ISLAMABAD: Eminent Urdu linguist, researcher, writer, critic and scholar Farman Fatehpuri was remembered on his 98th birth anniversary. He is widely regarded as supreme authority on life and work of Ghalib.

Born on January 26, 1926 in Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh, his real name was Syed Dildar Ali. He received his matriculation from Fatehpur and intermediate education from Allahabad in 1948 and graduated from Agra University in 1950. Farman migrated to Pakistan in 1950 and settled in Karachi.

He completed his Master of Arts, LLB and B.T. from Karachi University. In 1965, he obtained his PhD degree. Wrote many scholarly articles, book reviews and editorials.

Farman Fatehpuri received Sitara-e-Imtiaz Award for his literary accomplishments in 1985 from President. He holds honour of being first Pakistani with D.Litt (Doctor of Letters) in Urdu in 1974. He remained associated with Karachi University for nearly 30 years and taught many PhD students and researchers. He was later chief editor and secretary of Urdu Dictionary Board in 1985. He served as member of Civil Services Board of Sindh. He became editor of monthly publication, Nigar-oldest Urdu literary journal.

Farman's works and ideas have had strong influence on researchers investigating poetry and prose of Ghalib and Urdu linguistics. He was author of more than 60 titles on Urdu poetry of Ghalib and Allama Iqbal, including linguistics, critique and biography. He peacefully died in his sleep during very early morning on August 3, 2013 and he was buried in Karachi University graveyard.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 27 2024

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