Ibn-e-Safi
Pakistani writer, poet and novelist (1928–1980) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ibn-e-Safi (26 July 1928 – 26 July 1980) (also spelled as Ibne Safi) (Urdu: ابنِ صفی) was the pen name of Asrar Ahmad (Urdu: اسرار احمد), a fiction writer, novelist and poet of Urdu from Pakistan. The word Ibn-e-Safi is a Persian expression which literally means Son of Safi, where the word Safi means chaste or righteous. He first wrote from the British India of the 1940s, and later Pakistan after the independence of British India in 1947.[1][2]
Ibn-e-Safi | |
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| Native name | ابنِ صفی |
| Born | Asrar Ahmad 26 July 1928 Nara, district of Allahabad, U.P. (now Uttar Pradesh), British India |
| Died | 26 July 1980 (aged 52) Karachi, Pakistan |
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| Period | 1940–1980 |
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| Notable awards | Sitara-i-Imtiaz (2020) |
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| ibnesafi | |
His main works were the 124-book series Jasoosi Dunya (The Spy World) and the 121-book Imran Series, with a small canon of satirical works and poetry. His novels were characterised by a blend of mystery, adventure, suspense, violence, romance and comedy, achieving massive popularity across a broad readership in South Asia.[3][4]
Biography
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Early life and education
Asrar Ahmad was born on 26 July 1928 in the town 'Nara' of district Allahabad, India. His father's name was Safiullah and mother's name was Naziran Bibi.[2][4][1] His ancestors were Hindus of the Kayashta community, specialised in the fields of education and administration, who converted to Islam many generations ago.[5]
He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Agra University.[4] In 1948, he started his first job at 'Nikhat Publications' as an editor in the poetry department. His initial works date back to the early 1940s, when he wrote from British India. He also studied at the University of Allahabad where he was class fellow of Professor Mohammad Uzair and one year senior to Mustafa Zaidi . After the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947, he began writing novels in the early 1950s while working as a secondary school teacher and continuing part-time studies. After completing the latter, having attracted official attention as being subversive in the independence and post-independence period, he migrated to Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan in August 1952. He started his own company by the name 'Asrar Publications'.[6][3]
Later life
He married Umme Salma Khatoon in 1953.[4] In the period from 1960 to 1963, he suffered an episode of severe depression and spent some time in the psychiatry ward of a hospital, but recovered, and returned with a best-selling Imran Series novel, Dairrh Matwaalay (One and a half amused) which was published in India by the to-be -Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.[7][8] In fact, he wrote 36 novels of 'Jasoosi Duniya' and 79 novels of 'Imran Series' after his recovery from depression. In the 1970s, he informally advised the Inter-Services Intelligence of Pakistan on methods of detection.[4][9]
Death
Ibne Safi died on 26 July 1980 of pancreatic cancer at age 52. He was buried in Paposhnagar graveyard in Karachi.[4][10]
Literary career
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Early attempts
Ibn-e-Safi started writing poetry in his childhood and soon earned critical acclaim in whole South-Asian community. After completing his Bachelor of Arts, he started writing short stories, humour and satire under various names such as "Siniki (Cynic) Soldier" and "Tughral Farghan." In the Nakhat magazines, he published several satirical articles which commented on various topics ranging from politics to literature to journalism. His early works in the 1940s included short stories, humour and satire.[4]
Jasoosi Dunya and Imran Series
According to one of his autobiographical essays, someone at a literary meeting claimed that Urdu literature had little scope beyond sexual themes. To challenge this notion, Ibn-e-Safi began writing several detective stories in January 1952. These were published in the monthly digest, Nikhat, under the series name Jasoosi Dunya. In 1953, Ibn-e-Safi, along with his mother and sister, moved to Karachi, Pakistan, joining his father who had migrated there earlier in 1947.[2][4]
In 1955, Ibn-e-Safi started Imran Series, which gained as much fame and success as Jasoosi Dunya. Ibne Safi's novels – characterised by a blend of adventure, suspense, violence, romance, and comedy – achieved massive popularity by a broad readership.[3][2]
On many occasions, Ibne Safi crafted imaginative settings for his stories. The mesmerizing tapestry of his writing brings these fantastical realms to life in the minds of his readers. Devoted fans have become connoisseurs of the people and cultures inhabiting realms such as Shakraal, Karaghaal, Maqlaaq, Zeroland, and many other creative domains. Across cities in India and Pakistan, discothèques, bars, nightclubs, and hotels have been named after iconic venues from his novels, including Dilkusha, Figaro, Niagara, Tip Top, and High Circle.[2]
Other works
In addition to his humorous and satirical works, Ibne-e-Safi penned several short adventure stories, including Baldraan Ki Malika (The Queen of Baldraan), Ab Tak Thee Kahaan? (Where Had You Been?), Shumal Ka Fitna (Trouble from the North), Gultarang, and Moaziz Khopri. These adventures transport readers to a series of exotic, imaginary worlds born from his own creative vision.
In 1959, Ibne-e-Safi embarked on writing Aadmi Ki Jarain, a book exploring human psychology. Unfortunately, his illness forced him to leave the work incomplete.
Dhamaka – A film by Ibn-e-Safi
Ibne Safi wrote both the story and screenplay for the film Dhamaka, adapted from his novel Bebakon ki Talash. Despite its merits, the film did not receive the publicity and acclaim it deserved, and it remains largely forgotten.
