The most renowned poet, biographer and scholar Jaun Elia’s 16th death anniversary is today.
While talking to APP, the Managing Director of National Book Foundation, Mr. Inamul Haq Javed said,
“In the field of modern Urdu poem and ghazal, John Elia was equally liked by people. He is known as the best poet of simple language and his short poems are especially outstanding. Elia’s short verses have become the identity of his literary legacy”.
Furthermore, he said that the uniqie writing style and rare ideas of Elia fascinates the readers and he will always be remembered for his greatest services to the Urdu language as he was one of the greatest poets the Urdu language has ever produced.
Jaun Elia was born in Amroha, Uttar Pradesh in 1931. He migrated to Pakistan in 1957 and settled in Karachi. He was just 8 years old when he wrote his first Urdu couplet. His famous poetry collections include Shayed, Ya’ni, Gumaan, Lekan, and Goya. He also had complete command over Arabic, Persian, and Hebrew. He was a highly skilled translator.
He got the Presidential Pride of Performance Award for his literary services. He died on November 8, 2002, after a protracted illness.
Jaun was very particular about language. His diction is rooted in the classical tradition as he touches on new subjects.
He acquired knowledge of philosophy, logic, Islamic history, the Muslim Sufi tradition, Muslim religious sciences and Western literature.
