The last of the icons from Lahore, melody maker Khayyam dies in India on August 22, 2019Indian media agencies reported that legendary music composer Khayyam’s last rites were performed with state honours. Prominent poets Javed Akhtar, Gulzar and singer Sonu Nigam, singer Talat Aziz and others attended the funeral on Tuesday August 20, 2019 at a Muslim Four Bungalow Cemetery in Mumbai. Khayyam’s mortal remains were kept at his home in […]
Remembering Madhubala: the Venus Queen of Indian cinema — Part II on August 15, 2019A storm breaks out and Shyam lets Leela spend the night at his place after which they fall in love. A little later, Leela gets acquainted with a Rani (queen) (Durga Khote). After Leela leaves Shyam’s place, she takes refuge with the Rani at her house. The widowed Rani’s only son, the musically talented Kumar […]
Remembering Madhubala: the Venus Queen of Indian cinema — Part I on August 14, 2019Famous heroine of the silver screen Madhubala died on February 23, 1969 in Mumbai in the state of Maharashtra, India at the age of 36. I was a student of Masters in the University of Birmingham in England. I read a very small news item ‘Madhubala mar gai’ (Madhubala died) in some Pakistan newspaper. I […]
Remembering tragedy queen Meena Kumari on August 8, 2019It was in 1970 that Khayyam composed music for actress and singer Meena Kumari’s poetry sung in her own voice. On her ghazal ‘Yun Teri Rehguzar Sei Diwana Waar Guzre’, one fan Mini Singh observed “I never felt and heard my heart beating before listening this ghazal, as it’s not blood but feelings are oozing […]
Rubaru — a compilation of interviews of famous literary personalities on July 31, 2019The book Rubaru comprises of a compilation of interviews of famous literary personalities by Amir Bin Ali, Hassan Abbasi and Lubna Safdar. It is dedicated to Ashfaq Ahmad, Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi, Mushtaq Ahmad Yousufi, Munir Niazi, Munnu Bhai, Mashkoor Hussain Yaad, Shahzad Ahmad, Shuhrat Bukhari and Aslam Kolsri whose interviews are included in this book […]
Takhleeq’s new issue focuses on music, pays tribute to literary figures who left us on July 27, 2019Editorial remembers many who died during 2012-2019 period from Dr Anwar Sadeed, Bano Qudsia to Iftikhar Majaz. A corner for Iftikhar Majaz has been reserved in this issue of Takhleeq. Editorial also advises its subscribers not to write long poems or ghazals and restrict their thoughts to quality of thought and less number of couplets. […]
Nadeem Baig — the iconic film actor on July 21, 2019Actor Nadeem Baig is married to Farzana and has two sons Faisal Baig and Farhan Baig. He was born on July 19, 1941, that makes him 78 now, Masha Allah. According to Site IMDb “Nadeem’s film career spans more than 40 years. He started his career in 1967 and appeared in his first film Chakori […]
Aahang — June 2019 touches upon current affairs as well as literature on July 20, 2019The title of Radio Pakistan’s magazine Aahang – June 2019 issue takes this reviewer back to the most exciting World Cup Final Match between New Zealand and England that was played in London. The decision was based on the maximum boundaries in favour of England as both teams scored equal runs in the super over […]
Remembering the iconic music composer Master Altaf Hussain on July 16, 2019Master Altaf Hussain is one of those melody makers who created melodious music compositions but was less acknowledged. Perhaps because he did not believe in Public Rationing or perhaps being educated, he did not know the tricks and traits of acquiring business in the jungle of music in the melodic era surrounded by all the […]
The dying glory of Old Anarkali on July 4, 2019When I was a child, my father used to take me by foot to Anarkali Bazaar from Shah Alami Gate where we used to live. Once he promised to buy me a most expensive shoe if I stood first in my class. He bought me a shoe costing 32 rupees and 8 annas; the most […]