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Intizar Hussain
Writer and novelist (1925–2016) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Intizar Hussain or Intezar Hussain (Urdu: انتظار حسین; 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.[2][3][4][5]
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He was nominated for the International Booker Prize in 2013.[6]
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Early life
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.[5] He received a degree in Urdu literature in Meerut.[7] 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.[8] Intizar Husain was often described as possibly the greatest living Urdu writer.[9]
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.[5]
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.[5]
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Literary work
He wrote short stories, novels and poetry in Urdu, and also literary columns for newspapers such as Dawn and Daily Express.[2][3][4] 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.[2]
His other writings include Hindustan Se Aakhri Khat, Aagay Sumandar Hai,[2] 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.[2][10][4][11]
His novel Basti is based on Pakistani history.[3]
Among his books, "Basti" and "Khali Pinjra" have been translated into Persian by Samira Gilani.
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Death
On 2 February 2016, he died at National Hospital, Defence Housing Authority at Lahore after contracting pneumonia.[10][7][5] The Indian Express newspaper termed him the "best-known Pakistani writer in the world" after Manto.[12]
His wife, Aliya Begum, had died in 2004 and they had no children.[13]
Influences
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.[14]
Legacy
In 2016, Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) announced the ‘Intizar Hussain Award’ which would be given to a literary figure every year.[15]
Awards and international recognition
- 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.[16]
- In 2007, Hussain received the Pakistani civil award Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) by the President of Pakistan.[2][7]
- Sahitya Akademi Fellowship (National Academy of Letters) of India awarded in 2007.[17]
- In 2013, he was shortlisted for the Man Booker International Prize after Frances W. Pritchett translated his Urdu novel Basti into English.[2][18]
- He received a lifetime achievement award at the Lahore Literary Festival. Newsweek Pakistan called him "Pakistan's most accomplished living author" in 2014.[5]
- Hussain was made an Officer of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government in 2014[2][7][19]
- He was also the first ever winner of the prestigious Premchand Fellowship awarded by Sahitya Akademi of India in 2007.[17]
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Bibliography
- A Chronicle of the Peacocks: Stories of Partition, Exile and Lost Memories[20]
- The Death of Sheherzad[21]
- Basti (1979) (Town)[7][22][2][5]
- Aagay Samandar Hai (Beyond is the Sea) (1995)[5]
- Chiraghon Ka Dhuvan (Lamp Smoke) (memoir) (1999)[2][5]
- Chaand Gahan (2002)[23][2]
- Ajmal-I Azam (2003)[24]
- Surakh Tamgha (2007)[25]
- Qissa Kahanian (2011)[26]
- Justujoo Kya Hai (autobiography) (2012)[2]
- Apni Danist Mein (2014)[27]
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References
External links
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