Pakistan’s literary icon Amjad Islam Amjad passes away in Lahore on Friday. The literary icon aged 78 died after suffering a heart attack.
Amjad Islam Amjad is a renowned poet, playwright, educationist, columnist, and literary critic par excellence. He is known as the most important poet of modern poetry in Urdu. Amjad is the recipient of the Sitara-e-Imtiaz and has authored more than 70 books in his career spanning over 50 years. He is also the recipient of the Pride of Performance.
Amjad Islam Amjad is known for some well-known TV dramas such as “Waris”, “Dehleez”, “Samandar”, “Raat”, “Waqt” and “Apnay Log”. Outside Pakistan, he has been honored by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with the Necip Fazil International Culture and Art Award. For him, the Turkish leader said, “Amjad Islam Amjad is one of the most important poets in modern Urdu literature.”
Pakistani celebrities expressed condolence for his passing away.
I still remember the day when I met you at Lawrence Garden where you were having your evening walk and I was busy drawing a painting, I rushed to you and asked you for one “sher” and you said “Muhabbat aisa dariya hai .. ke barish rooth bhi jaaye to paani kam nahi hota”… You’ve always been my favourite, my inspiration in Urdu,” said actor Imran Abbas in his Instagram post.
End of an era. Amjad Islam Amjad Sahab is no more. Today is the saddest day for Urdu poetry. Inna Lillahe wa Inna elehe Rajeoon. pic.twitter.com/kyrTYMU6TC
— Imran Abbas (@ImranAbbas) February 10, 2023
“And how can I forget the day when you gave me this pen of yours…Certainly, today is the saddest day for Urdu Literature. The last uncrowned king of Urdu Drama, nazm, and ghazal is no more. Undoubtedly the saddest day for Urdu today. Rest in heaven Amjad Islam Amjad Sahab. Inna Lillahe wa Inna elehe Rajeoon,” added the actor further.
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President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi expressing condolence said, “Amjad Islam Amjad our great playwright, dramatist & poet has passed away. Inna Allah and to Him we shall return.”
اس کے لہجے میں برف تھی لیکن
چھو کے دیکھا تو ہاتھ جلنے لگےAmjad Islam Amjad.
انا للہ وانا الیہ راجعون۔
Urdu Poetry & Pakistan have suffered a huge loss today. pic.twitter.com/jIgYgliz3F— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) February 10, 2023
Amjad Islam Amjad our great playwriter, dramatist & poet has passed away.
إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون
وہ اپنے بارے میں کیا خوب کہ گئے کہ :اگر کبھی میری یاد آئے
تو چاند راتوں کی نرم دلگیر روشنی میں
کسی ستارے کو دیکھ لینا،
گریز کرتی ہوا کی لہروں پہ ہاتھ رکھنا،— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) February 10, 2023
Deeply sad at passing away of great poet/writer/thinker of our times Amjad Islamabad Amjad. I feel privileged to have personal interaction with him in past years & he always was kind to grace various occasions with us with his scholarly talks/poetry. RIP Amjad Islam Amjad. pic.twitter.com/e6o81CF7GD
— Mansoor Ahmad Khan (@ambmansoorkhan) February 10, 2023
He also shared couplets of the poet in his Twitter message. “What he said about himself: If you ever remember me So in the soft light of moonlit nights look at a star, Holding hands on the waves of the avoiding wind.”