Intizar Hussain

Intizar Hussain or Intezar Hussain (; 21 December 1925 – 2 February 2016) was a Pakistani writer of Urdu novels, short stories, poetry and nonfiction. He is widely recognised as a leading literary figure of Pakistan.

Early life Intizar Hussain was born on 21 December 1925 in Bulandshahr district, Uttar Pradesh (at the time, the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh), British India. Intizar Husain was often described as possibly the greatest living Urdu writer.

He lived in the old Anarkali Bazaar of Lahore, where he associated and socialized with the likes of Nasir Kazmi, and Muhammad Hasan Askari and together they frequented Lahore's teahouses – Pak Tea House, Nagina Bakery, Coffee House, Lords and Arab Hotel.

His other writings include Hindustan Se Aakhri Khat, Aagay Sumandar Hai,

His novel Basti is based on Pakistani history.

His wife, Aliya Begum, had died in 2004 and they had no children.

Influences Hussain believed that two forces had risen in contemporary Pakistan: women and the mullahs. He also acknowledged his study and the influence of Buddhist texts and the Mahabharata.

Legacy In 2016, Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) announced the ‘Intizar Hussain Award’ which would be given to a literary figure every year.

Awards and international recognition Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 1986. Kamal-e-Fun (Lifetime Achievement) Award by the Pakistan Academy of Letters in 1998. In 2007, Hussain received the Pakistani civil award Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) by the President of Pakistan. In 2013, he was shortlisted for the Man Booker International Prize after Frances W. Pritchett translated his Urdu novel Basti into English. He received a lifetime achievement award at the Lahore Literary Festival. Newsweek Pakistan called him "Pakistan's most accomplished living author" in 2014. Hussain was made an Officer of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government in 2014

He was also the first ever winner of the prestigious Premchand Fellowship awarded by Sahitya Akademi of India in 2007. The Death of Sheherzad Basti (1979) (Town) Circle and Other Stories (2004) Surakh Tamgha (2007) Qissa Kahanian (2011) Justujoo Kya Hai (autobiography) (2012)