Mohammad Hameed Shahid Explained

Hameed Shahid
Birth Date:23 March 1957
Birth Place:Pindigheb, Pakistan
Language:Urdu
Spouse:Yasmin Hameed
Children:5
Alma Mater:University of Punjab
Awards:Tamgha-i-Imtiaz

Mohammad Hameed Shahid born 23 March 1957[1] is a Pakistani Short story Writer (افسانہ نگار), Novelist (ناول نگار) and literary critic (نقاد).[2] He is well known for his fiction writings [3] in Urdu. He was awarded the  Award with Tamgha-e-Imtiaz in 2016, one of the highest literary honour given by the Government of Pakistan.

Early life and education

Shahid was born on 23 March 1957 in Pindigheb town of the Attock district in Punjab.[4] His father Ghulam Mohammad was prominent social worker and political figure of the area. After his initial education, Shahid attended the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad from 1974, where he obtained an honors degree in agriculture, horticulture. Next, he attended the University of the Punjab to study law but left before completing his studies in 1983 to return to Pindigheb as his father was seriously ill and later on died. Shahid was great friends with Javaid Anwar.[5]

Banking career

After the death of his father, Shahid decided to join the Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan in 1983. He obtained a banking diploma and also followed a number of courses on banking. He worked as Mobile Credit Officer, Operation Officer, Manager of different bank branches, Zonal Operation Officer, Head Recovery Policy and retired in 2016 while he was Vice President at Head Office Islamabad.

Literary works

Shahid's first writing was published in 1973 when he was a student of Metric. As a university student, Shahid was editor-in-chief of the university literary magazine Kisht-e-Nau (کشت نو) and it was in 1988 that he began writing fiction. His first book (پیکر جمیل) was published in 1983. His first collection of short stories, entitled Band Ankhoon se Paray (بند آنکھوں سے پرے) was published in 1994, followed by Jannum Jahunam (جنم جہنم) in 1998, Margzaar (مرگ زار) in 2004, Aadmi (آدمی) and Saans lene main dard hota ha (سانس لینے میں درد ہوتا ہے). His novel Mitti Adam Khati Hae (مٹی آدم کھاتی ہے) was published in 2007.

In addition, Shahid has authored books of literary criticism such as Adbi Tanaziaat (ادبی تنازعات), Ashfaq Ahmad: Shakheiat o funn (اشفاق احمد:شخصیت و فن), Urdu Afsana: Soorat-o-Mana (اردو افسانہ صورت و معنی) and Urdu Fiction; Naye Mubahis(اردو فکشن:نئے مباحث). Shahid also translates international literary writing into Urdu and has written plays for television and columns for print media. Several of his stories have been translated into other languages.

Books

Shahid has published more than 25 books, including Urdu novels, short stories, anthologies and many others.[6]

Short story collections

Urdu novel

Literary criticism

Other books

Anthologies

Awards and nominations

Shahid has won a total of eight awards.[7]

YearAwardResult
1995Syeda Zaheer-un-Nisa Taalimi Award
1997NCC Golden Jubilee Award
1988Markaz Award
2000Nishan-e-Ezaz by Halqa Arbab-e-Zauq
2006Bakhsh Aadbi Award
2007Azmat-e-Fan Award
20155th UBL Literary Excellence Award
20166th Literary Excellence Award[8]
2016Tamgha-e-Imtiaz[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Urdufiction. 2015-06-21. profileM Hameed Shahid. 2021-07-14. M. Hameed Shahid. ar.
  2. Encyclopedia of Pakistani writers 2008, Published by Academy of Letters Pakistan.
  3. Web site: Ali. Farman. 2019-09-30. ‘Fiction is written as an alternative history’. 2021-07-14. DAWN.COM. en.
  4. Web site: Urdufiction. 2015-06-11. محمد حمید شاہدکوائف. 2021-07-14. M. Hameed Shahid. ar.
  5. Web site: 2018-09-11. ‘Tasteer’ — a well balanced medley of short stories, poems and ghazals. 2021-08-29. Daily Times. en-US.
  6. Web site: Urdu Books of Mohammad Hameed Shahid. 2021-07-14. Rekhta.
  7. Web site: Wow Be Podcast: Meet Up with Hameed Shahid (Wow Be Podcast Urdu) on Apple Podcasts. 2021-07-14. Apple Podcasts. en-US.
  8. Web site: 6th UBL Literary Awards. 2021-07-14. www.ubldirect.com.
  9. Web site: Hameed Shahid – Karachi Literature Festival. 2021-07-18. en-US.