Summary Safi had a very versatile writing style as he easily covered a number of genres in his writings
LAHORE (Web Desk) – Renowned Pakistani novelist Asrar Ahmad, better known by his pen name Ibn-e-Safi, was born on July 25, 1928. Ibn-e-Safi is best known for penning two highly acclaimed novel series, Jasoosi Ki Dunya and Imran Series. His writings were enriched with elements of comedy, mystery, romance and adventure – all mixed together to leave the reader in a state of awe.
Ibn-e-Safi was born in Allahabad, India. He started producing works of literature at a relatively early age. From satire to fiction, from politics to literature, Ibn-e-Safi covered a wide range of categories in his writings, winning immense appraisal and acknowledgment.
He started his professional career as an editor at Nikhat Publications in India. He started writing novels in the 1950s while working as a school teacher and also continued his studies at the same time as well. He migrated to Karachi in 1952 and became the founder of the Israr Publications. His novels were also translated into other languages as well as his readership in South Asia soared.
His best-selling Imran Series came out after 1963. The lengthy novel series consists of 120 books whereas Jasoosi Dunya, his other best-seller novel series, came out in 1979 – a year before his death. Jasoosi Dunya, which was initially named as Nikhaat, comprised of 125-books.
Covers of different volumes of Jasoosi Dunya
Covers of different volumes of Imran Series
Apart from earning fame through best-selling novels, Safi is also remembered because of his works in poetry which he used to write under the pen-name of Asrar Narvi. From religious poetry involving Hamd and Naat to writing Ghazals and Marsia, Ibn-e-Safi wrote almost all sorts of poetry. Daulat-e-Gham, Yun hi wabastagi, Tanhayee, Bansuri ki awaaz are some of the many ghazals he wrote.
Dhamaka was a film that was based on one of the novels of Imran Series. The movie featured Javaid Sheikh, Shabnam and Muhammad Hussain Talpur. Safi himself was part of the movie as he served as a voice-actor.
Dhamaka movie poster (1974)
Safi died on July 26, 1980, in Karachi. He was buried in Paposhnagar graveyard. He was survived by four sons and three daughters.
