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.
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