Legendary poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz remembered on 114th birth anniversary

Renowned intellectual, legendary Urdu poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz was remembered on his 114th birth anniversary on Thursday (today), reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Revolutionary poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz was born on February 13, 1911 in Sialkot, the birthplace of Poet of the East, Allama Muhammad Iqbal. After having completing his education, Faiz worked as a teacher, journalist and a politician as well.

Faiz also served in British Army before independence of Pakistan and was promoted up to a rank of lieutenant-colonel. However, Faiz resigned in 1947 to join Pakistan Times, a local newspaper of progressive narrative.

Faiz was also among the first-ever official Pakistani delegation to visit Bangladesh. On conclusion of Bangladesh tour he wrote his famous Ghazal “Hum Kay Thehray Ajnabi”.
Faiz Ahmad Ahmad was awarded the Lenin Peace Prize in 1963, which was equivalent to the Nobel Prize in the then USSR.

Faiz wrote dozens of ghazals, dialogues and songs for films. Faiz breathed his last on 20th November 1984 at the age of 73 years. He buried in Lahore’s Gulberg graveyard.

Faiz married Alys Faiz a British national who had a tremendous influence on his life and poetry. They had two daughters Saleema and Muneeza. Alys’ influence on Faiz’s life and poetry was reputed to have been enormous.

Moreover, Faiz spent much of the 1950s and 1960s promoting communism in Pakistan.

In the 1965 war between India and Pakistan, he worked in an honorary capacity in the Department of Information.

His collections of work include Naqsh-e-Faryadi, Dast-e-Saba, Zindaan Naama and Sham-e-Sheher-e-Yaaran.
Faiz was awarded Pakistan`s highest civil award Nishan-e-Imtiaz in 1990 in recognition of his services in literature.
The legendary poet also received many awards, including, Nigar, Lenin peace prize, peace prize of Pakistan's Human Rights Commission and Avicenna prize.

Meanwhile, the Lahore Arts Council (Alhamra) will host the most anticipated cultural and literary event the 9th Faiz Festival 2025 from February 14 to 16 (Friday-Sunday).

The three-day festival promises an immersive experience of poetry, literature, music and performing arts.

Organized by the Faiz Ghar Foundation, the festival aims to uphold the rich artistic legacy of Faiz Ahmad Faiz while fostering harmony, unity and a deep appreciation for cultural diversity.