38th death anniversary of Ibn-e-Insha observed

The 38th death anniversary of eminent Urdu poet humorist and travelogue writer Sher Muhammad Khan, also known as, Ibn-e-Insha was observed on Monday throughout the country. Ibn-e-Insha was born in Jalandhar district of Indian Punjab in 1927. He later migrated to Pakistan. He got fame from his humorous poetry and columns. He died because of blood cancer on January, 1978 in London and buried in Karachi Paposh Nagar cemetery.

Ibn-e-Insha’s poetry has a distinctive diction, laced with language reminiscent of Amir Khusro in its use of words and construction that is usually heard in the more earthy dialects of the Hindi-Urdu complex of languages and his forms and poetic style is an influence on generations of young poets. His poetry was simple but had depth. Ibn-e-Insha did his BA from the Punjab University in 1946 and MA from the University of Karachi in 1953. He was associated with various public departments, including Radio Pakistan, Ministry of Culture and the National Book Centre.

He also served the UN for some time, which enabled him to visit a lot of places and consequently produce subsequent travelogues. His book is Basti Key Ik Koochey Main (poetry) was published in August 1976 and until 2003, 22 more editions had been published. Ibn-e-Insha’s famous poetic works are “Chand Nagar” and “Dil-e-Wehshi”, while travelogues are Awara Gard Ki Diary, Dunya Gol Hey, Ibn-e-Batoota Kay Taqub Main, Chaltay Ho To Chamanko Chaliye and Nagri Nagri Phira Musafar. His humorous books are Khumar-e-Gandum and Urdu Ki Aakhri Kitaab. The first edition of Urdu Ki Aakhri Kitaab was published in July 1971 and until 2003, 33 more editions had been published. His collection of letters is Khat Insha Jee Kay.

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