Ahmed Faraz (Syed Ahmed Shah) was born on January 14, 1931, in Naushehra, Pakistan. Faraz went to Islamia High School, Kohat for his early education. He got his bachelors degree from EdwardCollege, Peshawar. Later, he did his masters in Urdu and Persian from PeshawarUniversity. He began composing poems when he was still at school and by the time he reached college he had already acquired an identity of a poet in the literary circles of Peshawar. He held a number of jobs in different capacities. Initially he joined Radio Pakistan as Producer. Then he joined IslamiaCollege, Peshawar as Lecturer in Urdu and Persian. Next, he became Resident Director of Pakistan National Centre. On completion of that assignment he became Chairman of Literatures of Pakistan and from there took the position of Chairman of Folk Heritage of Pakistan. He has also been the Chairman of National Book Foundation, Pakistan.
In the contemporary setting Ahmed Faraz is one of the most popular poets. In fact, other than Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Sahir Ludhianvi and Habib Jalib, Faraz is the only poet who attained immense popularity in his lifetime. The mystery of such remarkable fame and success lies in his poetic expression that is direct and unwavering. Secondly his poems and ghazals are brimming with intensity of feeling that finds impulsive expression in an essentially lyrical diction. Like Faiz and Sahir he is equally popular among the common readers and the connoisseurs of literature. Since he is deeply involved in the Progressive Movement, most of the themes of his poetry are naturally socio-political. In a country like Pakistan espousing such themes, more often than not, leads to a confrontation with the orthodox elements of society and with the rulers. We, therefore, may decipher a streak of anti-establishment in his poetry. Despite his commitment to social causes, Faraz, like Faiz, restricted himself to go over board in the poetic treatment of his themes. He shuns sloganeering and in softer tones give expression to his ideas and feelings. He knows the art of maintaining an equilibrium between commitment and aesthetic stipulations of poetry.
Published books: Tanha Tanha, Dard Aashub, Na-yaft, JanaaN JanaaN, Shab Khoon, Meray Khab Reza Reza, Be Awaaz Gali KoochoN MeiN, Naabeena Shehr MeiN Aaina, Pas Andaaz Mausam, Paimaan.
Awards: Adamji Award (Pakistan's highest literary award), Abaseen Award, Firaq Gorakhpuri Award, Tata Award, Academy of Urdu Literature Award (Canada).
