Imtiaz Ali Taj

Imtiaz Ali Taj Biography

Imtiaz Ali Taj was a distinguished Urdu playwright of modern age. He is best remembered for 1922 play Anarkali, an adaption of folklore. Actually the play was based on the English film - Loves of a Mughal Prince, in which Imtiaz and his friend S. A. Bokhari 'Patras' acted. One of the best and popular love stories of Indian literature Anarkali has been adapted on silver screen and stage plays several times in India and Pakistan. Though it is a pure fiction work, many still believe that Anarkali did exist! The story has been given two climaxes, and still a matter of debate! The great Indian film Mughal-e-Azam (1960) was an adaption of this play. The writer was assassinated on April 19, 1970 aged 70.

Syed Imtiaz Ali was born in Lahore on 13 October 1900. His father’s name is Moulvi Mumtaz Ali, a contemporary of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. His father had a difference of opinion with Sir Syed in the matter of the campaign for education for Muslims in India, with the end of glorious Mughal rule. His ancestors originally belong to Delhi, who moved to Lahore following the revolt of 1857. He accepted the penname ‘Taj’ during his early days of writing. During his college days he translated many English plays to Urdu and also directed them. Later he started a publishing house and also ventured into film making.

While at college best friend was S A Bokhari 'Patras', with whom he was associated with, for his literary outputs in the form of plays. Later, Taj became a major producer, writer and director. He wrote the script of Khaandan, which marked the acting debut of Noor Jahan. Suhag Ka Daan, Dhamki, Gulnar and Anarkali are other noted scripts. He authored more than 100 short stories. Sitara – is also his celebrated play. He was married to first woman pilot of India - Hijab Imtiaz Ali who was a prolific writer too. The couple was attacked while asleep on 19 April 1970. Though Hijab survived, Taj was killed by assassins.

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Updated: March 27, 2016