Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi Ki Muntakhib Nazmain

DescriptionAhmad Nadeem Qasmi Ki Muntakhib NazmainAuthor BiographyAhmad Nadeem Qasmi born Ahmad Shah Awan (20 November 1916 – 10 July 2006) was a prominent progressive Pakistani poet, journalist, literary critic, dramatist and short story author.He wrote 50 books on topics such as poetry, fiction, criticism, journalism and art, and was a major figure in contemporary Urdu literature. His poetry was distinguished by its humanism, and his Urdu afsana (short story) work is considered by some second only to Munshi Prem Chand in its depiction of rural culture. He was also editor and publisher of the literary magazine Funoon for almost half a century. He received awards such as the Pride of Performance in 1968 and Sitara-e-Imtiaz in 1980 for his literary work. Gulzar, one of the most influential writers in modern India, called him his mentor and guru.Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi is a prominent progressive poet, short story writer, and journalist. He also published a major literary journal called Funoon which he published with complete dedication till his death.Qasmi was born on 20 November, 1916 at Koranga in Khushab tehsil of Sargodha. He was named Ahmad Shah. He received his early education at his village. In 1935, he got his degree of M. A. from Punjab University. He started working as a scribe in the Reform Commissioner’s office at Lahore in 1936. After working at different places, he met Manto in Delhi in 1941. Manto was then writing scripts for films. Qasmi wrote lyrics for these films but unfortunately none of the films were ever released. Following the Partition of India, hre wrote dialogues for three filmsa Aghosh, Do Rastey and Lori. In 1942, he returned from Delhi to Lahore and took to editing Imtiaz Ali Taj’s journals Phool and Taleem-e Niswaan which were published from Darul Ishaat, Punja, Lahore. Following the Prtition of India, he worked as a script writer for Radio Pakistan at Peshawar but did not continue there for long. In 1947, he joined the editorial board of reputed journal Savera and was elected Secretary General of Progressive Writers Association, Pakistan. Because of his anti-establishment attitude, he was arrested and imprisoned for seven months. In 1963, he launched his own journal Funoon which made a name for itself soon. From 1974 to 2006, he worked as the Direcor of Majlis-e Tarraqi Adab, Lahore. Qasmi passed away in July 2006 at Lahore.Qasmi’s collections of short stories include Chaupal, Bagooley, Tulu-o-Ghuroob, Girdaab, Sailaab, Aanchal, Aabley, Aas Paas, Dar-o-Deewaar, Sannata, Bazaar-e Hayaat, Barg-e Henna, Ghar se Ghar Tak, Neela Paththar, Kapaas ka Phool, Koh Paima, and Patjadh. His poems are collected in Rim Jhim, Jalaal-o-Jamaal, Shola-i-Gul, Dasht-e Wafaa, Muheet, Dawaam, Tehzeeb-o-Fan, Dhadkanein, Lauh-e Khaak, Arz-o-Sama and Noor-e Jamaal. His critical books are Adab aur Taleem ke Rishtey Pas-e Lafz, and Maani ki Talaash.