Ashfaq Hussain
Encyclopedia
Ashfaq Hussain Zaidi, PP
, (born January 1, 1951) is a leading modern Urdu
poet and an author of more than 10 books of poetry and literary criticism. He is considered by many as the foremost expert on the life and works of great Urdu poets Faiz Ahmed Faiz
,The Express Tribune Pakistan, http://tribune.com.pk/story/117151/centennial-celebration-to-an-enduring-symbol-of-resistance/, February 11th 2011 Ahmad Faraz and also on Progressive Writers Movement. For his contributions to Urdu literature, Hussain was awarded the Presidential Pride of Performance
from the government of Pakistan.
family in Karachi, Pakistan on January 1, 1951. The eldest son of eight siblings, he lost his mother at the age of 13. He struggled throughout his academic years by working various part time jobs. He earned his Master's Degree in Urdu Literature from the University of Karachi
in 1974. Hussain was elected Vice President of the Students Union of Urdu Department in 1973. He then spent one year as lecturer at Government Degree Science College, Karachi. Before migrating to Canada, Hussain was working as a Programme Officer at the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi.
in March 1980 and currently resides in Brampton
, a suburb of Toronto
. He initially started his business in Travel and Tourism industry. Hussain founded the Writers Forum of Pakistani Canadians in 1982 and was subsequently elected President of the organization. He then established U.I. Publishers, through which he edited and published the quarterly Urdu journal , "Urdu International Canada" until 1988. Hussain was also seen on Asian Horizons, the precursor to Asian Television Network
, dating back to 1980.
full-time when ATN beame a 24 channel in 1997. He currently serves as an Associated Producer at Asian Television Network, Newmarket. He is regularly hosting the following TV shows: Urdu Rang, Asian Horizon and Asian Digest.
Amongst the thousands of celeberities whom Hussain has interviewed since the 1980s, notable includes:
- Dilip Kumar
- Lata Mangeshkar
- Kader Khan
- Ghulam Ali
- Zia Mohyeddin
- Tahira Syed
- Talat Aziz
- M. F. Husain
- Sudhir Narain
- Faiz Ahmed Faiz
- Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi
- Jamiluddin Aali
- Munir Niazi
- Ahmad Faraz
- Professor Gopi Chand Narang
- Ali Sardar Jafri
- Farooq Leghari
- Iftekhar Arif
- Dr. Ludmila Vaseleva.
For his outstanding contributions, Hussain received a Lifetime Achievement Award from ATN in 2007.
in Freestyle skiing
, women's moguls. The following day, Hussain and Bazmi provided play-by-play analysis of Canada's first ever gold medal at an Olympic games held in Canada. Alexandre Bilodeau
won the gold medal in Freestyle skiing
, men's moguls.
His Urdu poetry has been translated in English and Punjabi.
You think
that by wearing a green spectacle
these dry meadows
will turn verdant and fresh
these hapless harvests
will pluck out their autumnal garb
like a dry leaf
at the hands of which merciless winds,
loses its being.
You think
that just because of the laughter on your lips
the bitterness of this environment
will self-destruct and die
but this is not possible.
Why not snatch the trembling helplessness
from the lips of our environment?
Let us pluck out the moonlight
which hides behind a ruined wall,
let us look for light.
Life is our birthright
Let us save it from death.
A LOVE POEM FOR MY SON
With your eyes, I
will see those days
which have yet to come.
With your feet, I
will run very fast
on dream pathways
which are still obscure
With your hands , I
will touch those mountains
whose very thought
makes me breathless
Those mountains and those roads
on which you walk,
a new era
that is yours.
I will not even see
this new era
but my eyes will kiss
its every moment,
with these bright eyes
that are your eyes.
In your eyes
like light I shine
like love I abide
like a dream I am alive
In your beautiful eyes
all my dreams
hide in a special corner;
and if perchance these dreams
bloom with fragrance of flowers
in their sweet scent
you should keep
all the letters of my name
with care.
“Poetry is something that knows no boundaries and is perhaps the only part of literature which influences public opinion regardless of country, nation or state affiliations.”
“The progressive movement has ended but progress can’t. That is why I consider my poetry progressive in nature and think it would remain so because literature can’t be static.”
Hussain on Faiz:
Faiz’s multi-faceted work was “deep enough for one to drown in.”
