A lasting voice against oppression
'Jab zulm-o-sitam ke koh-e-garan, rooyi ki tarah ud jayenge, hum dekhenge'
(When the mountains of oppression and cruelty will float away like cotton, we will see).
These words of Urdu titan Faiz Ahmed Faiz continue to resonate even today, bringing hope to the oppressed and inspiring generations of young and old alike. A testament to his commitment to social justice and human rights, Faiz's poetry is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest moments, the human spirit can persevere.
His iconic verses, such as 'Hum dekhenge' and 'Bol ke lab azad hain tere", have become anthems of resistance, inspiring generations to challenge oppression and fight for their rights. He was also a member of the Progressive Writers' Movement that sought to use words as a weapon against social injustice.
With over 200 incredible poems, 100 essays, articles and translations to his credit, many know Faiz as a writer par excellence. But very few know, he was a Second Lieutenant in the British Army, editor of the Pakistan Times and also a member of the Communist Party.
Faiz was born in Sialkot district of British Punjab. His family was known in literary circles and Faiz grew up seeing gatherings of poets and writers at his home. In his college years, he met revolutionary philosopher MN Roy and Bengali politician Muzaffar Ahmed, who influenced him towards communism.
He would later co-found the Communist Party of Pakistan. However, the communist Faiz leaves many critics confused as he went from being a secular Marxist to eventually subscribing to Islamic socialism. As his life progressed, his poems became more religious, even suggesting that he ultimately aimed for an Islamic revolution.
But, long before he become involved in political affairs, in May 1942, Faiz was commissioned in the British Indian Army as a Second Lieutenant. He received rapid promotions in succession but left the army as a temporary Lieutenant Colonel after witnessing the 1947 Kashmir war.
After leaving military service, he became the editor of the Pakistan Times in 1947 and vice-president of the Pakistan Trade Union Federation (PTUF) in the coming year. In 1950, he joined the delegation of Pakistan PM Liaquat Ali Khan. However, his involvement with the Communist Party and Pakistan's then Major Gen Akbar Khan's coup plan landed him in jail, where he spent over four years, before his sentence was commuted.
But, this was not to be his last time behind bars. Faiz was repeatedly detained for his progressive and pro-communist stance, forced to leave Pakistan, but only to return back to his soil.
In the 1960s, former Pakistan PM Zulfikar Ali Bhutto lobbied for Faiz, who was given an honorary position at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. But, in 1979, Faiz left Pakistan after learning about Bhutto's execution and took asylum in Lebanon. After the renewal of the Lebanon War in 1982, he returned to Pakistan for the final time.
However, this time he returned in poor health and passed away due to complications arising out of lung and heart-related ailment in 1984. His passing left a void in the literary world, but his words continue to resonate with unparalleled vigour.
His life was marked by his unflinching commitment to his art and principles. His poetry reflected his deep connection with the common man, his struggles, and aspirations. There was also a romantic side of his pen as he wrote many verses that celebrate the beauty of love and human experience.
His romantic verses are a masterclass in subtlety, conveying emotional depth with remarkable precision. In 'Kuch ishq kiya, kuch kaam kiya', Faiz writes about the intertwined nature of love and life, reminding us that even in the midst of struggle, there is always room for beauty and passion.
Recognising his immeasurable legacy and long associated ties with the Soviet Union, the USSR honoured Faiz with the Lenin Peace Prize in 1962, making him the first Asian poet to receive the honour. He was also nominated for the Nobel Prize in literature, and posthumously honoured by the Pakistan Government, which conferred upon him the nation's highest civil award — Nishan-e-Imtiaz — in 1990.
