Drama writer and famous poet Amjad Islam Amjad has shocked the literary and cultural communities. The 78-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest on Friday in Lahore and passed away.
Amjad had a remarkable career spanning over 50 years, during which he authored over 40 books and received numerous awards for his literary works and television screenplays, including the Pride of Performance and the Sitara-e-Imtiaz.
He earned a Masters in Urdu Literature from the Punjab University and started his career as a lecturer at the Government M.A.O. College Lahore before serving as a director at the Pakistan Television Corporation from 1975 to 1979.
Some of his most notable dramas include ‘Waris’, ‘Dehleez’, ‘Samandar’, ‘Raat’, ‘Waqt’, and ‘Apnay Loug’.
Amjad's death has been mourned by many, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who expressed his regret over the loss of the great poet and intellectual on Twitter, saying: "
آج معروف شاعر اور دانشور امجد اسلام امجد کی وفات کی صورت میں اردو ادب کا ایک عظیم دور ختم ہوگیا۔ انہوں نےاپنے ڈراموں اور تصانیف کے ذریعے ایک نسل کی فکری آبیاری کی۔ ان کی شاعری کا ترنم ایک لمبے عرصے تک ہمارے کانوں میں رس گھولتا رہے گا۔ اللہ تعالی ان کو کروٹ کروٹ جنت نصیب کریں۔ pic.twitter.com/scpkDwXNyj
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) February 10, 2023
Today, a great era of Urdu literature has come to an end with the death of renowned poet and intellectual Amjad Islam Amjad.
He cultivated a generation of intellectuals through his plays and writings. The chant of his poetry will continue to melt in our ears for a long time. May Allah bless them with paradise."
President Arif Alvi also offered his condolences on Twitter, acknowledging Amjad as a great playwright, dramatist, and poet. The ace cricketer Shoaib Akhtar expressed his loss as well, stating that "Urdu Poetry & Pakistan have suffered a huge loss today."
Amjad Islam Amjad our great playwriter, dramatist & poet has passed away.
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) February 10, 2023
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،
In addition to his work as a professor and dramatist, Amjad also served as a director at the Pakistan Television Corporation from 1975 to 1979. He continued to write plays and poems throughout his life, earning a reputation as one of the most talented and influential writers of his generation.
Amjad's passing marks the end of an era in Urdu literature, and his works will continue to inspire and touch the hearts of people for generations to come. His legacy as a talented writer and poet will live on, and his contributions to the world of literature will never be forgotten.
Funeral details have not yet been announced. But, Amjad's legacy as a talented writer and poet will live on through his works and the memories he has left with his fans and admirers.
