Background
Hayatullah Ansari was born at Firangi Mahal, Lucknow. His father was Waheedullah Ansari.
politician member of the Rajya Sabha
Hayatullah Ansari was born at Firangi Mahal, Lucknow. His father was Waheedullah Ansari.
He was initially educated through the Madarassa itself and earned the degree of "uloom-eshiqiya" from this institution. After schooling he joined the Aligarh Muslim University where he got his bachelor"s degree. In Aligarh he came in contact with the leftist progressive writers.
After his return to Lucknow he came into contact with Gandhian philosophy and also served a term at the "Sevagram" Gandhi"s Ashram.
Subsequenlty he became the editor of Congress Party"s official newspaper Qaumi Awaz which he served with dedication for several years and took it to great heights. Qaumi Awaaz became one of the most important Urdu dailies to be published from northern India.
He was accepted as a reputable short story writer of Urdu. His first short story was published in the June 1930 issue of the Jamia.
Nine years later his first collection of short stories called Anokhi Musibat was published in 1939.
After a gap of 7 years, two collections of short stories followed in quick succession. Bhare Bazar Mein in 1946 and Shikasta Kagure in 1947. Some stories excel in the psychoanalytical technique.
Besides this he wrote a novel titled Madaar.
He also pursued the cause of Urdu at various forums and did substantial work for the development of the language. In 2013 museum named after him was inaugurated by former chief minister Narayan Datt Tiwari at the premises of Madrasa Hayatul Uloom, Farangi Mahal.
He was influenced by them and this is reflected in his short stories which reflect his socialist bent of mind.
He was a member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council (1952-1966) and was nominated as member of the Rajya Sabha in 1966 and served till 1972.