ISLAMABAD: The 16th death anniversary of renowned poet, biographer and scholar John Elia will be observed on Thursday.
“John Elia was equally liked by people of good taste in the field of modern Urdu poem and ghazal in every era. 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,” National Book Foundation Managing Director Dr Inamul Haq Javed said while talking to APP.
Remembering Elia, he said that Elia’s rare ideas and unique writing style fascinates the readers and he will always be remembered for his greatest services to the Urdu language as he was one of the best poets the Urdu language has ever produced.
Born in Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, in 1931, Elia migrated to Pakistan in 1957 and settled in Karachi. He wrote his first Urdu couplet when he was just 8. 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.
For his literary services, he got the Presidential Pride of Performance Award. 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.
One of the most prominent modern Pakistani poets, popular for his unconventional ways, he acquired knowledge of philosophy, logic, Islamic history, the Muslim Sufi tradition, Muslim religious sciences and Western literature.