Pride of Performance
Pride of Performance , is one of the highest civil award given and conferred by the Pakistan Government to Pakistan's citizens in recognition of distinguished merit in the fields of Literature, Arts, Sports, Medicines, and Science for civilians in most particular cases.The announcement of civil...
, (born January 1, 1951) is a leading modern Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
poet and an author of more than 10 books of poetry and literary criticism. He is considered by many as the foremost expert on the life and works of great Urdu poets Faiz Ahmed Faiz
Faiz Ahmed Faiz
Faiz Ahmad Faiz was a Pakistani intellectual, poet, and one of the most famous poets of the Urdu language. He was a member of the Anjuman Tarraqi Pasand Mussanafin-e-Hind and an avowed Marxist. In 1962, he was awarded the Lenin Peace Prize by the Soviet Union...
,The Express Tribune Pakistan, http://tribune.com.pk/story/117151/centennial-celebration-to-an-enduring-symbol-of-resistance/, February 11th 2011 Ahmad Faraz and also on Progressive Writers Movement. For his contributions to Urdu literature, Hussain was awarded the Presidential Pride of Performance
Pride of Performance
Pride of Performance , is one of the highest civil award given and conferred by the Pakistan Government to Pakistan's citizens in recognition of distinguished merit in the fields of Literature, Arts, Sports, Medicines, and Science for civilians in most particular cases.The announcement of civil...
from the government of Pakistan.
Early life
Ashfaq Hussain was born in a lower middle classLower middle class
In developed nations across the world, the lower middle class is a sub-division of the greater middle class. Universally the term refers to the group of middle class households or individuals who have not attained the status of the upper middle class associated with the higher realms of the middle...
family in Karachi, Pakistan on January 1, 1951. The eldest son of eight siblings, he lost his mother at the age of 13. He struggled throughout his academic years by working various part time jobs. He earned his Master's Degree in Urdu Literature from the University of Karachi
University of Karachi
The University of Karachi is a public university located in Karachi, Pakistan. It serves an on-campus student population of more than 24,000. According to the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, it is ranked among the top three universities of the country...
in 1974. Hussain was elected Vice President of the Students Union of Urdu Department in 1973. He then spent one year as lecturer at Government Degree Science College, Karachi. Before migrating to Canada, Hussain was working as a Programme Officer at the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi.
Early years in Canada
Ashfaq Hussain migrated to CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in March 1980 and currently resides in Brampton
Brampton
Brampton is the third-largest city in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Canada.Brampton may also refer to:- Canada :* Brampton, a city in Ontario** Brampton GO Station, a station in the GO Transit network located in the city- United Kingdom :...
, a suburb of Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. He initially started his business in Travel and Tourism industry. Hussain founded the Writers Forum of Pakistani Canadians in 1982 and was subsequently elected President of the organization. He then established U.I. Publishers, through which he edited and published the quarterly Urdu journal , "Urdu International Canada" until 1988. Hussain was also seen on Asian Horizons, the precursor to Asian Television Network
Asian Television Network
Asian Television Network International Limited is a publicly traded Canadian broadcasting company, with 33 television channels in 9 languages, serving diverse South Asian cultural communities in Canada. ATN operates a South Asian Radio service on XM, available in Canada and the United States...
, dating back to 1980.
Career
Ashfaq Hussain started hosting an Urdu program on Asian Horizons in 1980. After initially working part-time, Hussain joined Asian Television NetworkAsian Television Network
Asian Television Network International Limited is a publicly traded Canadian broadcasting company, with 33 television channels in 9 languages, serving diverse South Asian cultural communities in Canada. ATN operates a South Asian Radio service on XM, available in Canada and the United States...
full-time when ATN beame a 24 channel in 1997. He currently serves as an Associated Producer at Asian Television Network, Newmarket. He is regularly hosting the following TV shows: Urdu Rang, Asian Horizon and Asian Digest.
Amongst the thousands of celeberities whom Hussain has interviewed since the 1980s, notable includes:
- Dilip Kumar
Dilip Kumar
Dilip Kumar , is an Indian actor and a former Member of Parliament.He lives in Pali Hill, Bandra in Mumbai, India. He is commonly known as "Tragedy King",and is described as "the ultimate method actor" by Satyajit Ray....