Produced by Muhammad Hussain Talpur, Dhamaka is based on the Imran Series novel Baibaakon Ki Talaash (Urdu for "In Search of the Outrageous"). The film introduced Pakistani actor Javed Sheikh (then known as Javaid Iqbal) in the lead role of Zafarul Mulk. Producer Muhammad Hussain Talpur also appeared in the film as Jameson, while actress Shabnam portrayed Sabiha. Notably, the characters Imran and the X-2 team were not featured in the movie, although Ibne Safi himself recorded the voice of X-2. Additionally, actor Rehman made his debut as a villain. The film includes a rendition of the ghazal "Rah-e-talab mein kaun kisi ka," sung by Habib Wali Mohammed and written by Ibne Safi. Dhamaka was released on 13 December 1974.
Reception
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Influence
Renowned Bollywood screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar was deeply inspired by Ibne-e-Safi’s Urdu novels, which he avidly read during his childhood. He was particularly drawn to the Jasoosi Dunya and Imran Series detective novels. The fast-paced action, tightly woven plots, and vibrant use of language in these thrillers left a strong impression on him.
Akhtar fondly recalled Ibne-e-Safi’s unforgettable characters with their distinctive, often whimsical names—an element that significantly influenced his own writing. Many of his Bollywood scripts reflect Ibne-e-Safi’s narrative style, including the use of vivid character names, sharp dialogue, and larger-than-life personalities.[11] Akhtar credited Ibne-e-Safi with teaching him the power of memorable characters, a lesson that helped inspire iconic Bollywood villains like Gabbar Singh in Sholay (1975) and Mogambo in Mr. India (1987 film).[12].
Translations
The first English translations of Ibne Safi's mystery novels began appearing in 2010, with The House of Fear from the Imraan Series, translated by Bilal Tanweer and published by Random House India.[13] In 2011, Blaft Publications in association with Tranquebar released four more novels, this time from the Jasoosi Duniya series, translated by the highly acclaimed Urdu critic Shamsur Rahman Faruqi.[3][1][10]
Bibliography
List of his non-series work
- Aadmi ki Jarain (Urdu for The Roots of The Man) – Incomplete
- Baldaraan ki Malikaa (Urdu for The Queen of Baldaraan)
- Ab Tak Thee Kahaan (Urdu for Where Had You Been?)
- Diplomat Murgh (Urdu for The Diplomat Rooster)
- Saarhe Paanch Baje (Urdu for Half Past Five)
- Tuzk-e-Do-Piazi (Urdu for The autobiography of Do-Piaza) – Incomplete
- Shumaal ka Fitna (Urdu for The Trouble From North)
- Mata-e Qalb-O-Nazar – Collection of Poetry (to be published)
Novels
- Allama Dehshatnak [3][10]
- Alphonse
- Khatarnak Lashein (The Dangerous Corpse)[3]
- Saanpon Ke Shikari
- Khaufnak Imarat (The House of Fear) (1955)[2][6][14]
- Purasrar Cheekhein (1955)[14]
- Larkiyon Ka Jazirah (The Island of Maidens)
- Raat Ka Shehzada (The Nocturnal Prince)
- Dhuain ki Tehreer (Scribblings in Smoke)
- Pathar Ka Khoon (Blood in Stones)
- Neelay Parindey (The Birds in Blue)
- Jaron Ki Talash (The Search for the Roots)
- Chattanon Mein Fire (Shootout at the Rocks) (1955)[14]
Poetry
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(Note: Most of the English translations of Urdu poetry and titles are literal and do not capture the true essence of the language. Some meaning is definitely lost in translation.)
Ibn-e-Safi was also a poet. He used to write poems under the pen name of "Asrar Narvi". He wrote in various genres of Urdu poetry, such as Hamd, Na`at, Manqabat, Marsia, Ghazal, and Nazm. His collection of poetry, Mata-e Qalb-o-Nazar (Urdu or in English (The Assets of Heart & Sight), remains unpublished.
Following is the list of his Ghazals:
- Daulat-e-Gham (Urdu (The wealth of sorrow)
- Zahan se Dil ka Bar Utra Hai (Urdu (Heaviness of the heart is unloaded by the mind)
- Chhalakti aayay (Urdu (The liquor shows up overflowing)
- Kuch to ta-alluq ... (Urdu (Some affiliation ...)
- Aaj ki raat (Urdu (Tonight)
- Baday ghazab ka ... (Urdu (Of Much Might ...)
- Yun hi wabastagi (Urdu (Casual connection)
- Lab-o-rukhsar-o-jabeen (Urdu (Lips and Cheeks and forehead)
- Rah-e-talab mein kaun kisi ka (Urdu (In the path of demands, no one recognises anyone)
- Kuch bhi to apne paas nahin ... (Urdu (Do not have anything ...)
- Aay nigaraan-e-khoobroo (Urdu (Gorgeous Sculptures)
- Kabhi sawab ki hain ... (Urdu (Sometimes, of virtuousness ...)
- Kabhi qatil ... (Urdu for Sometimes killer ...)
- Qafas ki daastaan hai ... (Urdu (It is the tale of imprisonment ...)
- Maan (Urdu (Mother)
- Shakist-e-talism (Urdu (Defeat of the Magic)
- Talism-e-hosh-ruba (Urdu (The Breath-taking Magic)[1]
- Tanhayee (Urdu (Solitude)
- Bansuri Ki Aawaz (Urdu (The Sound of Flute)[10]
Awards and recognition
- Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) Award by the President of Pakistan in 2020[15]
See also
References
External links
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