Alys Faiz

Alys Faiz was a Pakistani poet, writer, journalist, and human rights activist. Born in London in September 1915, she eventually became a naturalized citizen of Pakistan. She is remembered for her significant contributions to social work and teaching.

Early life and education

Alys George was the daughter of a bookseller based in London. During her teenage years, she joined the Communist Party. She and her sister, Christobel, participated in leftist circles throughout the 1930s. These women maintained close connections with Indian intellectuals who lived in London.

Alys served as an unofficial secretary to Krishna Menon, who was the secretary of the Free Indian League. Her sister Christobel married Dr. M. D. Taseer and moved to India to join him at his college. Alys traveled to India in 1938 to visit her sister. When World War II broke out, she decided to make the subcontinent her permanent home.

Career

Alys Faiz worked as a member of the editorial staff at Pakistan Times newspaper starting in 1950. Her husband, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, served as the editor of the publication during this period. She specifically managed the women's and children's sections of the newspaper.

Beyond her journalistic work, she functioned as a teacher and a social worker. Her life also involved human rights activism. According to Habib R. Sulemani in The Dawn newspaper, she possessed a unique talent for reconciliation. He suggested that she helped bridge gaps between families or nations.

Personal life

The marriage between Alys George and Faiz Ahmad Faiz took place in 1941. Sheikh Abdullah solemnized the nikaah at Pari Mahal in Srinagar. This location served as the summer palace of Maharaja Hari Singh. Upon her marriage, Alys converted to Islam and received the Muslim name "Kulsoom".

Alys had two daughters named Salima Hashmi and Muneeza Hashmi. She was also the aunt of Salmaan Taseer. Her grandson is the artist Adeel Hashmi.

Alys died on 12 March 2003 in Lahore at the age of 87. She had been unwell for a period and remained at home after she suffered a hipbone fracture from a fall. She was taken to a local hospital emergency department but did not survive. She was buried in the Model Town graveyard in Lahore next to her husband, who died on 20 November 1984.

Awards and recognition

The dramatic production 'Chand Roz Aur Meri Jaan' focused on the chemistry between Faiz and Alys. This production utilized letters exchanged between the couple during the 'Rawalpindi Saazish' days. In one performance at Amritsar, actress Suchitra Gupta portrayed Alys alongside Danish Iqbal.

Habib R. Sulemani reported that Alys shaped the life and poetry of her husband. He noted that a study of Faiz cannot be complete without studying Alys as well. She is credited with giving courage to many Western women who married Pakistanis and moved to the country.