Amjad Islam Amjad (4 August 1944 â 10 February 2023) was a Pakistani Urdu poet, screenwriter, playwright and lyricist.
The author of more than 70 books, he received many awards for his literary work and screenplay for TV, including Pride of Performance and Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) awards. Later on, he also received the prestigious Tamgh-e-Imtiaz in 1998.
Early life and education
Amjad was born in Lahore, Punjab in British India (now Pakistan). His family originally belonged to Sialkot. He received his secondary education in Lahore, and graduated from Government Islamia College Civil Lines, Lahore. He was also member of the college cricket team and participated in the inter-collegiate tournament. He gained a Masters of Arts degree in Urdu literature from Punjab University.
Career
Professional career
He began his career as a lecturer in Govt. M.A.O. College Lahore. He worked as a director at Pakistan Television Corporation from 1975 to 1979, before returning to teaching.
In 1989, Amjad was appointed Director General of the Urdu Science Board. He had also worked as a project director of the Children Library Complex.
Literature
He has written many columns, translation, criticism and essays while his main focus remained writing nazms, a type of Urdu poetry.
Television scriptwriter
Amjad is the writer of many drama series for Pakistan Television Corporation including Waris. He wrote his first PTV play, Pehla Khel, in 1973 thanks to the recommendation of Athar Shah Khan Jaidi. Among his most notable dramas are Dehleez, Samandar, Raat, Waqt and Apnay Log.
Lyricist
He wrote the lyrics of Mann Ki Lagan for the 2003 movie Paap, the song which launched the Bollywood career of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.
Journalism
In June 2008, he joined Urdu newspaper Daily Express and wrote column with the title of Chasham-e-Tamasha.
Illness and death
Amjad died from a sudden cardiac arrest on 10 February 2023 in Lahore, Pakistan at the age of 78.
Legacy
Amjad Islam Amjad has been a vital part of the literary world. some of his famous dramas include; Waris, Din, Fishar and many more.
He also translated the poetries of the African poets in Urdu called Kale Logon ki Roshan Nazmein.
In December 2019, Amjad received the Necip Fazil International Culture and Art Award in Istanbul, Turkey.
Amjad Islam Amjad also wrote dramas based on criticism. He has been honoured with many national and international awards. He was a member of Blessing for All foundation.
Governor of Punjab, Pakistan, Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman expressed his grief over Amjad's death by saying:
<blockquote> "Undoubtedly, Amjad Islam Amjad was Pakistan's number one drama writer. He made a name for himself with his unique poetry. Poets and drama writers like him are born after decades". </blockquote>
Awards and honours
- Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) Award by the President of Pakistan (1998)
- Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan (1987)
- National Hijra Iqbal Award (Best Book of Poetry: Fishaar) (1982)
- Writers Guild Award (Best Translation Work: Aks) (1976)
- Best Playwright, PTV Awards (1980, 1984, 1998, 1999 and 2001)
- Karachi Arts Council Award, (Best Book of Prose: Nai Puraney) (1991)