- Lata Mangeshkar
Lata Mangeshkar
Lata Mangeshkar is a singer from India. She is one of the best-known and most respected playback singers in India. Mangeshkar's career started in 1942 and has spanned over six and a half decades. She has recorded songs for over a thousand Hindi films and has sung songs in over thirty-six regional...
- Kader Khan
Kader Khan
Kader Khan is an Indian film actor, comedian, script and dialogue writer. He graduated from Ismail Yusuf College affiliated to Mumbai University .-Early life:...
- Ghulam Ali
Ghulam Ali
USTAAD Ghulam Ali is a Pakistani ghazal singer of the Patiala gharana. He is not to be confused with the Indian singer Bade Ghulam Ali Khan or Chhote Ghulam Ali, who is another Pakistani singer in the Qual Bachon Gharana....
- Zia Mohyeddin
Zia Mohyeddin
Zia Mohyeddin is a Pakistani actor famed for his voice.He was born in Faisalabad, , British India in a Urdu Speaking Family. He passed his early life in Karachi. He was trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London from 1953-1956...
- Tahira Syed
Tahira Syed
Tahira Syed is a Ghazal and folk singer in Pakistan. She is the daughter of vocalist Begum Malika Pukhraj, and was the former wife of Naeem Bokhari.- Music career :...
- Talat Aziz
Talat Aziz
Talat Aziz is a popular ghazal singer from Hyderabad, India.-Early life:Born in Hyderabad, India to Abdul Azeem Khan and Sajida Abid, a famous Urdu writer and poet...
- M. F. Husain
- Sudhir Narain
- Faiz Ahmed Faiz
Faiz Ahmed Faiz
Faiz Ahmad Faiz was a Pakistani intellectual, poet, and one of the most famous poets of the Urdu language. He was a member of the Anjuman Tarraqi Pasand Mussanafin-e-Hind and an avowed Marxist. In 1962, he was awarded the Lenin Peace Prize by the Soviet Union...
- Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi
- Jamiluddin Aali
Jamiluddin Aali
Nawabzada Mirza Jamiluddin Ahmed Khan better known as Jamiluddin Aali , PP, HI, is a noted Urdu poet, critic, playwright, essayist, columnist, and scholar of Pakistan...
- Munir Niazi
Munir Niazi
Munir Ahmad, better known as Munir Niazi, SI was an Urdu poet from Pakistan who also produced poetry in the Panjabi language.Niazi was born in Khanpur on 19 April 1928, a village near Hoshiarpur, India. He was from the Niazi tribe...
- Ahmad Faraz
- Professor Gopi Chand Narang
Gopi Chand Narang
Gopi Chand Narang is an Indian scholar of Urdu language and literature, an eminent Urdu writer, scholar, critic and linguist. He is author of many books in Urdu, Hindi and English....
- Ali Sardar Jafri
Ali Sardar Jafri
Ali Sardar Jafri was an Urdu writer, poet, critic and film lyricist from India.-Early life and education:Ali Sardar Jafri was born in an aristocratic family in Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh, where he spent his formative years....
- Farooq Leghari
Farooq Leghari
Sardar Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari was the eighth President of Pakistan from November 14, 1993 until December 2, 1997...
- Iftekhar Arif
- Dr. Ludmila Vaseleva.
For his outstanding contributions, Hussain received a Lifetime Achievement Award from ATN in 2007.
2010 Vancouver Olympics
In February 2010, ATN provided coverage of various events of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Hussain provided sports broadcasting of many events, such as freestyle skiing and long track speed skating. On February 13, Hussain and special Olympic guest analyst Salman Bazmi provided play-by-play analysis of Canada's first olympic medal at the games; a silver medal by Jennifer HeilJennifer Heil
Jennifer Heil is a Canadian freestyle skier from Spruce Grove, Alberta. Heil started skiing at age two. Jennifer Heil won the first gold medal for Canada in the 2006 Winter Olympics games in Turin, Italy and a silver medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, which was also Canada's first...
in Freestyle skiing
Freestyle skiing
Freestyle skiing is form of skiing which used to encompass two disciplines: aerials, and moguls. Except the two disciplines mentioned earlier Freestyle Skiing now consists of Skicross, Half Pipe and Slope Style...
