Lahore (Web Desk): The nation on Friday solemnly marked the 24th death anniversary of the illustrious Urdu poet and film lyricist, Qateel Shifai, whose profound influence on South Asian literature and cinema continues to resonate across generations.
Born in 1919 in the town of Haripur, he was named Muhammad Aurangzeb at birth, but it was under the pen name Qateel Shifai that he etched his name into the annals of literary and musical history.
He breathed his last on July 11, 2001, in Lahore.
Throughout his prolific career, Qateel Shifai authored an impressive body of work, contributing more than 2,500 songs to both Pakistani and Indian cinema. His lyrical genius gave rise to timeless melodies that were brought to life by the most iconic voices of his time, with compositions that remain etched in the cultural memory of the region.
Not confined to cinema alone, his poetic expression flourished in the classical forms of ghazals and geets, capturing the essence of emotion and human experience with striking simplicity and elegance.
His poetry found a home not only in the hearts of Urdu-speaking audiences but also across linguistic and national borders. His verses have been rendered into several languages, including Hindi, Gujarati, English, Russian, and Chinese, further broadening the reach of his literary voice.
Among his many published works, the collection Mutriba stands out, having been honoured with the highest literary award in Pakistan—testimony to the depth and brilliance of his art.
Over the course of his life, Qateel Shifai was recognised with numerous accolades for his services to literature and the arts.
These honours included the prestigious Pride of Performance Award in 1994, along with the Adamjee Award, the Naqoosh Award, and the Abasin Arts Council Award.
On this day of remembrance, writers, poets, and admirers across the country reflected on his enduring legacy and celebrated a life devoted to the enrichment of language, music, and poetic expression.
