Colleges. He continually stressed the need for an Urdu University for which he even called a national conference in 1959. After a prolonged illness, Maulvi Abdul Haq died of cancer in 1961 (August 16, 1961).
He was a prolific writer, with almost a dozen titles to his name including the authoritative Standard English-Urdu Dictionary, Chand Ham Asar, maktoobat Baba-e-Urdu Tauqeedat, Muqadimat, etc. As a researcher, scholar, critic and lexicographer Maulvi Abdul Haq is a great name in our history. It is, however, as the foremost campaigner of Urdu and its greatest servant that Baba-e-Urdu will be remembered.