Harris Khalique

{{Infobox person

| name = Harris Khalique

| image = HK2020Pic.jpg

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption =

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1966|10|20}}

| birth_place = Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan

| citizenship = Pakistani

| known_for = Poetry, Writing, Activism

}}

Harris Khalique ({{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|حارث خلیق}}}}{{ltr}}; born 20 October 1966) is a Pakistani poet in Urdu, English and Punjabi{{cite web | url=https://www.karachiliteraturefestival.com/speakers/harris-khalique/ | title=Harris Khalique | Karachi Literature Festival | access-date=2023-02-16 | archive-date=2023-02-16 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216191354/https://www.karachiliteraturefestival.com/speakers/harris-khalique/ | url-status=live }} and a civil society activist.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} Khalique has authored ten collections of poetry and two books of non-fiction.

In March 2018, the Government of Pakistan awarded him the Presidential Pride of Performance to acknowledge his contribution to poetry.{{Cite news|url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/president-mamnoon-confers-civil-military-awards-complete-list/|title=President Mamnoon confers civil, military awards on Pakistan Day (complete list)|work=Daily Pakistan Global|access-date=2018-03-26|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-03-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326143943/https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/president-mamnoon-confers-civil-military-awards-complete-list/|url-status=live}}

In 2013, he was awarded the UBL Literary Excellence Award in the category of Urdu poetry for his collection Melay Mein.{{Cite web|url=https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/harris-khalique|title=Harris Khalique|date=7 September 2021|access-date=14 July 2020|archive-date=17 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717004108/https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/harris-khalique|url-status=live}} He is also a University of Iowa Honorary Fellow in Writing.{{Cite web|url=https://iwp.uiowa.edu/writers/harris-khalique|title=KHALIQUE, Harris | the International Writing Program|access-date=2020-07-17|archive-date=2020-07-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706150444/https://iwp.uiowa.edu/writers/harris-khalique|url-status=live}} During the 1980s and 1990s, some of his poems faced censorship in Pakistan.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} Anthologised and published internationally, he is translated into several languages and his poetry is composed to music and dance.{{cite web | url=https://foliobooks.pk/product/no-fortunes-to-tell/ | title=No Fortunes to Tell – Folio Books | access-date=2023-02-16 | archive-date=2023-02-16 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216194217/https://foliobooks.pk/product/no-fortunes-to-tell/ | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1008888/gulsher-pays-homage-to-aps-victims | title='Gulsher' pays homage to APS victims | date=12 December 2015 | access-date=16 February 2023 | archive-date=8 August 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808153415/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1008888/gulsher-pays-homage-to-aps-victims | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/lauded-pianist-and-composer-vijay-iyer-headlines-city-of-asylums-jazz-poetry-concert/Content?oid=1852748 | title=Lauded pianist and composer Vijay Iyer headlines City of Asylum's Jazz Poetry Concert | access-date=2023-02-16 | archive-date=2023-02-16 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216194215/https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/lauded-pianist-and-composer-vijay-iyer-headlines-city-of-asylums-jazz-poetry-concert/Content?oid=1852748 | url-status=live }}

Early life and education

He was born in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan to filmmaker and writer Khalique Ibrahim Khalique.{{Cite web |last=Mahmood |first=Dr Naazir |date=2019-04-28 |title=POETRY: CHALLENGING THE NARRATIVE IN VERSE |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1478873 |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en |archive-date=2023-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031071743/https://www.dawn.com/news/1478873 |url-status=live }} He lived and worked in Europe before moving to Islamabad, Pakistan.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} Khalique's paternal ancestors were Kashmiris who had converted to Islam and settled in Lucknow, Awadh.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} His maternal ancestors were from Amritsar, Punjab.{{Cite web|url=http://www.iwpcollections.org/harris-khalique|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180701205609/http://www.iwpcollections.org/harris-khalique|archive-date = 2018-07-01|title = Harris Khalique}}

Khalique holds a degree in mechanical engineering from the NED University of Engineering and Technology in Karachi, and a master's degree in development management from the London School of Economics and Political Science.{{cite web |title=Speakers – Islamabad Literature Festival |url=https://islamabadliteraturefestival.com/speakers/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250601132707/https://islamabadliteraturefestival.com/speakers/ |archive-date=June 1, 2025 |access-date= |website=Islamabad Literature Festival}}

