Enver Sajjad

Enver Sajjad
Born
Anwar Sajjad

(1935-11-27)27 November 1935
Lahore, Punjab, British India
Died6 June 2019(2019-06-06) (aged 84)
Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

Anwar Sajjad, more commonly known as Enver Sajjad (27 November 1935 – 6 June 2019) was a Pakistani playwright and fiction writer. Because he was a novelist, playwright, actor, director, producer, voice-over artist, columnist, painter, dancer and physician,[1] he has been described as a polymath.[2][3]

Anwar Sajjad, commonly known as Enver Sajjad (27 November 1935 – 6 June 2019), was a Pakistani writer, playwright, actor, director, painter, dancer, voice-over artist and physician. He was associated with Urdu short fiction, Pakistani television and theatre, and was known for experimental and symbolic writing in Urdu literature.[4][5] He received the President's Pride of Performance in 1989.[4][5]

Early life and education

Sajjad was born in Lahore on 27 November 1935.[6][7] He studied medicine and completed his MBBS from King Edward Medical College, Lahore.[4][6] He later obtained a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene from London.[4] After returning to Lahore, he practised medicine for a time at his father's clinic in Chuna Mandi, Lahore.[4]

Literary career

Sajjad began writing in the early 1950s while still a teenager.[8] His first novelette, Rag-i-Sang, was published in 1955.[4] His later works included Chauraha, Janam Roop, Khushiyon Ka Bagh, Neeli Notebook, Talash-i-Wajood, Zard Konpal, Rassi Ki Zanjeer, Nigar Khana Saba and Samandar.[4][6] He was known as the founding father of modern Urdu fiction and was credited by Dawn with introducing an abstract style into Urdu short-story writing.[4]

His short-story collection Chauraha was first published in 1965 and later appeared in a second edition in 1986.[9] His collection Istearay was published in 1970.[4][9] His book of essays, Talash-e-Vajood, was also discussed as an important statement of his views on art, culture, history and literature.[9]

Sajjad also translated The Blue Notebook, a novella by Soviet writer Emmanuil Kazakevich, into Urdu as Neeli Notebook.[8] According to Naazir Mahmood in The News International, Sajjad translated the work while imprisoned after the 1977 military coup in Pakistan.[8] Mahmood also wrote that Sajjad's novel Khushiyon Ka Bagh was written in August 1979 and was influenced by the work of the Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch.[8]

Television, theatre and performing arts

Sajjad was part of the early generation of writers and performers associated with Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV).[5] He wrote several television plays, including Picnic, Raat Ka Pichla Pehar, Koyal and Yeh Zameen Meri Hai.[5][7] The Express Tribune also stated that he wrote the first commissioned play telecast in the subcontinent in November 1964.[10]

In addition to writing, Sajjad acted in a number of PTV productions.[7] He was nominated for a PTV award for his performance in the drama serial Saba aur Samandar.[5] He was also known as a voice-over artist, teacher, painter and actor.[5][7] Sajjad remained active in Lahore's literary and artistic circles and chaired the Pakistan Arts Council Lahore before moving to Karachi.[5] In later years, he oversaw the scriptwriting department at the National Academy of Performing Arts, leaving the position because of illness and other grievances.[5]

Political and cultural associations

Sajjad was associated with progressive literary circles in Pakistan.[4] According to Dawn, he was a member of cultural and literary organisations and also had a long affiliation with the Pakistan Peoples Party.[4] Members of the Progressive Writers Movement remembered him after his death as a writer who continued to speak against capitalism and retained his political and artistic commitments.[4]

Personal life

Sajjad was married to actress and lawyer Zaib Rehman.[11] They had two daughters, Ayesha and Priya.[11]

Death

Sajjad died in Lahore on 6 June 2019 after a prolonged illness. He was 84.

Works

Fiction and essays

Television plays

Theatre plays

  • Aik Thi Malika
  • Khatra-e-Jan
  • Meri Jan
  • Faslay

Awards and recognition

  • President's Pride of Performance, 1989[4][5]
  • Lifetime Achievement Award from the Progressive Writers Movement, 2019[4]

References

  1. ^ Editorial (8 June 2019), "Dr Enver Sajjad", The Express Tribune. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  2. ^ Xari Jalil (8 June 2019), "Eminent writer, actor Enver Sajjad passes away", Dawn News. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  3. ^ "Why Enver Sajjad Was Happy Not to Be the 'Best'", The Wire. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Jalil, Xari (8 June 2019). "Eminent writer, actor Enver Sajjad passes away". Dawn. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Friends, followers remember Dr Enver Sajjad". The Express Tribune. 8 June 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  6. ^ a b c "Acclaimed playwright Dr Anwar Sajjad laid to rest". The News International. 7 June 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g "Death anniversary of playwright, writer Anwar Sajjad observed". Radio Pakistan. 6 June 2026. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  8. ^ a b c d e f Mahmood, Naazir (15 June 2019). "The art of Enver Sajjad". The News International. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g Mahmood, Naazir (16 June 2019). "The art of Enver Sajjad". The News International. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  10. ^ "Dr Enver Sajjad". The Express Tribune. 8 June 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  11. ^ a b Ghafoor, Usman (7 March 2010). "I am like putty in the director's hands — Zaib Rehman". Good Publicity (with UG). Retrieved 12 June 2026. Published in The News On Sunday, March 07, 2010
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