, women's moguls. The following day, Hussain and Bazmi provided play-by-play analysis of Canada's first ever gold medal at an Olympic games held in Canada. Alexandre Bilodeau
Alexandre Bilodeau
Alexandre Bilodeau is a Canadian freestyle skier from Montreal, Quebec. Bilodeau currently resides in Rosemère, Quebec. Bilodeau won a gold medal in the men's moguls at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, becoming the first Canadian to win a gold medal at an Olympic Games held in Canada after...
won the gold medal in Freestyle skiing
Freestyle skiing
Freestyle skiing is form of skiing which used to encompass two disciplines: aerials, and moguls. Except the two disciplines mentioned earlier Freestyle Skiing now consists of Skicross, Half Pipe and Slope Style...
, men's moguls.
Authored
- Faiz Ek Jaiza (1977)
- Aitabar (1979)
- That Day Will Dawn (1985)
- Neendar Nal Rishta (1986)
- Hum Ajnabi Hain (1992)
- Faiz Habib e Amberdast (1992)
- Faiz ke Maghrabi Hawaley (1993)
- Faiz shakhsiat aur fun (2006)
- Ahmad Faraz: yadoon ka ek sunehra waraq (2008)Interface Pakistan, http://www.interface.edu.pk/students/Jan-09/Literary-activity-in-2009.asp, January 2009
- Aashian Gum Karda (2009)
- Mein Gaya Waqt Nahin Hoon(2010)(Published In India)
- Sheeshoan Ka Masiha (2011)The Express Tribune Pakistan, http://tribune.com.pk/story/113640/the-faiz-centennial-celebrations/, February 3rd 2011
Co-Authored/Edited
- Urdu for Children: Book One - Teacher's Manual (McGill-Queen's University PressMcGill-Queen's University PressThe McGill-Queen's University Press is a joint venture between McGill University in Montreal, Quebec and Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario....
, 1997) - Urdu for Children: Book One - Part One (McGill-Queen's University PressMcGill-Queen's University PressThe McGill-Queen's University Press is a joint venture between McGill University in Montreal, Quebec and Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario....
, 1997) - Urdu for Children: Book One - Part Two (McGill-Queen's University PressMcGill-Queen's University PressThe McGill-Queen's University Press is a joint venture between McGill University in Montreal, Quebec and Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario....
, 1997) - Urdu for Children: Book One - Workbook (McGill-Queen's University PressMcGill-Queen's University PressThe McGill-Queen's University Press is a joint venture between McGill University in Montreal, Quebec and Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario....
, 1997) - Pazeerai: A Tribute to Ahmad Faraz (2001)
- Urdu for Children: Book Two - Teacher's Manual (McGill-Queen's University PressMcGill-Queen's University PressThe McGill-Queen's University Press is a joint venture between McGill University in Montreal, Quebec and Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario....
, 2004) - Urdu for Children: Book Two - Let's Read Urdu Part One (McGill-Queen's University PressMcGill-Queen's University PressThe McGill-Queen's University Press is a joint venture between McGill University in Montreal, Quebec and Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario....
, 2004) - Urdu for Children: Book Two - Let's Read Urdu Part Two (McGill-Queen's University PressMcGill-Queen's University PressThe McGill-Queen's University Press is a joint venture between McGill University in Montreal, Quebec and Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario....
, 2004) - Urdu for Children: Book Two - Let's Write Urdu Part One (McGill-Queen's University PressMcGill-Queen's University PressThe McGill-Queen's University Press is a joint venture between McGill University in Montreal, Quebec and Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario....
, 2004) - Urdu for Children: Book Two - Let's Write Urdu Part Two (McGill-Queen's University PressMcGill-Queen's University PressThe McGill-Queen's University Press is a joint venture between McGill University in Montreal, Quebec and Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario....
, 2004) - Urdu for Children: Book Two - Stories and Poems Part One (McGill-Queen's University PressMcGill-Queen's University PressThe McGill-Queen's University Press is a joint venture between McGill University in Montreal, Quebec and Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario....
, 2004) - Urdu for Children: Book Two - Stories and Poems Part Two (McGill-Queen's University PressMcGill-Queen's University PressThe McGill-Queen's University Press is a joint venture between McGill University in Montreal, Quebec and Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario....
