Dr Farman Fatehpuri remembered on 13th death anniversary

Karachi (Web Desk): The 13th death anniversary of distinguished Urdu scholar, linguist, researcher and writer Dr Farman Fatehpuri is being observed today (Monday), as literary circles pay tribute to his remarkable contribution to Urdu language and scholarship.

Dr Farman Fatehpuri was born in 1926 in Fatehpur, India. He received his early education at Madressah Islamia Fatehpur and later completed his Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Agra University.
Following the partition, he migrated to Pakistan in 1950 and settled in Karachi.

In 1958, he earned a master's degree in Urdu from the University of Karachi, graduating with first position. He further advanced his academic career by completing his PhD in 1965 on Urdu Mein Manzoom Daastanein, a study of narrative poetry in Urdu literature.

His scholarly achievements continued in 1974 when he obtained a Doctor of Literature (DLitt) degree for his research titled Urdu Shu’ra Ke Tazkarey Aur Tazkira Nigari, focusing on the tradition of documenting the lives of Urdu poets.

The distinction made him the first individual in Pakistan to receive a DLitt degree. He remained affiliated with the Urdu Department of the University of Karachi for around three decades and, in 1985, took charge as secretary and chief editor of the Urdu Dictionary Board.

Over the course of his career, Dr Fatehpuri authored numerous influential books and established himself as one of the foremost authorities on the poetry and thought of Ghalib and Iqbal.

His well-known works include Urdu Rubaee, Urdu Ki Manzoom Daastan, Naya Aur Purana Adab, Mirza Shoq Ki Masnaviyan, Urdu Imla Aur Rasmul Khat, Urdu Ki Naa’tiya Shaeri, Iqbal Sub Ke Liyey, and Ghalib Shaer-i-Imroz-o-Farda.

He was also a devoted disciple and admirer of eminent scholar Niaz Fatehpuri, who founded and edited the respected literary journal Nigar. After the passing of Niaz Fatehpuri, Dr Farman Fatehpuri assumed editorial responsibility for the magazine and continued its publication.

In recognition of his invaluable services to Urdu literature and academia, the Government of Pakistan conferred upon him the Sitara-e-Imtiaz in 1985.

Dr Farman Fatehpuri passed away in Karachi on this day in 2013, leaving behind an enduring literary and academic legacy that continues to influence generations of students, scholars and lovers of Urdu literature.