Zahid Hassan

Zahid Hassan (actual name Zahid Hussain) hails from the village of Jhok Piran Di, District Faislabad in Pakistan. Since 1985 he has planted his roots in Lahore, the cultural capital of Punjab. He has worked with various newspapers, periodicals and publishing houses in Lahore including Gor Publishers and Punjabi Adabi Board. In addition, he has worked with the Democratic Commission for Human Development by undertaking integrated initiatives in human rights education, research and advocacy. He has served as editor of Punjabi and Urdu magazines like, “Punjabi Adab’, ‘Adab-e lateef’, and ‘Kahani Ghar’.

He has published twelve books of fiction, poetry, research and literary criticism in Punjabi which include four novels, ‘Ishaq lataare Aadmi’, ‘Ghalichaa Unnan Wali’, ‘Qissa Aashiqaan’, Tassi Dharti’, and a short story collection, ‘Panjah Varhian di Udaasi’. He is a recipient of numerous literary awards which include the prestigious Pakistan Academy of Letters ‘Waris Shah Award’ and ‘Masood Khaddarposh Award’, among others.

Zahid Hassan’s writings are inspired by the rich culture, rites and customs, superstitions, and tales of Punjab. He feels that a lot of work needs to be done for Punjabi literature in order to get its worth acknowledged internationally and he himself has contributed significantly in this respect