Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi is an important figure in Urdu literature in Pakistan. He was born on 20 November 1916. He is not only an Urdu poet; instead, he is also a journalist, literary critic, and dramatist as well.
Ahmad Nadeem is also the author of many short stories that gained immense fame in Pakistan and other countries. He wrote about fifty books on different topics, such as poetry, fiction, criticism, and journalism.
In contemporary Urdu, he is a prominent figure and much appreciated by the large community of readers. His poetry of humanism distinguished him from other Urdu writers and poets. His specialization in Urdu Afsana made him a unique personality in Urdu literature.
In Urdu Afsana (short story), Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi is considered second to Prem Chand. In his Urdu Afsanas, he depicted an accurate picture of Pakistan’s rural culture, which is regarded as the popular culture of this country because most of the population in Pakistan resides in the countryside, where they pass with agriculture. The belongingness to agriculture reflects the pure Punjabi culture of Punjab and Pakistan.
Schooling
Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi was born in the Khushab District of Punjab in the Awan family. This potohar plateau is essential in many fields, especially for military personnel. The British mostly used to recruit military men from this region. Qasmi got his early education from his native village and high school in Campbellpur (now Attock) in 1931.
Later, for higher studies, Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi went to Bahawalpur and got admission to Sadiq Egerton Colege. Further, he set on to go to Lahore and graduated from the University of Punjab, Lahore, in 1935. He has one brother named Peerzada Muhammad Bakhash and one sister. He participated actively in Progressive Writers Movement and was arrested many times during the 1950s and 1970s.
Literal Activities
Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi has a very long experience in his career in literature. He has worked for journals like Phool, Tehzeeb-i-Insan, Adab-i-Lateef, Savera, and Naqoosh. Qasmi had his journal Funoon that added some different qualities to his personality of Qasmi.
He also worked as an editor for Daily Imroze. He also contributed to national newspapers such as Rawn Dawn and Daily Jang weekly. His poetry attracts readers through its inspiring nature. It includes traditional Gazals and Modern Nazams.
He also worked as an editor for Daily Imroze. He also contributed to national newspapers such as Rawn Dawn and Daily Jang weekly. His poetry attracts readers through its inspiring nature. It includes traditional Gazals and Modern Nazams.
Career
Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi remained a very active figure for the rights of the writers. Due to his active participation in literal matters, he was appointed General Secretary of Anjmun-e-Taraqqi Passand Musannifeen (Progressive Writers Movement) in 1948. Later in 1949, he was elected as the secretary general for the organization of Pakistan.
Furthermore, in 1962, Qasmi published his literal magazine Fanoon with the active support of other literary personalities like Khadija Mastoor, Hajra Masroor, Amjad Islam Amjad, and Ata ul Haq Qasmi. He continued to make progress and qualified for different steps to move forward.
His active role in the literal community made him prominent everywhere that in 1974, he was appointed as secretary general of Majlis-e-Taraqee-Adab. It was a literary body organized and established by the government of West Pakistan in 1958.
Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi Literary Works/ Books
Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi produced some literary works. His work can be divided mainly into Poetry and Short Stories. Here is a list of significant works of Qasmi.
Poetry
- Jalal-o-Jamal
- Shola-i-Gul
- Rim Jhim
- Kisht-i-Wafa
Short Stories
- Chopaal
- Gandasa
- Sannata
- Kapaas Ka Phool
- Aabley
- Tuloo-o-Gharoob
- Sailab-o-Gardaab
- Anchal
- Baseet
- Muheet
- Dasht E Wafa
- Ghar Se Ghar Tak
- Nila Pathar
- Dawam-dar-o-Deewar
- Bazar-e-Hayat
- Koh Paima
- Aas Paas
- Jhoota
Awards and Prizes
Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi received many important awards and prizes. Some of the prestigious awards received by Qasmi are the following.
- Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 1968
- Sitara-i-Imtiaz by the President of Pakistan in 1980
- Legitimate Achievement Award by Pakistan Academy of Letters
Death
Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi passed away on 10 July 2006 in Lahore. She left a daughter Naheed Qasmi. She was the head of the Urdu dept. in Samanabad College.
At last, I hope you liked the biography and book details of Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi. You may also want to check Agha Shorash Kashmiri: Biography and Literary Work.