Urdu poets (Hafeez Taib)

Pride of Performance winner and famous poet Hafeez Taib was born on 14th Feb, 1931 in Pishawer, and died on 12th June 2004 in Lahore. He was 70.

The late Hafeez Taib will be remembered as a trendsetter in Naat writing. “He was the first poet who brought up current issues in his Naat. Earlier, poets used to follow the old and traditional style,” said Asmatullah Zahid, his colleague and head of the Punjabi Department at Oriental College Lahore.

Mr Taib started his career as a Punjabi literature lecturer at Oriental College. After retirement, he was included as a visiting lecturer and remained associated with the college until his death.

Although he gained fame from Naat, he also wrote ghazals and poems. Qutbi Tara, Salluallhe-Waallehi and Waslim-u-Tasleema are his famous Naats.

Azaz Ahmed Azar said the late Taib did not publish a book of ghazals because he did not want people to remember him as a romantic poet.

Mr Azar said the late poet’s vision was very broad, which made him unique in poetry. He said the poet had the unique talent of highlighting new subjects in Naat which young poets new inspiration.

Mr Taib received many awards and prizes in his career including radio and television awards, but the biggest was the Pride of Performance bestowed upon him by General Ziaul Haq Shaheed in 1987.

Paying tribute to the late poet, Amjad Islam Amjad said he was not only a great poet but also a gentleman. He said the poet usually avoided commenting on controversial issues but if he felt it necessary, was always considerate.