Career

Harris Khalique has managed and advised organisations, development projects and human rights campaigns in Pakistan, South Asia and Europe.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} He has worked with the Aga Khan Foundation, Amnesty International and United Nations agencies.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/444626-harris-khalique-appointed-hrcp-secretary-general|title=Harris Khalique appointed HRCP secretary general|access-date=2020-07-17|archive-date=2020-07-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717110521/https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/444626-harris-khalique-appointed-hrcp-secretary-general|url-status=live}} Since March 2019, he is the Secretary-General of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/444626-harris-khalique-appointed-hrcp-secretary-general|title=Harris Khalique appointed HRCP secretary general|access-date=2020-07-17|archive-date=2020-07-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717110521/https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/444626-harris-khalique-appointed-hrcp-secretary-general|url-status=live}} He has published papers and spoken at national and international conferences on history, culture, politics and issues surrounding human rights and international development.{{Cite web|url=https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/harris-khalique|title=Harris Khalique|date=7 September 2021|access-date=14 July 2020|archive-date=17 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717004108/https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/harris-khalique|url-status=live}} He has written for Dawn,{{cite web| url = https://www.dawn.com/| title = Home - DAWN.COM| access-date = 2020-07-17| archive-date = 2020-07-17| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200717112350/https://www.dawn.com/| url-status = live}} The News International,{{cite web| url = https://www.thenews.com.pk/| title = The News International: Latest News Breaking, Pakistan News| access-date = 2020-07-17| archive-date = 2007-09-30| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930023721/http://www.thenews.com.pk/update_detail.asp?id=11144| url-status = live}} The New York Times,{{cite web| url = https://www.nytimes.com/| title = The New York Times - Breaking News, US News, World News and Videos| access-date = 2020-07-17| archive-date = 2014-01-08| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140108144641/http://www.nytimes.com/| url-status = live}} The Hindu,{{cite web| url = https://www.thehindu.com/| title = The Hindu: Breaking News, India News, Sports News and Live Updates| access-date = 2020-06-01| archive-date = 2020-06-01| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200601115119/https://www.thehindu.com/| url-status = live}} The Friday Times{{cite web| url = https://www.thefridaytimes.com/| title = Home - The Friday Times - Naya Daur| access-date = 2020-07-17| archive-date = 2020-07-28| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200728052837/https://www.thefridaytimes.com/| url-status = live}} and Deutsche Welles (English).{{Cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/top-stories/s-9097|title=News and current affairs from Germany and around the world | DW|website=Deutsche Welle|access-date=2020-07-17|archive-date=2014-12-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210152813/http://www.dw.de/|url-status=live}}

Literary accomplishments

He gave the keynote speeches at the 12th International Urdu Conference in December 2019,{{cite web | url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1520628 | title='Poetry & stories cannot be penned when one is gasping for breath' | date=6 December 2019 | access-date=16 February 2023 | archive-date=16 February 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216200114/https://www.dawn.com/news/1520628 | url-status=live }} at the 11th Karachi Literature Festival in March 2020,{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/622354-karachi-literature-festival-literature-teaches-us-to-celebrate-differences-among-ourselves|title=Karachi literature festival: 'Literature teaches us to celebrate differences among ourselves'|access-date=2020-07-17|archive-date=2020-07-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717120219/https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/622354-karachi-literature-festival-literature-teaches-us-to-celebrate-differences-among-ourselves|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1537673|title='Relationship between art and power has always remained tricky'|date=2 March 2020|access-date=17 July 2020|archive-date=17 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717112542/https://www.dawn.com/news/1537673|url-status=live}} at the 8th Faisalabad Literary Festival in November 2021 {{cite web | url=http://www.faisalabadliteraryfestival.org/speakers.php | title=Faisalabad Literary Festival | access-date=2023-02-16 | archive-date=2023-02-16 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216200116/http://www.faisalabadliteraryfestival.org/speakers.php | url-status=live }} and at the 7th Ayaz Melo in December 2021.{{cite web | url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/921738-on-the-ayaz-melo | title=On the Ayaz Melo | access-date=2023-02-16 | archive-date=2023-02-16 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216211518/https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/921738-on-the-ayaz-melo | url-status=live }}

