The late Zamurad Malik was a scholar, critic, poet and teacher of great distinction. He is the first and the only critic who wrote articles on Punjabi contemporary literature.
He was very popular English teacher in Murray College and Islamia College of Sialkot before he came to Lahore in early 70s and brought a new vision into the criticism of Punjabi and Urdu writings.
Fakhar Zaman, a close friend of Professor Zamurad has edited and published his unpublished work in the shape of the book titled ‘Zamurad Malik – Shakhsiyat aur Takhleeqat’.
The book is dedicated to his daughter Qurat ul Ain Malik, who has put in great labour in searching out his works from different magazines.
The book contains his Punjabi poems, a couple of Urdu short stories and essays. Various distinguished writers such as Khalid Hassan, Amin Mughal, Mustansar Hussain Tarar, Shahid Malik, Akhtar Mirza, Zamurad Malik’s wife Zareena Zamurad, Professor Ashfaq Sarwar and Fakhar Zaman have written articles on the personality, writings and talent of the great scholar Zamurad Malik.
Fakhar Zaman in his write up about Zamurad Malik says that he was an institution in himself, he was a multi-dimensional personality who was well versed in subjects like philosophy, palmistry, astrology, painting and even tarotology.
Zaman says in his article that he was an authority on English literature and in his personal views he was liberal, democrat, progressive and secular person. “Zamurad has left indelible marks on criticism of Punjabi literature because of his fresh vision and avant-garde approach. He died in an early age but he will always be remembered for his integrity, commitment and caliber.”
Published in Daily Times, November 8th 2017.
