Shafiq-ur-Rehman
Encyclopedia
Shafiq-ur-Rehman (Nov 9,1920 - Mar 19, 2000) was a famous Pakistani humorist and a short-story writer of Urdu
language. He is one of the most illustrious writers of the Urdu speaking world. Like P. G. Wodehouse
, he has given enduring pleasure to his readers. He was a medical doctor by profession, and served in Pakistan Army
.
Shafiq-ur-Rehman began writing humorous stories during his school days. His stories were published in a literary monthly magazine called Khayyam. Kirneyn, his first book was completed before he joined the medical college and was published in 1938 while he was still a medical student. His unforgettable characters include Razia, Shaitaan, Hukoomat Aapa, Maqsood Ghora, Buddy, Nannha and others.
Shafiq-ur-Rehman's work added a new dimension to humor in Urdu literature. He created a world that was very real with all its joys, pains and anguish. It was an affirmation of life and of human values: empathy, compassion and respect. Even the seemingly frivolous and trivial situations had hidden meanings that probed deep into the human psyche. His language was simple, spontaneous and expressive.
Shafiq-ur-Rehman was born in a small town near Rohtak. He was educated at Bahawalpur
, as described by Muhammad Khalid Akhter, Shafiq’s classmate at Sadiq Dean High School and a humorist in his own right. After passing his MBBS in 1942 from King Edward Medical College in Lahore
, he joined the Indian Army Medical Corps and served at different war fronts during the Second World War. After partition, he joined the Pakistan Army
and eventually rose to the rank of general. He completed his post-graduation in tropical medicine and public health from Edinburgh
, in 1952. After retiring from the army, Dr. Shafiq-ur-Rehman, served as Chairman of the Academy of Letters of Pakistan from 1980 to 1985. During his tenure, the Academy of Letters acquired a new dimension as a prominent literary institution of Pakistan. He continued to write till his death in March 2000. He was awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz for his military and civilian services after his death and his son, Atiq-ur-Rehman, received it on his behalf on 23 March, 2001.
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
language. He is one of the most illustrious writers of the Urdu speaking world. Like P. G. Wodehouse
P. G. Wodehouse
Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse, KBE was an English humorist, whose body of work includes novels, short stories, plays, poems, song lyrics, and numerous pieces of journalism. He enjoyed enormous popular success during a career that lasted more than seventy years and his many writings continue to be...
, he has given enduring pleasure to his readers. He was a medical doctor by profession, and served in Pakistan Army
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
.
Shafiq-ur-Rehman began writing humorous stories during his school days. His stories were published in a literary monthly magazine called Khayyam. Kirneyn, his first book was completed before he joined the medical college and was published in 1938 while he was still a medical student. His unforgettable characters include Razia, Shaitaan, Hukoomat Aapa, Maqsood Ghora, Buddy, Nannha and others.
Shafiq-ur-Rehman's work added a new dimension to humor in Urdu literature. He created a world that was very real with all its joys, pains and anguish. It was an affirmation of life and of human values: empathy, compassion and respect. Even the seemingly frivolous and trivial situations had hidden meanings that probed deep into the human psyche. His language was simple, spontaneous and expressive.
Shafiq-ur-Rehman was born in a small town near Rohtak. He was educated at Bahawalpur
Bahawalpur
Bahawalpur , located in the province of Punjab, is the twelfth largest city in Pakistan. The city was once the capital of the former princely state of Bahawalpur. The city was home to various Nawabs and counted as part of the Rajputana states...
, as described by Muhammad Khalid Akhter, Shafiq’s classmate at Sadiq Dean High School and a humorist in his own right. After passing his MBBS in 1942 from King Edward Medical College in Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
, he joined the Indian Army Medical Corps and served at different war fronts during the Second World War. After partition, he joined the Pakistan Army
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
and eventually rose to the rank of general. He completed his post-graduation in tropical medicine and public health from Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, in 1952. After retiring from the army, Dr. Shafiq-ur-Rehman, served as Chairman of the Academy of Letters of Pakistan from 1980 to 1985. During his tenure, the Academy of Letters acquired a new dimension as a prominent literary institution of Pakistan. He continued to write till his death in March 2000. He was awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz for his military and civilian services after his death and his son, Atiq-ur-Rehman, received it on his behalf on 23 March, 2001.
List of his books
- Kirnein (Rays of Light)
- Shagofey
- Lehrein (Waves)
- Maddojazar (Ebb and Flow)
- Parvaaz (Flight)
- Himaqatain
- Mazeed Himaqatain
- Dajla (a travalogue)
- Insaani Tamasha (a translation of “a human comedy”)
- Dareechay
- Pachtaway (Regrets)