Man of letters: Distinguished writer Mushir Anwar laid to rest

He penned exquisite columns on culture, literature, art and social issues for over three decades

ISLAMABAD: Mushir Anwar, distinguished man of letters, passed away here Wednesday morning. He was 77 years old. Anwar has left behind a son, Khayyam Mushir, two grandsons, and a large number of friends and admirers to mourn his death.

He has been suffering from prostate cancer for the last two years. His condition deteriorated during the last two months after the death of his wife.

Anwar was laid to rest at the H-11 Graveyard, Islamabad. A large number of family members, friends, and people from all walks of life attended the funeral procession.

Born in Moradabad, India, in 1937, Anwar migrated to Rawalpindi with his family after partition. He went to school and college in the city. After finishing a master’s degree in English Literature from Gordon College in 1966, he joined Pakistan Times as a desk editor. Later, Anwar joined Finance Ministry and retired as chief publications officer. He edited prestigious Economic Survey, and other publications of the ministry.

Anwar penned exquisite columns on culture, literature, art and social issues for over three decades for Dawn, The Express Tribune and The Nation.

His writings captured the social and literary landscape of Rawalpindi. Anwar also provided creative editorial support to “Pakistani English Literature”, a quarterly journal published by Pakistan Academy of Letters, and to the research journal of IPRI, a think-tank, and other publications.

Earlier this year, his translation into Urdu of Isaac Bashevis Singer’s novel, “A Young Man in Search of Love”, was published and well-received in academic and literary circles.

Intellectual and writer, Ashfaq Saleem Mirza, while speaking to The Express Tribune said that Anwar was the best editor of English language in town. Above all, he was a kind, hospitable and caring human being.

“His silence, when everyone else made noise was captivating,” Mirza added.

Poet Kishwar Naheed said Anwar’s death was an irreparable loss to the cultural and literary life of Islamabad.

“Anwar couldn’t live even few months after the death of his beloved wife, Mahjabeen [alias Malka]. The two were inseparable,” she said.

Poet and author, Harris Khalique, who enjoyed a close personal relationship with Mushir Sahib for a long time, said, “What a privilege to have known one of the finest human beings of our times. He was self-effacing. It took some effort to make him speak. But, once he did rivers of knowledge and wisdom would flow out.”

“It was not just his passion for different forms of art but a deep sense of history and culture that made him truly unique,” he added.

Anwar’s Qul will be held at House 465, Street 10, F-10/2 on Saturday, (Jan 2) at 3pm.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 31^st, 2015.