Faiz Ahmed Faiz: Life and Literary Style

Abstract

Love of Liberty and Freedom is a universal feeling. It is a feeling that has been growing among mankind and is not limited to a few individuals or areas. It is this desire for freedom that led the Muslims of the subcontinent to struggle for a separate homeland. The result of this struggle under the leadership of the Quaid-i-Azam was the establishment of an independent sovereign state, Pakistan, on 14 August 1947. It was decided that the national language of this new state would be Urdu. Prior to independence Urdu had been spoken in different areas of undivided India. Each area had its distinct dialect and accent. There was a constant tussle for dominance between the Delhi and Lucknow schools of thought. With the establishment of Pakistan this versatile language developed and grew rapidly under the influence of the major regional languages viz. Pushto, Balochi, Sindhi and Punjabi. Now the language and literature of Urdu developed with a new identity and diction. Writers had to deal with the trauma of rioting and massive displacement of people that Partition caused. The most prominent writers of the day, particularly of the Progressive Writers Movement that included prominent writers like Faiz Ahmed Faiz, were writing works that reflected the problems of the day. The period between 1947 and the 1950’s was a time when nearly every writer was experimenting with new methods and ideas. Leftist and socialist views were very popular. Among the poets of the time Faiz Ahmed Faiz stands out like a bright star.