A Pakistani intellectual honored by India

The News, February, 2006
A Rare distinction By Murad Khan Otmanzai

The Patiala University of India recently published a book on the life and writings of Fakhar Zaman, a Pakistani poet and fiction writer.

The book is written in Gurmukhi, the 16th century script of Punjabi language devised by Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh faith, and popularized by Guru Angad Dev, the second Sikh guru.

Being the script of their scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh community considers Gurmukhi -- literally meaning 'from the mouth of guru' -- as a sacred script. But it is also used by the Hindus and Muslims living in the Indian state of Punjab to represent their common spoken language, i.e. Punjabi.

The Sitara-I-Imtiaz winner Fakhar Zaman, who is also chairman of the World Punjabi Congress, is the first Punjabi writer from Pakistan who has achieved the distinction. Earlier the university had published a book on the Indian poetess and fiction writer, Amrita Pritam.

Fakhar Zaman also did a remarkable job as chairman of the Pakistan Academy of Letters. He also got the Sufi poetry of the four provinces of Pakistan translated into the seven languages of the United Nations.

Author of probably the highest number of Punjabi novels, including Sat Gawachay Lok, Ik Marey Bandey Di Kahani, Bewatna, Bandiwan, Kamzaat, etc, Fakhar Zaman is the only Punjabi writer on whose creative work more than a dozen Ph.D and M.phil theses have been written. His novels and poetry is taught at masters level in five Indian universities whereas a full paper on his writings is part of M.A. Punjabi, New Delhi University.

Other books of Mr. Zaman include Zahraab and Rastey Ki Dhool, collections of Urdu poetry, Wangaar (Punjabi poetry), Chirian Da Chamba (radio play), Bhuto, the Political Thinker (English), Gardish Mein Paaon (Urdu travelogue). Mr. Zaman is also the secretary-general of the International Congress of Writers, Artists and Intellectuals. As a part of its activities, the organization is getting foreign literature translated into Urdu.