Najm Hosain Syed
Najm Hosain Syed (born 1936) is a Pakistani writer. He has written poetry and plays in the Punjabi language as well as literary criticism on Punjabi literature in his Recurrent Patterns in Punjabi Poetry (1968).[1][2]
Early life and career
Najm Hosain Syed was born in 1936 in Batala, Punjab, British India and later moved to Lahore, Pakistan after the independence of Pakistan in 1947.[1][2] He received his master's degree in English from Forman Christian College, Lahore in 1958. For his career, he joined the Pakistan Civil Service and worked there until his retirement in 1995.[1] He was married to classical singer Samina Syed, who died in 2016.[3]
Najm Hosain Syed has mentored many writers and has been a source of guidance for many others interested in Punjabi literature. He has a reputation of being a shy person who does not like to leave his town, Lahore. He reportedly does not give interviews on television or radio. He chooses to publish his books with relatively less-known publishers.[1]
Major works
Najam Hussain Syed has written poetry, criticism and plays in Punjabi. He is considered pioneer of the modern Punjabi literature. His Major Works include:
- Deewa Mundri (2010),
- Gal Waar Di (2010)
- Khyal Dukkad (2011)
- Rang (2000)[1]
- Khappay (1986) - Punjabi Adabi Markaz, Lahore[4][1]
- Kafian (1976)[4]
- Chandan Rukh Tay Vehda[2]
- Kkyal keh Khayal
- Takht Lahore
- Alfo Pairni Di Vaar[5][1]
- Bar di Var (1969)[1]
Many works of Syed are directed in the form of plays by Huma Safdar's theatre "Sangat" such as "Rajni"[6] and Ik Raat Ravi Di.[7]
References
- Zubair Ahmad. "Najm Hosain Syed: A Literary Profile" (PDF). (Punjab.global.ucsb.edu ) Journal of Punjab Studies, University of California Santa Barbara campus website. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
- Randeep Singh (27 April 2014). "Modern Punjabi Poetry: Poetry from West Punjab". rspurewall.wordpress.com website. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
- Ahmed, Shoaib (18 September 2016). "Najm Hosain Syed's wife passes away". DAWN (newspaper). Retrieved 20 December 2019.
- "West Punjabi Poetry: From Ustad Daman to Najm Hosain Syed". Academy of the Punjab in North America (APNA) website. Center for Sikh and Punjab Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara. 1 May 2006. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
- "Najam Books List at Puncham.com". Archived from the original on 31 August 2019. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
- Correspondent, The Newspaper's (21 February 2020). "Rajni performed at Sahiwal college". DAWN.COM.
- "Punjabi is the language of love, activism and art, says Lahore-based thespian". The Indian Express. 25 December 2015.