KARACHI: Acclaimed Urdu satirist and humour writer Mushtaq Ahmad Yousufi passed away in Karachi on Wednesday. He was 94.
Yousufi was considered one of the most celebrated satirist and humorist of his time. His famous works include Chiragh Talay, Khakam-ba-dahan, Zarguzasht, Aab-E-gum and Sham-e-Shahr-e-Yaaraan.
Born in a learned family of Jaipur, Rajasthan on 4 September 1923, Yusufi completed his early education in Rajputana and earned B.A. from Agra University while M.A. Philosophy and LL.B from Aligarh Muslim University.
After partition of India and formation of Pakistan, his family migrated to Karachi, Pakistan.
Yousufi was awarded Sitara-i-Imtiaz in 1999 and Hilal-i-Imtiaz in 2002, the highest literary honour given by the government to civilians.
Last year in February, Yousufi gave what can be termed his final television interview to ARY News’ anchor Maria Memon. In the short rendezvous, Yousufi, while answering a question, said that one can’t ridicule the weak or the powerless as it does not fall under humour or satire. “One who is weak and powerless against you shouldn’t be ridiculed,” said Yousufi.
Here is the video
‘Urdu’s greatest satirist’
Ibn-e-Insha, himself a towering figure in Urdu satirist and humorist once said: “…if ever we could give a name to the literary humour of our time, then the only name that comes to mind is that of Yusufi!”
Fans, followers, writers and notable literary and political figures expressed grief over the death of the legendary satirist and termed his death a great loss for the Urdu literature.
لفظ لفظ سے مسکراہٹیں تقسیم کرنے والا سب کو رلا کر چلا گیا
عزیزو مشتاق یوسفی اب اس جہان میں نہیں رہے#MushtaqYousufi— Ammar Masood (@ammarmasood3) June 20, 2018
In the last few decades #Urdu prose has not seen a wordsmith like him.
Mushtaq Ahmed Yousufi’s death is not just a loss for Pakistan but for one of the most popular languages across the globe.#RIP #MushtaqAhmedYousufi pic.twitter.com/eBYcmkR2Tm— Osama Bin Javaid (@osamabinjavaid) June 20, 2018
Most impeccable Urdu humorist and satirist Mushtaq Ahmed Yousafi has passed away. This has to be the biggest dent to modern Urdu cannon and quality humour at large. RIP#MushtaqAhmedYousufi #MushtaqAhmadYusufi
— Rafay Mahmood (@Rafay_Mahmood) June 20, 2018
We met him few months back at his house even at the age of 94 his memory was quite good , he was little depressed , weak & food intake was minimal ,but his presence was huge #legend #greatwriter #MushtaqAhmedYousufi we will miss u forever pic.twitter.com/XynWJvUQ7K
— Shahab Zuberi (@zuberishahab) June 20, 2018
تو جو یوں چھوڑ کر گیا سائیں
آج اک عہد مر گیا سائیںسفیر صدیقی#RIP_mushtaqueahmadyusufui#MushtaqYusufi #MushtaqYousufi #MushtaqAhmedYousufi pic.twitter.com/TI1N0RTFms
— Safeer Siddiqui (@SafeerSiddiqu15) June 20, 2018
#Breaking …..Pakistan’s biggest writer Mushtaq Ahmed Yousafi dies. Hum mizaah kay ehde Yousafi mein jee rahay thay #RIP
— Mubashir Zaidi (@Xadeejournalist) June 20, 2018
RIP #MushtaqAhmedYousufi . This pic from KarachiLitFest 2017, where he was in fine form and made us all laugh.. pic.twitter.com/FQuCXsqSkh
— Umber Khairi (@umberkhairi) June 20, 2018
