Intizar Hussain
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Pakistani English Template:Infobox writer Intizar Hussain or Intezar Hussain (Template:Langx; 21 December 1925 – 2 February 2016) was a Pakistani writer of Urdu novels, short stories, poetry and nonfiction. He is widely recognised as a leading literary figure of Pakistan.<ref name=Dawn/><ref name="dawn">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Guardian">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Newsweek />
He was nominated for the International Booker Prize in 2013.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Early lifeEdit
Intizar Hussain was born on 21 December 1925 in Bulandshahr district, Uttar Pradesh (at the time, the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh), British India.<ref name=Newsweek /> He received a degree in Urdu literature in Meerut.<ref name=BBC/> As someone born in the Indian subcontinent who later migrated to Pakistan during 1947 Partition, a perennial theme in Hussain's works deals with the nostalgia linked with his life in the pre-partition era.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Intizar Husain was often described as possibly the greatest living Urdu writer.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
He lived in the old Anarkali Bazaar of Lahore, where he associated and socialized with the likes of Nasir Kazmi, and Muhammad Hasan Askari and together they frequented Lahore's teahouses – Pak Tea House, Nagina Bakery, Coffee House, Lords and Arab Hotel.<ref name=Newsweek />
Lahore's literary scene was divided between two groups, Anjuman-e-Tarraqi-Pasand-Mussannifeen (Progressive Writers Movement) (a leftwing group) and the rightwing Halqa-e Arbab-e Zauq in the 1950s. Intizar Hussain decided not to be closely associated with either group and managed to stay neutral and focus on his writing career.<ref name=Newsweek />
Literary workEdit
He wrote short stories, novels and poetry in Urdu, and also literary columns for newspapers such as Dawn and Daily Express.<ref name=Dawn/><ref name="dawn" /><ref name="Guardian" /> The Seventh Door, Leaves and Basti are among English translations of his books.
Among the five novels he wrote – Chaand Gehan (1952), Din Aur Daastaan (1959), Basti (1980), Tazkira (1987), and Aage Samandar Hai (1995) – received global praise.<ref name=Dawn>Template:Cite news</ref>
His other writings include Hindustan Se Aakhri Khat, Aagay Sumandar Hai,<ref name=Dawn/> Shehr-e-Afsos, Jataka Tales, Janam Kahanian and Wo Jo Kho Gaye. Aagay Sumandar Hai (Sea is facing you in the front) contrasts the spiraling urban violence of contemporary Karachi with a vision of the lost Islamic realm of al-Andalus in modern Spain.<ref name=Dawn/><ref name="Telegraph">Intizar Hussain, Pakistan's 'greatest fiction writer', dies at 92 The Telegraph newspaper, Published 2 February 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2023</ref><ref name="Guardian" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
His novel Basti is based on Pakistani history.<ref name="dawn" />
Among his books, "Basti" and "Khali Pinjra" have been translated into Persian by Samira Gilani.
DeathEdit
On 2 February 2016, he died at National Hospital, Defence Housing Authority at Lahore after contracting pneumonia.<ref name="Telegraph"/><ref name=BBC>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Newsweek /> The Indian Express newspaper termed him the "best-known Pakistani writer in the world" after Manto.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
His wife, Aliya Begum, had died in 2004 and they had no children.<ref name=Newsweek2>Pakistan's 'Greatest Fiction Writer' Dies at 92 Newsweek Pakistan website, Published 3 February 2016, Retrieved 18 November 2023</ref>
InfluencesEdit
Hussain believed that two forces had risen in contemporary Pakistan: women and the mullahs. He also acknowledged his study and the influence of Buddhist texts and the Mahabharata.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
LegacyEdit
In 2016, Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) announced the ‘Intizar Hussain Award’ which would be given to a literary figure every year.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Awards and international recognitionEdit
- Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 1986.
- Kamal-e-Fun (Lifetime Achievement) Award by the Pakistan Academy of Letters in 1998.<ref name=PAL>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- In 2007, Hussain received the Pakistani civil award Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) by the President of Pakistan.<ref name=Dawn/><ref name=BBC/>
- Sahitya Akademi Fellowship (National Academy of Letters) of India awarded in 2007.<ref name=SA>Sahitya Akademi Fellowship awarded to Intizar Hussain in 2007 (scroll down to Premchand Fellowship) Sahitya Akademi (National Academy of Letters), Government of India website, Retrieved 18 November 2023</ref>
- In 2013, he was shortlisted for the Man Booker International Prize after Frances W. Pritchett translated his Urdu novel Basti into English.<ref name=Dawn/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- He received a lifetime achievement award at the Lahore Literary Festival. Newsweek Pakistan called him "Pakistan's most accomplished living author" in 2014.<ref name=Newsweek>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Hussain was made an Officer of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government in 2014<ref name=Dawn/><ref name=BBC/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- He was also the first ever winner of the prestigious Premchand Fellowship awarded by Sahitya Akademi of India in 2007.<ref name=SA/>
BibliographyEdit
- A Chronicle of the Peacocks: Stories of Partition, Exile and Lost Memories<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
- The Death of Sheherzad<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
- Basti (1979) (Town)<ref name=BBC/><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=Dawn/><ref name=Newsweek />
- Aagay Samandar Hai (Beyond is the Sea) (1995)<ref name=Newsweek />
- Chiraghon Ka Dhuvan (Lamp Smoke) (memoir) (1999)<ref name=Dawn/><ref name=Newsweek />
- Chaand Gahan (2002)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=Dawn/>
- Ajmal-I Azam (2003)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
- Surakh Tamgha (2007)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
- Qissa Kahanian (2011)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
- Justujoo Kya Hai (autobiography) (2012)<ref name=Dawn/>
- Apni Danist Mein (2014)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
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