Literary Career
Qasmi had a long career as a writer and editor. He edited several prominent literary journals, including Phool, Tehzeeb-i-Niswaan, Adab-i-Lateef, Savera, Naqoosh, and his own journal, Funoon. He also worked as the editor of the prestigious Urdu daily Imroze. Qasimi contributed weekly columns to national newspapers like Rawan Dawan and Daily Jang for several decades. His poetry has included both traditional ghazals and modern nazams.
In 1948, he was selected as the secretary general of the Anjuman-e-Taraqqi Pasand Musannifeen (Progressive Writers Movement) for Punjab. In 1949, he was elected the secretary-general of the organisation for Pakistan.
In 1962, Qasmi published his own literary magazine Fanoon, with the support of writers and poets including Khadija Mastoor, Hajra Masroor, Ahmed Faraz, Amjad Islam Amjad, Ata ul Haq Qasmi, Munnoo Bhai and Nazeer Naji. Qasami was the mentor of poet Parveen Shakir.
In 1974, he was appointed secretary-general of Majlis-Taraqee-Adab, a literary body which had been established by the government of West Pakistan in 1958.
His literary work has been appreciated and admired by Urdu writers, poets and critics, although there is also criticism of his literary work and of his personality.
An example of Qasmi's writing style is:
Dawar-e hashr! mujhe teri qasamUmr bhar mein ne ibadat ki hay
Tu mera namaa-e-amal tau dekh
A translation is:
O Lord of the Day of JudgmentI swear by you
I have worshipped all my life
Look at my balance sheet
I have loved mankind
Read more about this topic: Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi
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