Men of Letters Series 'Shafiq-UR-Rehman' Issue Date:- 06-06-2013 (2013-13)

Men of Letters Series Shafiq-ur-Rehman Commemorative Postage Stamp June 06, 2013:- He was born on November 9, 1920 in a small town near Rohtak, India.

Shafiq-ur-Rehman was an illustrious humorist and a short-story writer of Urdu language. He was a medical Doctor by profession, and served in Pakistan Army.

He received his education in Bahawalpur. He completed his MBBS from King Edward Medical College Lahore in 1942, and post-graduation in 1952. He began writing humorous stories during his school days.

His stories were published in a literary monthly magazine “Khayyam”. His book “Kirnain” was completed before he joined medical college and it was published in 1938 while he was still a medical student. It was followed by Shagoofay, Lehrain, Maddojazar, Parvaaz, Himaqatain, Mazeed Himaqatain, Dajla (a travelogue), Insaani tamasha (a translation of “a human comedy”) and lastly Dareechay.

Though he was a humorist, but generally there is an air of romance I his writings. Early in his career, he became a household name. His popularity increased manifold from his second book “Shagoofay”

His later books “Lehrain” and “Parvaaz” further established him as a high class humorist. His wit and repartee put him way ahead of some of his contemporaries. Though his humor is not shy of practical jokes, he uses it sparingly. His jokes have meaning beneath the surface but on the outside they amused everyone to laugh.

As far as parodies are concerned, hardly any humorist in urdu can reach his level in satire and wit. His five parodies “Qissa Chahar Darvesh”, Qassa-i-Hatim Tai bai tasweer”, Qissa Professor Ali Baba Ka”, “Tuzk-i-Nadri urf siyahat nama-i-Hinda” and “Safar nama Jahazbad Sindhi Ka” are fine satires on our history and culture.

Shafiq became very popular among adolescent. He often philosophizes about joys and sorrows, sweeping the young readers with the bouts of optimism and pessimism, giving semi-philosophical, semi-romantic explanations to the queries that haunt the youth. In Urdu Language his style is comparable to that of Stephen Leacock and Mark Twain in English Literature.

He continued to write till his death. He gave a new look to Urdu humor and is the inspiration for many of the Leading humorists nowadays. He created a world that was very real with all its joys, pains and anguish. It was an affirmation of human values and compassion. The Language he used is simple and spontaneous.

His unforgettable characters include Shaitaan, Hukoomat Aapa, Maqsood Ghora, Buddy, Nannha and others. He ruled the world of humor for almost 60 years.

Shafiq-ur-Rehman joined the Indian Army Medical Corps and served at different war fronts during ther Second World War. After partition, he joined the Pakistan Army and rose to the rank of Major General. After his retirement, he served as Chairman of the Academy of letters of Pakistan from 1980 to 1985. During his tenure, the Academy of Letters really flourished and touched its zenith as a Literary Institution.

Grief came to his happy life in the shape of sad death of his son Khalique on account of an accident and his wife’s prolonged illness.

He died on March 19, 2000 in Rawalpindi.

He was awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz for his military and civilian services on March 23, 2001 after his death. He wrote following books:-

·         Kirnain

·         Shagoofay

·         Lehrain

·         Madd-o-Jazar

·         Pachtaway

·         Parwaaz

·         Himaqatain

·         Mazeed Himaqatain

·         Dajlah

·         Insaani Tamasha (a translation)

·         Dareechay

On Men of Letters Series Shafiq-ur-Rehman, Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.8/- denomination on June 6, 2013.