‘Control Room’ — a sensitive portrayal of disturbed minds on November 15, 2018The first thing I noticed while reading Afsanas (short stories) of Irfan Urfi from his book Control Room is his capturing of situational beauty that has profound impact on the characters of his stories. The first story Aik Raat Yun Bhi Hua (it happened one night) is a story of a woman who is growing old in a house where she performs daily duties continuously without realising that her hair is … [Read more...] about ‘Control Room’ — a sensitive portrayal of disturbed minds
An ode to motherhood on October 18, 2018Since our childhood we have heard the phrase ‘Maanwaan Thandian Chaawaan’ (mothers provide shelter in tough times). Poets have come out with many poetry pieces in praise of the institution of motherhood. Recently poet Zahid Fakhri’s Punjabi poem became popular due to its simple expression in emitting love for mothers. He says ‘Jinnah Gharaan Wich Man Nahi Hundi/Ohna Dei Vehre Chaan Nahi Hundi’ … [Read more...] about An ode to motherhood
Tufail Farooqi —a popular melody maker of the past on April 14, 2018All I remember of Tufail farooqi is having seen him once on Radio Pakistan premises, long time ago. I contacted his brother Akram Farooqi who referred me to his son Imran Farooqi for information on his father’s works and personality. Surfing on the net brought me to some information on Tufail Farooqi’s Punjabi film ‘Choorian’ directed by Amin Malik, produced by M. Naseem and dialogues by none … [Read more...] about Tufail Farooqi —a popular melody maker of the past
Of versatility and passion in music on February 10, 2018It all happened before my own eyes as I used to sing for PTV in those days. Ghulam Abbas sang this national song in such a manner that it became an instant hit and would be telecast many times a day. The video depicting Pakistani urban and rural culture coupled with images of our armed forces and preparation raised the morale of the masses. As far as the melody is concerned, it had variations in … [Read more...] about Of versatility and passion in music
‘Maraahil’ — A critical appraisal on November 28, 2017Dedicated to Malik Maqbool Ahmad whom Amin Rahat Chughtai has never seen in person, the book Maraahil comprises essays on criticism, research and learning. Amin Rahat Chughtai is now 87 years old and is still busy writing research based essays like in the book under review which has 24 essays written by the author. These essays have been penned in different spans of time, collected altogether in … [Read more...] about ‘Maraahil’ — A critical appraisal
Naheed Akhtar — ‘Nightingale of Pakistan’ on November 27, 2017I remember that two simple looking girls with short shirts and Patiala shalwars with straight hair used to sing folk songs, especially ‘Menu Soda Waater Lei Dei Vei Roj Balma Kehndi’ in Uxi Mufti’s show Lok Tamasha from PTV’s Rawalpindi center. It was the early 1970s and TV transmissions back then were in black and white. The two girls clicked as a duo. The pair was of sisters Hameeda Akhtar and … [Read more...] about Naheed Akhtar — ‘Nightingale of Pakistan’
An insight into the folds of ‘Kaghazi Paerahen’ on November 15, 2017Printed on fine paper and fully proof-read literary magazine Kaghazi Paerahen is the forte of writer cum critic and Editor Shahid Shaidai. The editorial of the September-October 2017 issue is a bit bitter in terms of its contents and quite different from the personality that Shahid Shaidai carries. He complains that the two groups of literary people running their respective Halqa-e-Arbab-e-Zauq, … [Read more...] about An insight into the folds of ‘Kaghazi Paerahen’
‘Manzil Manzil’ — Hafeez Tahir’s Astonishing Tales for Children on November 3, 2017The author addresses children aged between 12 to 18 years of age, stating that he travelled back to the days of his childhood while writing this novel. Hafeez Tahir is the most famous and experienced TV Producer & Director, Anchor, Poet, Novelist, Drama Writer, Column Writer, Copy Writer and Still Photographer of his times. Hafeez Tahir has directed the most popular and famous PTV serial … [Read more...] about ‘Manzil Manzil’ — Hafeez Tahir’s Astonishing Tales for Children
Remembering a legend on March 14, 2017It has taken me long to write a piece on Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. I decided to separate it in four portions, first one highlighting him as a singer, then as a qawwal, then as a music composer and finally as an international artist. Another discourse is on his international contributions to music. The present one is a tribute to him as a singer. Nusrat's popularity skyrocketed in the 1990s. One … [Read more...] about Remembering a legend
Mala a voice that shone in films a on October 8, 2016Though we shall continue to mention Mala's various songs that she rendered for Pakistani films, we must mention "Akaile na jaana" from the movie 'Armaan', composed by Sohail Rana. This song was placed during the climax of the film. Waheed Murad and Zeba's couple became the much-sought after pair after this film, so did Mala as a singer. Sohail Rana had actually requested Noor Jahan to … [Read more...] about Mala a voice that shone in films a