- Special President Award (TV Serial: Waris) (1980)
- Best Nazam Nigar of the Year "Biaaz" Award (2005)
- Best Film Writer Nigar Award (2 Awards) (1982âÂÂ1987)
- Agfa Award (1987)
- Bolan Award (2 Awards) (1987âÂÂ1995)
- TV Serial Waris (Published in Chinese Language) (1987)
- TV Serial Waris (Dubbed in Chinese Language & Telecasted on Chinese TV National Network) (1988)
- Amjad Islam Amjad Art & Personality (Compilation Of Writings About Art & Personality of Amjad Islam Amjad) (1996)
- Special Edition of Monthly âÂÂChahaar Su" (2001)
- Special Edition of Monthly "Biaaz" (2003)
- Jashn-E-Amjad Islam Amjad, Doha- Dubai (2001)
- PTV Awards (12 total including Silver Jubilee Award) (1989)
- Recipient of Graduate Awards (16 Awards total as 'Best Writer') (1975 To 2000)
- National Award, Best Book of Poetry "Sahilon Ki Hawa" (2000)
- Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi Award, Best Book of Poetry "Yaheen Kaheen" (2006)
- 20th Aalmi Frogh-e-Urdu Adab Award (2016)
- Necip Fazil International Culture and Art Award
- Hilal-i-Imtiaz Award by the President of Pakistan (2023)
Bibliography
PTV drama serials
- Waris (1979 to 1980)
- Dehleez (1981)
- Samandar (1983)
- Waqt (1986)
- Fishaar
- Raat
- Din (1992)
- Eendhen
- Inkaar
- Chacha Abdul Baqi (short)
- Daman Ki Aag (short)
- Lahu Meain Phool (short)
Private serials
- Agar
- Girah
- Zamana
- Bandagi
- Sheeraza
- Sher-Dil
Long plays (PTV)
- Bazdeed
- Dukhon Ki Chadar
- Apnay Log
- Laikin
- Dhund Ke Uss Par
- Sham Se Pehley
- Nizam Lohaar
- Ghanti
- TV, TV
- Ye Kinara Chala Ke Naau Chali
- Baazgasht
- Abhi Tou Mein Jawan Hun
- Mutthi Se Phisalti Rait
- Aag Sab Ko Jalati Hai
- Johar
- Nazdeek
Short plays (25 minutes, PTV)
- Jo Yun Hota Tou Kya Hota
- Aap Kal Aaiye
- Taale Mand Ki Pareshaniyan
- Deewar Ke Iss Par-Uss Par
- Makan Ki Talaash Mein
- Shauq Bohat Hai
- Sheesha-O-Sang
General plays (50 minutes, PTV)
- Aakhri Khawab (1973)
- Barzakh (1974)
- Moum Ki Guriya (1974)
- Khwab Jagtey Hain (1975)
- Ya Naseeb Clinic
- Balkani
- Sauda
- Ahl-E-Nazar
- Shabzad
- Rubaroo
- Suragh E Sahar
- Pichli Raat Ka Chand
- Sawaal
- Mere Bhi Hain Kuch Khwab
- Gardish
- Jaras
- Bachon Ka Bagh
- Ehsas E Ziyan
- Apna Ghar
- Zindagi Ke Miley Mein
- Ulti Churri
- Sooraj Bhi Tamashai
- Paras Pathar
- Doosra Qadam
- Apney Hissey Ka Bhouj
- Tawaan
- Isi Ka Naam Duniya Hai
- Ghairon Se Kaha Tum Ne
- Idher Udher Se
- Zero Point
- Abhi Nahi Kabhi Nahi
- Tasalsul
- Girti Hui Deewar
- Aakhri Tamatar
- Qutab Sitara
- Qafla E Sakht Jan
- Ghar
- Pewasta Reh Shajar Se
- Phir Yun Huwa
- Apni Khudi Pehchaan
- Mere Khawab Reza Reza
- Bakrey Ki Shadi
- Basharat
- Zero Point 2
- Bara Andhera Hai
- Eesaar
- Eid Ka Tohfa
Adapted plays
- Kan Russ
- Bandagi Bechargi
- Bura Aadmi
- Aks Aur Aainey
- Dehaktey Khwab
- Waris
- Manzil Hai Kahan
- Gard Bad E Hayat
- Rifi Ki Duniya
- Ehsaan
- Sannata
- Baitey Baitiyan
- Amar Bail
- Hisaab
- Summander Ke Nichey
- Dou Gaz Zameen
- Namak Haram
- Ghanti
- Bara Andhera Hai
- Barf Mein Lagi Aag
- Chacha Abdul Baqi
- Lahu Mei Phool
Punjabi plays
- Nehle Te Dehla
- Khauta Sikka
- Bhukh
Plays for children
- Jadu Ki Sheeshi
- Bahadur Shehzada
- Daal Mei Kala
Stage plays
- Ghar Aya Mehmaan
- Dastak
- Kis Ko Keh Rahe Ho
Short films
- Doosri Taraf
- Beneath The Sea
Tele film
Audio albums
Publications
Notes
See also
References
External links