Ali Arshad Mir
{{Short description|Pakistani Punjabi-language poet (1951–2008)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Ali Arshad Mir
| native_name = {{lang|pa|{{nobold|{{nq|علی ارشد میر}}}}}}
| image = Professor Ali Arshad Mir.jpg
| caption = Photograph of Arshad Mir
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1951|1|1|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Chishtian, Punjab, Pakistan
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2008|10|16|1951|1|1}}
| death_place = Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
| resting_place = Chishtian, Punjab, Pakistan
| occupation = {{Hlist|Professor|Poet}}
| other_names = Homer of Punjab
}}
{{Punjabis}}
Ali Arshad Mir ({{langx|pa|{{Nastaliq|علی ارشد میر}}}}; 1 January 1951 – 16 October 2008) was a Pakistani epic poet and writer of the Punjabi language, often described as the "Homer of Punjab".{{Cite web |url=https://www.nation.com.pk/17-Oct-2011/glowing-tributes-for-arshad-mir |title=Glowing Tributes for Arshad Mir |access-date=2013-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213101/http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/lahore/17-Oct-2011/Glowing-tributes-for-Arshad-Mir |archive-date=2013-10-04 |url-status=live }} His works have been translated into languages such as Urdu and English. In the 1970s, his International Anthem brought him recognition. His lines like "Girti huyi deewaro'n ko aik dhaka aur do" ({{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|گرتی ہوئی دیوارون کو ایک دھکا اور دو}}}}; Give the falling walls one more push) are a popular slogan in Pakistan and around the world. His work includes dozens of poems that depict the socio-economic condition of society's oppressed people.[https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/557196-seventeen-sketches-and-a-book Punjabi bohemian poet]
Personal life
Ali Arshad was born in a Muslim family in a Chishtian district, 250 km away from Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. He completed his M.A. in Punjabi language, and was appointed as an Associate Professor in Government M.A.O College Lahore. Later, he joined Government Degree College Depalpur, Okara as its Principal.[https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/561473-interview-waqas-khwaja-transitional-man Famous poet Ali Arshad Mir] He also worked with Mazdoor Kissan Party. He was a dervish, down to earth and straightforward man who would never go for flattery for any favours or for compromises. That’s why he was transferred 26 times during his educational career as an educationist. He was also a great activist who always raised a voice for rights of workers and those pushed to the margins of society [https://www.dawn.com/news/1522288 Life of Ali Arshad Mir]
Major works
Mir Sahab wrote his first work of poetry at the age of 16 and was considered an "Inqilabi", or profound poet, from a very early age.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxfOQKlEcFs Professor Mir] He dedicated his life to the depiction of the suffering of the underprivileged. His poems are considered a source of inspiration for oppressed people.[http://www.aajkal.com.pk/index.aspx?dt=11-Nov-2009&pg=6500 Daily Aaj Kal Newspaper report] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213115/http://www.aajkal.com.pk/index.aspx?dt=11-Nov-2009&pg=6500 |date=2013-10-04 }} In the 1970s, he wrote the revolutionary international anthem, "Girti hui deewaro ko aik dhaka aur do",{{YouTube|2oXVpDAFFuQ|Benazir Bhutto in jacobabad}} which remains a popular slogan used in rebellions. In the same era, he wrote a Pakistani shadow play, Ravi Sy Bias Tak. He compiled the posthumous work of Ustad Daman and named it Daman Daye Moti.[https://tribune.com.pk/story/1572138/1-pakistani-literature-showcases-national-writers Ali Arshad Mir national writers]
Kaifi Azmi translated Mir's poems to Urdu. Waheed Ahmed{{Cite web |url=http://www.ovguide.com/waheed-ahmed-9202a8c04000641f8000000000948f3a |title=Dr. Waheed Ahmed |access-date=2013-09-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002225024/http://www.ovguide.com/waheed-ahmed-9202a8c04000641f8000000000948f3a |archive-date=2013-10-02 |url-status=dead }}'s poem "khana badosh", considered a major Urdu work, was derived from Mir Sahab's epic poem "Gawathi Katha di War".
Legacy
Mir Sahab died in October 2008.[http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2011/10/14/city/lahore/ali-mir-remembered Ali Mir sahab Remembered] His last words were "nazam kuj chair baad samny ay gee" and he rests in Bahawalnagar Punjab, Pakistan.{{YouTube|TUhp9sS0vj8|Homer of Punjab}}
His literary work was published posthumously. His book Ik Katha De War consists of autobiographical notes about his life, beliefs and teachings. The play Ravi Sy Bias Tak is included in the syllabus of National College of Arts.
Every year, the Mir Foundation organizes Punjabi Mela,{{Cite web |url=http://www.defence.pk/forums/strategic-geopolitical-issues/16647-qaeda-ready-take-over-punjab.html |title=Pakistan Defense |access-date=2013-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005021514/http://www.defence.pk/forums/strategic-geopolitical-issues/16647-qaeda-ready-take-over-punjab.html |archive-date=2013-10-05 |url-status=dead }}[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTddOcqBzvA 9th Punjabi Mela] an event that consists of poets and people associated with Punjabi literature paying Mir tribute by organizing his works.{{YouTube|OLiyLZQfQlc|3rd Punjabi Mela}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C11%5C22%5Cstory_22-11-2008_pg7_20 |title=Daily Times |access-date=2013-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004221637/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C11%5C22%5Cstory_22-11-2008_pg7_20 |archive-date=2013-10-04 |url-status=dead }}{{YouTube|Zcp2rWMjDDM|Poet Prof Ali Arshad Mir Condolence Seminar}} In 2018, First Dalit Mela was organized by Mir foundation and MNS University of Agriculture which depicted hardship, life and culture of lower caste Hindus residing in Pakistan,[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otkny4WAAn4 First Dalit Mela] it had several events and dramatized plays based on works of prominent writers like Munshi Premchand.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDgCo25GmyE 10th Punjabi Mela][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XTJepiVrWA 11th Punjabi Mela][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVgqvlCTmcY Mir Punjab Mela] The festival has a lot to offer including literary sessions, performances, stalls and last but not the least food-for-thought conversations by various speakers. The festival also has several books and handicrafts stalls promoting cultural diversity and education.[https://www.dawn.com/news/1522288 Mir Punjabi Festival Kicks off]
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://zeenews.india.com/news/south-asia/al-qaeda-can-take-over-pakistan-s-punjab-province-safma_485540.html Zee news November 22, 2008]
- [http://www.ajfpk.org/show-art.php?artid=&bname=AJF-47&type=Art19&image_id=1 Ali Arshad Mir]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mir, Ali Arshad}}
Category:Pakistani dramatists and playwrights
Category:Poets from Punjab, Pakistan