Shatir Ghaznavi

Shatir Ghaznavi, born Amin-ul-haq Khan is a Lyricist, Story/Screenplay Dialogue Writer and Playwright. Shatir Ghaznavi was born in 1905 in Peshawar, North-West Frontier Province, British India. After completing his Education, Shatir started his literary career by launching a monthly literary magazine from Peshawar called Saghir and Shatir started writing radio plays for All India Radio Station Peshawar. Shatir’s celebrated play which was broadcasted from radio Peshawar in 1934 was Zartaj. Shatir was one of the pioneers of the New Urdu Drama. Around 1934, Shatir moved to Lahore and became Editor of the film magazine Tasveer. Shatir wrote stories and dialogues for movies like Baghi Sipahi (1936), Milap, and Mandir (1937), and Ishara.

Shatir also wrote Lyrics for songs like Ravi Kay Oos Par Sajanva, Gori Gori O Gwalan Ki Chori, Chal Prem Kay Pankh lagaain, and Jab Toot Gaya Darpan Mun Ka. Shatir wrote dialogues and songs for the films Bhai, and Kaneez(1949), before the Partition of India. Shatir was assigned by Gupta Art Productions to write dialogues and lyrics for the film Aik Roaz in 1946. Shatir wrote dialogues and songs for the movie KhanaBadosh(1948). After the Partition of India, Shatir wrote the Screenplay for Pakland Picture’s venture, Hum Watan. Shatir also wrote stories and dialogues for movies like Sassi, Nauker(1955), Choti Begum (1956), Daata (1957), Bhabi(1960), Mehtab (1962), Shukria(1964), Aaina(1966), and Insaniyat. Shatir Ghaznavi was awarded the President's Award for Best Dialogue Writer in 1962.

Shatir became a recluse in the later part of his life as one of his sons, who was an officer in the army was reported missing in the East Pakistan War of 1971. Shatir died in Lahore on 22nd October 1971 before hearing the good news that his son was declared a P.O.W. After death, Shatir was buried in the historic Miani Cemetery.