Amjad Islam Amjad


Amjad Islam Amjad was a Pakistani Urdu poet, screenwriter, playwright and lyricist.
The author of more than 70 books, he received many awards for his literary work and screenplay for TV, including Pride of Performance and Sitara-e-Imtiaz awards. Later on, he also received the prestigious Tamgh-e-Imtiaz in 1998.

Early life and education

Amjad was born in Lahore, Punjab in British India. His family originally belonged to Sialkot. He received his secondary education in Lahore, and graduated from Government Islamia College, [Civil Lines, Lahore|Government Islamia College Civil Lines], Lahore. He was also member of the college cricket team and participated in the inter-collegiate tournament. He gained a Masters of Arts degree in Urdu literature from Punjab University.

Career

Professional career

He began his career as a lecturer in Govt. M.A.O. College Lahore. He worked as a director at Pakistan Television Corporation from 1975 to 1979, before returning to teaching.
In 1989, Amjad was appointed Director General of the Urdu Science Board. He had also worked as a project director of the Children Library Complex.

Literature

He has written many columns, translation, criticism and essays while his main focus remained writing nazms, a type of Urdu poetry.

Television scriptwriter

Amjad is the writer of many drama series for Pakistan Television Corporation including Waris. He wrote his first PTV play, Pehla Khel, in 1973 thanks to the recommendation of Athar [Shah Khan Jaidi]. Among his most notable dramas are Dehleez, Samandar, Raat, Waqt and Apnay Log.

Lyricist

He wrote the lyrics of Mann Ki Lagan for the 2003 movie Paap, the song which launched the Bollywood career of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

Journalism

In June 2008, he joined Urdu newspaper Daily Express and wrote column with the title of Chasham-e-Tamasha.

Illness and death

Amjad died from a sudden cardiac arrest on 10 February 2023 in Lahore, Pakistan at the age of 78.

Legacy

Amjad Islam Amjad has been a vital part of the literary world. some of his famous dramas include; Waris, Din, Fishar and many more.
He also translated the poetries of the African poets in Urdu called Kale Logon ki Roshan Nazmein.
In December 2019, Amjad received the Necip Fazil International Culture and Art Award in Istanbul, Turkey.
Amjad Islam Amjad also wrote dramas based on criticism. He has been honoured with many national and international awards. He was a member of Blessing for All foundation.
Governor of Punjab, Pakistan, Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman expressed his grief over Amjad's death by saying:

"Undoubtedly, Amjad Islam Amjad was Pakistan's number one drama writer. He made a name for himself with his unique poetry. Poets and drama writers like him are born after decades".

Awards and honours

PTV drama serials

Waris Dehleez Samandar Waqt FishaarRaat Din EendhenInkaarChacha Abdul Baqi Daman Ki Aag
  • ''Lahu Meain Phool''

Private serials

AgarGirahZamanaBandagiSheeraza
  • ''Sher-Dil''

Long plays (PTV)

BazdeedDukhon Ki ChadarApnay LogLaikinDhund Ke Uss ParSham Se PehleyNizam LohaarGhantiTV, TVYe Kinara Chala Ke Naau ChaliBaazgashtAbhi Tou Mein Jawan HunMutthi Se Phisalti RaitAag Sab Ko Jalati HaiJohar
  • ''Nazdeek''

Short plays (25 minutes, PTV)

Jo Yun Hota Tou Kya HotaAap Kal AaiyeTaale Mand Ki PareshaniyanDeewar Ke Iss Par-Uss ParMakan Ki Talaash MeinShauq Bohat Hai
  • ''Sheesha-O-Sang''

General plays (50 minutes, PTV)

Aakhri Khawab Barzakh Moum Ki Guriya Khwab Jagtey Hain Ya Naseeb ClinicBalkaniSaudaAhl-E-NazarShabzadRubarooSuragh E SaharPichli Raat Ka ChandSawaalMere Bhi Hain Kuch KhwabGardishJarasBachon Ka BaghEhsas E ZiyanApna GharZindagi Ke Miley MeinUlti ChurriSooraj Bhi TamashaiParas PatharDoosra QadamApney Hissey Ka BhoujTawaanIsi Ka Naam Duniya HaiGhairon Se Kaha Tum NeIdher Udher SeZero PointAbhi Nahi Kabhi NahiTasalsulGirti Hui DeewarAakhri TamatarQutab SitaraQafla E Sakht JanGharPewasta Reh Shajar SePhir Yun HuwaApni Khudi PehchaanMere Khawab Reza RezaBakrey Ki ShadiBasharatZero Point 2Bara Andhera HaiEesaar
  • ''Eid Ka Tohfa''

Adapted plays

Kan RussBandagi BechargiBura AadmiAks Aur AaineyDehaktey KhwabWarisManzil Hai KahanGard Bad E HayatRifi Ki DuniyaEhsaanSannataBaitey BaitiyanAmar BailHisaabSummander Ke NicheyDou Gaz ZameenNamak HaramGhantiBara Andhera HaiBarf Mein Lagi AagChacha Abdul Baqi
  • ''Lahu Mei Phool''

Punjabi plays

Nehle Te DehlaKhauta Sikka
  • ''Bhukh''

Plays for children

Jadu Ki SheeshiBahadur Shehzada
  • ''Daal Mei Kala''

Stage plays

Ghar Aya MehmaanDastak
  • ''Kis Ko Keh Rahe Ho''

Short films

Doosri Taraf
  • ''Beneath The Sea''

Tele film

  • ''Aaina''

Audio albums

Muhabbat Aisa Darya HaiHum Us Ke HainRaat Sammundar MeinMere Bhi Hain Kuch Khawab