Latifuddin Ahmad, known as Lam Ahmad Akbarabadi (Agra) in the literary world, was one of the distinguished writers of Urdu. Born at Agra in 1885, he was influenced by many eminent poets and litterateurs like Mir Taqi Mir, Nazir Akbarabadi, Mirza Ghalib, Simab Akbarabadi, Maikash Akbarabadi and others. Lam Ahmad is shining start among the galaxy of Agra men of letters. He was brought up and educated in a religious atmosphere of Agra. Before he could complete his education, his father left him for heavenly abode in 1898 so he could not complete his formal education and got engaged in business alongwith his younger brother Shahabuddin Ahmad.
Entering Politics
Lam Ahmad Akbarabadi entered national politics joining Home Rule Party, founded by Annie Besant. He soon became the general secretary of its local unit. He formally got associated with the All India Congress Party and was elected councilor of the Agra Municipal Board. While active politics, he got the opportunity to interact with national leaders like Annie Besant, Desh Bandhu, Motilal Nehru and Sarojni Naidu.
Lam Ahmad Translates Lalla Rookh
Lam Ahmad Akbarabadi was a prolific writer of Urdu. He began his literary career with the translation of Thomas Moore’s Lalla Rookh. It was first serialized in prestigious monthly journal “Nigar”, started by Niaz Fatehpuri, Lam Ahmad himself, Zia Abbas Hashmi, Malik Habib Ahmad and Shah Dilgeer alongwith others in 1922. Moore 1772-1822) was a major poet of the Romantic Age and Lalla Rookh (1816) is supposed to be his masterpiece. When Lalla Rookh was published in Europe, it was a sensation among readers and critics.
Lam Ahmad a part of Romantic Movement in Urdu
Lam Ahmad Akbarabadi was a pioneer of Romantic Movement in Urdu. Romanticism is thought to be a deviation from the old and classical style of writing to a more relaxed, lighter and more personal style of creative composition. Under this influence the old narrow intellectual attitude gave place to a wider outlook and emotion and a sense of mystery in life, and in which the critical was replaced by the creative spirit and wit by humor and pathos. The Romantic Movement which originated in the West in the last quarter of the 18th Century, cast its shadow on Urdu literature towards the end of 19th century and both poets and prose writers came under its direct influence.
Lam Ahmad took to fiction writing despite having poetic inclination. His flowery, chaste and beautiful prose charmed readers like poetry. Most of his works are translations from English and other foreign languages but rather than translations, they are adaptations and trans-creation. His published works include:
- Lalla Rookh (1935),
- Naghmat,
- Insha-e-Latif (1935),
- Naqd-e-Adab (Translation of Abercrombie’s ‘Principles of Literary Criticism 1963;
- Zindagi ke Khel,
- Mohabhat ka Afsana,
- Subhh-o-Sham, Mulahizat-e-Nafsi (1959),
- Rusi Fikr and Mufakkir,
- Rang-o-Bu and
- Adabi Tasawwarat (1964).
References:
- Dictionary of Urdu Literature, Abida Samiuddin
- Hasan, Mohammad, Urdu men Rumani Tahrik, Aligarh, 1955
- Sadiq, M. History of Urdu Literature, Oxford, 1994
- Tahreer, Quarterly, Delhi, Vol. VIII, Issue 2, April, June 1974
- Wadood Abdul, Urdu Nasr men Adab-e-Latif, Lucknow, 1967
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