Writers Forum to celebrate life and works of Prof. Ahmad Ali
Writers Forum will celebrate the life and works of Prof Ahmad Ali, South Asia’s iconic writer, scholar, diplomat, and co founder of progressive movement in Urdu literature, on the occasion of his 100th birthday
Professor Ahmad Ali rose on the horizon of Urdu literature with the publication of his Urdu short stories in Anagaray a book edited by him, Sajjad Zaheer, Mahmood uz Zafar, and Rasheed Jahan in 1932. Their short stories ch…allenged the Muslim religious orthodoxy, and their the then regressive culture. This book was immediately banned by the British rulers of India of that time, at the instigation of religious leaders. It is considered as the foundation stone of progressive thought and writing in Urdu language.
His English novel Twilight in Delhi is considered a South Asian Classic. It was translated in Urdu, by his wife, Bilqeece Jehan, as Dilli ki Shaam that is a masterpiece of translation that captures the language spoken by the ordinary people of Delhi, and the nuances of their culture. Twiliight in Delhi has been praised by such English literary giants as E M Forrester, and Virginia Woolfe.
Prof Ahmad Ali also edited an anthology based on his translators of major Urdu poets, under the title of The Golden Tradition. It is considered among the major books of translations introducing Urdu poetry to the global readers.
During the later years of his life Prof Ahmad Ali translated Quran into English under the title: Al Quran: A contemporary translation. Since its publication by Princeton University Press, it has become a best selling translation of Quran, and captures the heart of readers form all religions with the lyrical flow and beauty of language that is the essential trait of Quran in Arabic.
Immediately after the creation of Pakistan, its first Prime Minister Liaqat Al Khan asked Prof Ahmad Ali to join the Foreign Service. He was appointed as the first Pakistani envoy to China and established the first Pakistani embassy in China, laying the foundation of a friendship that is so dear to the people of Pakistan.
He wrote several books of prose and poetry in Urdu and English and many of these have been translated in various international languages.
The program is as follows:
Date: Sunday July 25, 2010
Time : 2 PM
Place : North York Central Library
5120 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON M2N 5N9
(416) 395-5535 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting(416) 395-5535end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting(416) 395-5535end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Subway (TTC) : North York Center
(There is ample underground parking and ample economic parking around the building)
Program:
Meet and Greet : 2-3 PM
Program begins at 3 PM.
Speakers:
Munir Saami
Shahid Akhtar
Unaiza Ahmad (will read a paper by Orooj Ahmad Ali).
Zia Ahmad
Karamtullah Ghori
Abid Jafri
There is no fee for this event, and we endeavor to serve refreshments.
Please mark your calendars and come with your friends and family, to pay tribute to a great South Asian and Pakistani mind.
Thanks.
Munir Pervaiz (Saami)
Secretary
Phone: 416 891 1807