LAUNCH: Ambassador of Italy to Qatar Guido De Sanctis, right, with his Pakistani counterpart Shahzad Ahmed launching the Italian translation of Amjad Islam Amjad’s book.

By Umer Nangiana


A living legend and one of the greatest Pakistani poets, playwrights and lyricists, Amjad Islam Amjad, has been rendering words to countless characters for television besides providing lyrics for ever-green melodies for decades.
Those following Pakistan’s ever vibrant TV drama can never forget Waris — a Pakistan Television (PTV) production drama series of 1979 that became a huge hit and its popular character Chaudhry Hashmat — a critique of feudal system in Pakistan. It was penned by none other than Amjad Islam Amjad at the peak of his creative prowess.
The process of creativity has never stalled for the 70-year-old writer whose latest work, a collection of poetry, has been translated into Italian language. Cento Poesie D’amore or “Hundred Poems of Love” was formally launched in Qatar by Pakistan Arts Society-Qatar (PAS).
The book is the latest among translations in foreign languages of poems of Professor Amjad and was launched by ambassador of Italy to Qatar Guido De Sanctis along with Pakistan ambassador Shahzad Ahmad at a ceremony organised by PAS at Marriott Marquis, City Center Doha Hotel.
The poems in the ‘Hundred Poems of Love’ have been translated by none other than late Vito Salierno, the well-known orientalist, who previously had translated the works of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, Pakistan’s national poet, besides Jallaludin Rumi, the greatest Sufi poet. Salierno, who was also the President of Iqbal Foundation Europe, passed away in 2013 before the book could be published.
“I had met Vito in Italy a couple of years ago and shared with him a few translations of my poetry in English. He was very excited and wanted to translate them. But what is sad is that today when the translation has been published, he is no longer with us,” said Amjad, in his message from Islamabad, Pakistan.
He said his poems have been translated into various languages as assorted poems but never as a book before adding that it was a great privilege for him to be published in the Italian language in book form.
In his advice to upcoming poets and writers, Amjad asked them to gain a command on their native language. “All I can say to upcoming poets is that you can only cross borders by having command over your own language and body of knowledge. Respect and recognition will just follow,” said the famous poet.
Amjad has many accolades to his name. He is an educationist, an Urdu poet, playwright, lyricist, screenplay writer and columnist from Pakistan. His main focus has been on writing poems and he currently writes a column in Pakistan’s largest circulating local language daily, The Express under the title Chasham-e-Tamasha.
Born in Lahore, Pakistan in 1944, Amjad originally belongs to Sialkot city in Punjab. He received his secondary education in Lahore, and graduated from Government Islamia College Civil Lines, Lahore. He did his Masters of Arts in Urdu literature from Punjab University Lahore and began his career as a lecturer from M.A.O College Lahore.
He worked as a director at PTV from 1975 to 1979 before returning to teaching. In 1989, Amjad was appointed as Director General of Urdu Science Board. He has also worked as a project director of the Children Library Complex.
Amjad has written many drama serials for PTV with Waris being the jewel in his crown. He may or may not write another serial so popular but his poetic talent is legion. His other famous TV dramas include Dehleez (Threshold), Samandar (Sea), Raat (Night), Waqt (Time) and Apnay Loag (Our People).
The collection of his poetry includes Fishar, Barzakh, Us par, Satwan dar, Zara phir say kehna, Seher aasar, Barish ki aawaz, Itnay khwab kahan rakhoon, Mairay bhe hain kuch khwab and Hum us kay hain.
He was awarded the Pride of Performance and Sitara-e-Imtiaz, the highest civilian award by the Government of Pakistan, for his literary work. He has 16 Graduate Awards and 12 PTV Awards for the best writer to his credit.
Amjad, in a brief ceremony, also presented a copy of the Italian translation of his book to Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry at Foreign Office in Islamabad.
He appreciated the cooperation extended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan in getting the translation and publication of his books done. The Foreign Secretary lauded Amjad Islam Amjad’s extensive contribution for promotion of Pakistani literature abroad.
Guido De Sanctis, the Italian ambassador while addressing the audience at the ceremony here in Qatar said that he looks forward to more Urdu literature being translated into foreign languages.
“Love, respect and compassion are common among all cultures. Such events help in understanding each other as well as bringing people of different cultures and countries closer,” said Sanctis.
He thanked PAS and its members for the initiative. Ambassador of Pakistan Shahzad Ahmad reaffirmed Sanctis’s views about the initiative adding that it was a step forward towards showing the real image of Pakistani society and crossing the language barrier.
“I would like to see somebody also translating the Italian literature and works of famous poets and writers in Urdu,” said Ambassador Ahmad, while speaking to the audience at the occasion.
Earlier, the two chief guests were welcomed by prominent members of the Pakistani community in Qatar including Muhammad Akram Butt, Dr Mazhar A Monga, Bilal Amanullah Moti, Shabber Ali and others.
Mohammad Abrar Hussain, the President of PAS, delivered the welcome note. He said there are many things in every culture which can be learnt from each other and are mutually beneficial.
“This world has become a global village and new global culture is emerging. Some of the traditionally conservative cultures are witnessing more openness towards other cultures. It’s not only the diplomatic relations, but the contacts among the common people which can improve relations between countries,” said Hussain.
In Pakistan, the PAS president added, there has always been a huge demand for translation of foreign literature, especially folk tales from across many different regions of the world.
Amjad’s translator Professor Vito Salierno was known as someone who devoted himself to the study of the Opera Omnia of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the poet philosopher of the Pakistani nation and spokesman of modern Islam.
The first two volumes, translated from Urdu into Italian, appeared in 2010 (The Call of the caravan) and 2011 (The Gabriel of Wing’s). He has participated in International Iqbal Conferences held in the University of the Punjab Lahore (1964), Cordova (1991), Gent (1997) and Lahore (2003),
He was chairman of the Iqbal Foundation Europe since 2007 and in this capacity he organised conferences on Iqbal in Milan in 2009 and 2010.
Hussain, the President of PAS thanked the two ambassadors and the members of the community to participate in the launch of Amjad’s latest book in Italian. The ceremony was followed by dinner.