Ale Ahmad Suroor


Ale Ahmad Suroor was an Urdu poet, critic and professor from India. He is best known for his literary criticism. In 1974 he was honoured with the Sahitya Akademi Award by the Government of India for his literary critic work, Nazar aur Nazariya. In 1991 he was also awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award. He was awarded a special gold medal by the President of Pakistan on the centenary of the birth of Muhammad Iqbal.

Early life

Suroor was born in the Badaun city of Uttar Pradesh on 9 September 1911. He studied Science and graduated from St John's College, Agra. He completed his master's degree in English literature in 1934. From 1958 to 1974 he worked as professor and Head of Urdu at Aligarh Muslim University.

Philosophy

Suroor's autobiography, Khwab Baki Hai, states, "Criticism takes the help of science but it is not a science; it is a branch of literature". Regarding poetry Suroor states that poetry does not bring "revolutions" but it creates right environment to make sudden change in mind, it is not "sword" but the "lancet".

Work

Suroor wrote extensively on Urdu poet Muhammad Iqbal. Suroor was the founder director of the "Iqbal institute" in Kashmir University which is now known as the "Iqbal institute of Culture and Philosophy". The "Iqbal Chair" was established at Kashmir University in 1977 where Suroor was appointed as Iqbal professor.

Books

Suroor authored many books. The following is an incomplete list of Suroor's books.Khwab Baaki Hai : It is an autobiography of Suroor published in 1991.Nazar aur Nazariya : Critic work which won Sahitya Akademi Award of Government of India in 1974.Tanqidi Ishare : It was Suroor's first collection of critical writing.Naye aur Purane Chirag Tanqid Kya Hai? Adab aur Nazariya Jadidiyat aur Adab Masarrat se Basirat tak Urdu aur Hindustani Tehjib Afkar ke Diye
The following are some of books written by Suroor on Iqbal's legacy.Iqbal aur unka Falsafa Iqbal:Nazar aur Shairi Iqbal, Faiz aur Ham Iqbal ki Manviyat
  • ''Danishwar Iqbal''

Awards and recognition

Suroor was honoured by following major awards