Jaun Elia

Syed Hussain Sibt-e-Asghar Naqvi (14 December 1931 – 8 November 2002), commonly known by his pen name Jaun Elia, was a Pakistani poet.

One of the most prominent modern Urdu poets of (amatory poems), popular for his unconventional ways, he "acquired knowledge of philosophy, logic, Islamic history, the Muslim Sufi tradition, Muslim religious sciences, Western literature, and Kabbala". Elia was the younger brother of poet Rais Amrohvi.

Early life and family Jaun Elia was born Syed Hussain Sibt-e-Asghar Naqvi on 14 December 1931 in Amroha, UP, British India into an educated Shia family. He was the youngest child of Allama Shafiq Hassan Elia. His father was a scholar of literature and astronomy well-versed in the Arabic, English and Persian languages, who corresponded with leading intellectuals like Bertrand Russell. Jaun Elia was the youngest among his siblings; his brother Rais Amrohvi was a poet and psychoanalyst while another brother, Syed Mohammed Taqi, was a philosopher and a translator who had translated Karl Marx's Das Kapital. Indian film director Kamal Amrohi was his first cousin. Another relative in Pakistan is the actor Munawar Saeed, famous for his roles as a villain.

Described as a child prodigy, Jaun was initially educated at the Syed-ul-Madaris in Amroha, a madrasa affiliated with the Darul Uloom Deoband.

Marriage and children He married writer Zahida Hina in the year 1970. He met her during the publication of the Urdu language magazine Insha and ended up falling in love with her. They got separated in 1984 and later divorced due to differences in their temperaments.

Writing career He began writing poetry when he was 8 but published his first collection, Shayad, when he was 60.

Political views Partition and migration to Pakistan Being a communist, Elia opposed the partition of India. However, he eventually migrated to Pakistan in 1956, and decided to live in Karachi. References to class consciousness are also noticeable in his poems. He has also been described as "An anarchist, a nihilist, and a poet".

As per author Inam Abidi Amrohvi: To understand Jaun Elia, one must delve into his poetry and philosophy, which say you must break yourself to build yourself. Poet Pirzada Qasim said:

According to BBC News website:

Jaun Elia's friend Qamar Razi once said of him, "He was quick to criticize, but he was a true friend, a lost traveler in his thoughts".

In 2020, Pakistani rock-fusion band Nishtar Park released a single Purane Aur Naye Sawal which was based on Elia's ghazal Umr Guzaregi Imtihan Mein Kya.

In 2023, Urdu rapper Talha Anjum’s album Open Letter featured a song entitled Secrets which was strongly influenced by Jaun Elia’s poem Be-dilli Kya Yuhin Din Guzar Jaenge. Talha Anjum’s other works are also heavily influenced by Jaun Elia’s poetry.

Commemorative postage stamp On his death anniversary on 8 November 2013, Pakistan Post Office issued a commemorative postage stamp in its 'Men of Letters' series to honor Elia for his literary services.

Awards and recognition Pride of Performance award by the President of Pakistan for his literary services in 2000.

Works Poetry collections Sukhan Meri Udasee Hai Zakham-e-Umeed Mubada Tumharey Aur Mere Darmiyan Daricha Haye Kheyal Qitaat Jaun Elia Ki Tamam Ghazlain (parts I-III) Inshaye aur Mazaameen Farnood