Abdullah Hussain (writer)


Abdullah Hussain, was an Urdu novelist and short story writer from Rawalpindi.

Personal life

His ancestors migrated from Bannu to Punjab. His father worked as excise inspector and went to be farmer later on. Abdullah was his only and youngest son of three other children. His mother died when Abdullah was only six months old. His father was super protective about him. He preferred Abdullah to be with him in his free times. Reflection of this bond is often seen in his writings as well.

Literary career

Abdullah Hussain shot into fame with his novel Udaas Naslainاُداس نسلیں. He was awarded the Adamjee Literary Award for this debut novel. Udaas Naslain اُداس نسلیں is considered as a milestone in Urdu literature. It is a story of a common man who entered into elite class by marriage but is not able to cope with it and eventually returns.
He also wrote Baagh باگھ in 1982, which focuses on Kashmir liberation. Baagh is a symbol of terror to everyone. His 1989 novel 'Qaid' is a story of a newborn who was murdered in Karachi. 'Raat' published in 1994 was also his novel of same genre.
Later he wrote Nadar Log نادارلوگ in 1996 which is based on 1971 war between India and Pakistan. Novel focuses on Sarfraz's story who was appointed in east Pakistan and went on to be a prisoner of war and reveals the causes behind the Dhaka fall.
He has also written collections of short stories Nashaib نشیب and 'faraib' فریب, and a novel in English about Afghan jihad.

Death

He had been suffering from blood cancer for several years. He was taken to the National Defence Hospital after his condition deteriorated. Later, he was brought back to his home where he died on 4 July 2015.

Literary works