Habib Jalib Biography
Full Name: Habib Jalib
Born: 24 March 1928
Place of Birth: Hoshiarpur, Punjab, British India
Nationality: British Indian (1928–1947), Pakistani (1947–1993)
Religion: Islam
Occupation: Urdu poet, Political activist
Notable awards: Nigar Awards, Nishan-i-Imtiaz
Habib Jalib Biography :
- Birth and Migration: Habib Jalib, born as Habib Ahmad on March 24, 1928, originated from a village near Hoshiarpur, British India. He migrated to Pakistan following the partition of India.
- Revolutionary Poet: Jalib emerged as a prominent Pakistani revolutionary poet and left-wing activist, vehemently opposing martial law, authoritarianism, and state oppression throughout his life.
- Career at Daily Imroze: Initially employed as a proofreader for the Daily Imroze in Karachi, Jalib’s talent as a progressive writer soon captured attention. He quickly garnered an audience through his passionate recitation of poetry.
- Socio-Political Themes: Jalib’s writing style was characterized by plain language, simplicity, and directness, focusing on common people and societal issues. However, it was his unwavering conviction, emotive delivery, and deep understanding of the socio-political landscape that resonated profoundly with audiences.
- Praise from Faiz Ahmed Faiz: Renowned Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz hailed Jalib as the poet of the masses, recognizing the power and impact of his work on the broader population.
- Opposition to Military Coups: Jalib fearlessly spoke out against military coups and oppressive administrations, resulting in multiple incarcerations throughout his life as a consequence of his activism and outspokenness.
( Last Updated: 20 January 2022 )