Imtiaz Ali Taj

Syed Imtiaz Ali Taj was a prominent Pakistani dramatist who wrote extensively in the Urdu language. He gained widespread fame for his 1922 play Anarkali, a work that has been staged hundreds of times. This specific play served as the foundation for various feature films in both India and Pakistan.

Early life and education

Born in Lahore on 13 October 1900, he was the son of Sayyid Mumtaz Ali. His father was a noted figure known as Shams-ul-Ulema due to his contributions to Urdu drama. The family had relocated to Lahore following the 1857 Indian revolt in Delhi. His mother, Muhammadi Begum, gave him the nickname 'Mera Taj' during his childhood.

When he began his writing career, he adopted the literary pseudonym "Taj". During his student years, he demonstrated significant literary skill by translating and directing several English plays. He occasionally performed in female roles because girls were not encouraged to act at that time. After completing his studies in Lahore, he started working at Dar-ul-Ishaat Punjab, which was his father's publishing house.

He contributed to the women's magazine Tahzeeb-e-Niswan and the children's journal Phool. He worked on Phool alongside Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi and Ghulam Abbas Ahmed. Additionally, he co-founded the literary journal Kehkashan with Maulana Abdul Majeed Salik.

Career

Taj is most recognized for his 1922 romantic play Anarkali, which is considered a milestone in Urdu drama. The story follows a beautiful slave girl named Anarkali who falls in love with Prince Salim. This romance results in a tragic death for the protagonist. He modified the play in 1930 and released a reprint in 1931 using a modern prose genre.

The plot inspired several films, including a 1953 production that maintained the original tragic ending. His work also provided the basis for the 1960 Indian film Mughal-e-Azam. While that film featured a happy ending, Taj noted that the movie lacked historical authenticity. He acted as a vital link between the playwright Agha Hashr and contemporary Pakistani writers.

In 1926, he wrote the comedy Chacha Chakkan, which remains one of the funniest characters in Urdu drama. This character is reportedly based on Uncle Podger from the works of Jerome K. Jerome. He also translated Shakespearean plays into Urdu, such as A Midsummer Night's Dream, which he titled Sawan Rain Ka Sapna.

His professional activities extended to various media and institutions. He helped promote the Lahore Arts School through his involvement with local theatre stalwarts. From 1958, he served as the director of Majlis, a translation board that republished Urdu literature. Following the independence of Pakistan in 1947, he hosted the popular Radio Pakistan program titled Pakistan Hamara Hai.

Personal life

He married Hijab Imitiaz Ali, who lived from 1908 to 1999. His life ended tragically on 19 April 1970, when unknown assassins murdered him while he slept in his bed. Hijab was seriously wounded during the attack as she attempted to rescue him.

Awards and recognition

He received the Pride of Performance award for his contributions to literature. His play Anarkali remains a permanent fixture in the annals of Urdu dramatic history.