=Critical appreciation=

Leading academic scholar, language historian and author Dr. Tariq Rahman writes, “…Harris Khalique is a major Pakistani poet in English. He uses condensed imagery and laconic, simple and highly evocative words to convey his meaning.” [https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/567622-sorrows-hopes "Of sorrows and hopes | Literati | thenews.com.pk"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216182523/https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/567622-sorrows-hopes|date=2023-02-16}} Literary critic, linguist and scholar Fateh Mohammad Malik says, “Harris Khalique stands out amongst his generation of poets. He is the true progressive voice of our times who inspires us to stand for the poor and weak, not by sloganeering in verse but by using aesthetically powerful and contemporary poetic idiom".{{cite web | url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/660100/stand-out-harris-khalique-praised-for-his-award-winning-book | title=Stand out Harris: Khalique praised for his award winning book | date=17 January 2014 | access-date=16 February 2023 | archive-date=8 April 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408072337/http://tribune.com.pk/story/660100/stand-out-harris-khalique-praised-for-his-award-winning-book/ | url-status=live }} Poet and essayist Omar Perez{{cite web | url=https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/omar-perez | title=Omar Pérez | date=12 March 2023 | access-date=16 February 2023 | archive-date=16 February 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216193001/https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/omar-perez | url-status=live }} (Son of Ernesto Che Guevara) writes, “Harris Khalique explores with self contained mastery, the contrasts between official and untold history."{{cite web | url=https://www.libertybooks.com/no-fortunes-to-tell-9789697834044 | title=No Fortunes to Tell - 9789697834044 | access-date=2023-02-16 | archive-date=2023-02-16 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216193002/https://www.libertybooks.com/no-fortunes-to-tell-9789697834044 | url-status=live }} Distinguished scholar-in-residence, St Michael’s College, Vermont, Kristin Dykstra {{cite web | url=https://www.smcvt.edu/about-smc/directories/employee-directory/kristin-dykstra/ | title=Kristin Dykstra | access-date=2023-02-16 | archive-date=2023-02-16 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216193004/https://www.smcvt.edu/about-smc/directories/employee-directory/kristin-dykstra/ | url-status=live }} writes, “ His [Khalique's] meditations refract violence, each abstracting human need from a detailed portrait of sorrow.” {{cite web | url=https://www.libertybooks.com/no-fortunes-to-tell-9789697834044 | title=No Fortunes to Tell - 9789697834044 | access-date=2023-02-16 | archive-date=2023-02-16 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216193002/https://www.libertybooks.com/no-fortunes-to-tell-9789697834044 | url-status=live }} Speaking of his Urdu poems, poet Zehra Nigah said, “Khalique’s poetry has image-making, wonderment, history and characterisation. It is difficult to include all these elements in a nazm (poem).” {{cite web | url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1663865 | title=Harris Khalique's poetry collection launched | date=15 December 2021 | access-date=16 February 2023 | archive-date=16 February 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216182521/https://www.dawn.com/news/1663865 | url-status=live }} Author, critic and professor of Urdu literature, Dr Nasir Abbas Nayyar writes, “Khalique’s poems afford a central place to those things, people and occurrences whose existence is either erased, or pushed to the margins, or put in constant danger by the forces of the bazaar.” {{cite web | url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1669693 | title=Poetry: Undercutting the Monarchs | date=16 January 2022 | access-date=16 February 2023 | archive-date=19 February 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219231511/https://www.dawn.com/news/1669693 | url-status=live }}

=Poetry collections=

Hairaa'n Sar-i-Bazaar (Urdu, 2021). {{ISBN|978-969-419-106-5}}
No Fortunes to Tell (English, 2019). {{ISBN|978-9697-834044}}
Melay Mein (Urdu, 2012). {{ISBN|978-969-419-044-0}}
Ishq Ki Taqveem Mein (Urdu, 2006). {{ISBN|969-419-023-1}}
Between you and your love (English, 2004, Revised and Expanded, 2012)
Purani Numaish (Urdu, 2001)
Saray Kaam Zaroori Thay (Urdu, 1997). {{ISBN|969-441-019-3}}
Divan (English, 1998)
If wishes were horses (English, 1996)
Aaj Jab Hui Baarish (Urdu, 1991)

=Essay collection=

Crimson Papers: Reflections on Struggle, Suffering and Creativity in Pakistan (English, 2017). {{ISBN|9780199407323}} {{cite web|url=http://www.iwpcollections.org/harris-khalique|title=The Burden of Belonging|work=International Writing Program|accessdate=1 June 2020|first=Harris|last=Khalique|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701205609/http://www.iwpcollections.org/harris-khalique|archivedate=1 July 2018|url-status=live}}

=Co-edited volume of essays=

Pakistan: Here and Now (English, 2021). {{ISBN|978-969-23600-0-5}}

=Creative non-fiction=

Unfinished Histories (co-written, English, 2002). {{ISBN|969-516-065-4}}

=Monographs=

The Latent Transformation: Challenges, Resilience and Successes of Pakistani Women (2011)
Pakistan Mein Syasi Tabdeeli Ki Simt (Co-written, Urdu, 2007)
Pakistan: The Question of Identity (2003)

=Anthologies where work appeared=

Windows on the World – 50 writers, 50 views. Penguin US, 2014. {{ISBN|978-1594205545}}
Look at the city from here. Oxford University Press, 2010. {{ISBN|978-969-7592-01-2}}
Pakistani Urdu Verse. Oxford University Press, 2010. {{ISBN|978-0195478914}}
Language for a New Century. W.W. Norton and Co., 2008. {{ISBN|978-0820326498}}
The Poetry of Men’s Lives, The University of Georgia Press. 2004. {{ISBN|978-0820326498}}
Dragonfly in the Sun – 50 years of Pakistani writing in English. Oxford University Press, 1997. {{ISBN|978-019-5778-48-9}}
Best Asian Poetry 2021-2022, Kitaab, 2022. {{ISBN|978-981-1800-37-5}}
Azadi Magro'n Punjabi Nazm, Pakistan Punjabi Adabi Board, 2011. {{ISBN|978-969-4111-99-5}}

References

External links

[https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/harris-khalique Harris Khalique] at the Poetry Foundation

Category:1966 births

Category:Living people

Category:English-language poets from Pakistan

Category:International Writing Program alumni

Category:Muhajir people

Category:NED University of Engineering & Technology alumni

Category:Pakistani civil rights activists

Category:Pakistani columnists

Category:Pakistani essayists

Category:Pakistani people of Kashmiri descent

Category:People of Punjabi descent

Category:Poets from Karachi

Category:Recipients of the Pride of Performance

Category:Urdu-language poets from Pakistan

Category:Writers from Islamabad