Dilawar Figar: The King Of Humor in Sindh, Pakistan

Biography of

Dilawar Figar

Dilawar Figar, (1929–1998) was a renowned humorist, poet and scholar of Pakistan. He was termed as Shehansha-e-Zarafat (King of humor) and Akbar-e-Sani for his satire and humor.

Early life and career of Dilawar Figar

Dilawar Figar was born as Dilawar Hussain on the day of July 8, 1929 in Badayun, Uttar Pradesh, and British India. He got his early education in his hometown, and after that joined Agra University where he received his M.A. degree in (Urdu). He also did his M.A. in (English) and M.A. in (Economics). Dilawar Figar linked himself with the teaching profession.

He shifted to Pakistan from India in the year of 1968 and settled in Karachi city. He joined Abdullah Haroon College as a teacher, where the famous poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz was the principal at that time. Figar taught Urdu literature there. He also worked for Karachi Development Authority as an Assistant Director-Town Planning. He died on the day of January 25, 1998 in Karachi city at age 68.

Contribution to Urdu literature

Figar initiated writing in the year of 1942 at the age of fourteen and soon got assistance of fellow writers, Maulvi Jam Nawai Badayuni, Maulana Jami Badayuni. His literary work contains Ghazals, humorous poems, and their translation in English:

• Mein Vote Kis Ko Doon ?– This witty poem became very popular during the 1970 General Elections in Pakistan
• Haadisay (collections of Ghazals)
• Sitam Zarifiañ (collections of humor poetry)
• Shamat-e-Aamaal (collections of humor poetry)
• Aadaab Arz (collections of humor poetry)
• Assar-e-Nau (collections of humor)
• Unglian Figar Apni (collections of humor poetry)
• Matla Arz Hai (collections of humor poetry)
• Century (collections of humor poetry)
• Khuda Jhoot Na Bulwa’ay (collections of humor poetry)
• Chiragh-e-Khandañ (collections of humor poetry)
• Aaina-e-Raghib (125 rubaiyaat of Raghib Muradabadi)
• Khushbu Ka Safar (translation of selected English and American poetry)
• Khoob Tar Kahan (translation of ‘Why Not the Best’ – biography of President Jimmy Carter)
• Aabshar-e-Noor (poetic explanation of Sura Fatiha)
• Sila-e-Shaheed Kia Hai? (poetic biography of recipients of Nishan-e-Haider martyrs)
• Fi Sabeel Lillah (collections of humor poetry)
• Kaha Suna Maaf Karna (collections of humor poetry)