, 2004) - Faiz: A Poet of Peace from Pakistan (co-authored with Dr Khalid Sohail, 2011)
Books Dedicated to Ashfaq Hussain
- Tanqeedi Mabahis by Professor Dr. Sharib Rudaulvi, Delhi, India (1995)
- Bilmushafa by Professor Dr. Hasan Rizvi, Lahore, Pakistan (1995)
- Adab Aur Adab Ki Ifadiat by Professor Dr. Farman Fatehpuri, Karachi, Pakistan (1996)
His Urdu poetry has been translated in English and Punjabi.
Sample of Poetry
A SUGGESTIONYou think
that by wearing a green spectacle
these dry meadows
will turn verdant and fresh
these hapless harvests
will pluck out their autumnal garb
like a dry leaf
at the hands of which merciless winds,
loses its being.
You think
that just because of the laughter on your lips
the bitterness of this environment
will self-destruct and die
but this is not possible.
Why not snatch the trembling helplessness
from the lips of our environment?
Let us pluck out the moonlight
which hides behind a ruined wall,
let us look for light.
Life is our birthright
Let us save it from death.
A LOVE POEM FOR MY SON
With your eyes, I
will see those days
which have yet to come.
With your feet, I
will run very fast
on dream pathways
which are still obscure
With your hands , I
will touch those mountains
whose very thought
makes me breathless
Those mountains and those roads
on which you walk,
a new era
that is yours.
I will not even see
this new era
but my eyes will kiss
its every moment,
with these bright eyes
that are your eyes.
In your eyes
like light I shine
like love I abide
like a dream I am alive
In your beautiful eyes
all my dreams
hide in a special corner;
and if perchance these dreams
bloom with fragrance of flowers
in their sweet scent
you should keep
all the letters of my name
with care.
Videos
A collection of his work can be seen by clicking on the following links:- Aalami Mushaira, Karachi 1991
- A Tribute to Faiz Ahmed Faiz, ATN 2006
- Interview with Aalami Akhbar, 2010
- Remembering Urdu poets at Niagara Falls, 2010
- Chehray with Prof Dr Pervez Pervazi, 2010
- Presidential Pride of Performance Award Ceremony, March 23rd 2011
Awards
- Maulana Mohammad Ali Johar Award (Delhi, India)
- Saleem Jafri International Award (Doha, Qatar)
- Asian Television Network Life Time Achievement Award 2007 (Newmarket, Canada)
- Mr Ashfaq Hussain was announced as a recipient of the Presidential Pride of Performance award by the Government of Pakistan on August 14, 2010 becoming the first Pakistani Canadian to be honored with the civil award. He received the award in a ceremony on March 23, 2011.
Views on Poetry
Hussain on poetry:“Poetry is something that knows no boundaries and is perhaps the only part of literature which influences public opinion regardless of country, nation or state affiliations.”
“The progressive movement has ended but progress can’t. That is why I consider my poetry progressive in nature and think it would remain so because literature can’t be static.”
Hussain on Faiz:
Faiz’s multi-faceted work was “deep enough for one to drown in.”
External links
- Ashfaq Hussain - The Official Website
- Mazameen, Dr Sohail, March 1993
- Urdu Manzil
- Tribute paid to Ashfaq Hussain, Dawn Newspaper Pakistan, December 18th 2003
- Urdu Conference Begins Today, Pakistan Press Foundation, November 26th 2008
- Launch of 'Ahmad Faraz: yadoon ka ek sunehra waraq', Pakistan Literary Events, January 2009
- The Daily News Karachi, March 27th 2010
- Pak-born Canadian Urdu poet honoured, The Tribune India, April 22nd 2010
- Hussain hopeful for Urdu literature, The Daily News Karachi, August 17th 2010
- Aalmi Akhbar, August 18th 2010
- Pride of Performance Award for Urdu poet Ashfaq Hussain, Canadian Asian News, Vol.14 No.185, August 15-30 2010
- Celebrating Ashfaq Hussain's Pride of Performance Award, Dr Sohail, 2010
- The Faiz centennial celebrations, The Express Tribune Pakistan, February 3rd 2011
- Centennial celebration: To an enduring symbol of resistance, The Express Tribune Pakistan, February 11th 2011
- Remembering Faiz: ‘Sometimes I still dream about cricket’, The Express Tribune Pakistan, February 13th 2011
- Governor confers civil awards, The Express Tribune Pakistan, March 24th 2011
- 48 receive President's awards, Business Recorder, March 24th 2011
- Glowing tributes paid to acclaimed poet, The News International, April 9th 2011