Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi

Poet, story writer and editor of Funoon, a mentor to generations of writers

UrduPoet, short-story writer and editor

Khuda kare ke meri arz-e-paak par utre / Woh fasl-e-gul jise andesha-e-zawaal na ho

"May God bring to my pure land a season of flowers that never fears decline."

Life

Ahmad Shah Awan, who wrote as Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi, was born in a village in the Salt Range and studied in Bahawalpur. He worked in government jobs and in journalism before devoting himself to literature.

He wrote both poetry and short stories, many of them about rural Punjab, and edited the respected literary magazine Funoon for decades. He also headed the Majlis-e-Taraqqi-e-Adab in Lahore.

Major works

Short stories: Stories of village life, poverty and injustice, such as those in Kapas ka Phool.
Poetry: Several collections of ghazals and poems, including the much-quoted prayer for Pakistan above.
Funoon: The literary magazine he edited, which introduced many young writers, among them Parveen Shakir.

Themes and style

Humanity, rural life, social justice, patriotism and faith, in a gentle and humane voice.

Legacy

He is remembered as a towering figure of Urdu literature and a mentor to many younger writers. He received the Pride of Performance and the Sitara-e-Imtiaz.