Ghulam Hussain Sajid — a prolific poet on February 16, 2020It is astonishing to see somebody doing so much work in one’s field of interest, quality and quantity wise. One such person is Ghulam Hussain Sajid about whom Mirza Hamid Baig, the renowned scholar writes that a big author excels both in quality and quantity like Mir Taqi Mir, Mushafi and Firaq did. Ghulam Hussain […]
Surmandal — of prime importance for students of classical music on February 6, 2020Since the last few years, whenever we, fans of melody music, come cross each other, we ask each other if anyone had listened to some new melodious composition of a ghazal and the answer is usually in repudiation. Same applies to any new book on music except with some exceptions. In this scenario, a book […]
Bhai Naamdaar — the unsung violinist on January 31, 2020If the golden days of Indo-Pakistan’s music are mentioned, then use of rich violins in their songs used to be considered as an indicator of success of its music as by and large our films are musicals. If Naushad Ali, Shankar Jaikishen, Lakshamikant Pyarelal and Kalyanji Ananadji used violins’ interval pieces in abundance to beautify […]
Writer Ilyas Ghumman — a symbol of Punjabi culture on January 28, 2020I was amazed at the volume and contents of a 722 page yearly Punjabi journal Sahet – 1997 presented to me by its editor Ilyas Ghumman the other day. Ilyas Ghumman is an engineer with graduation in Electronics from NED Engineering College, Karachi but his passion is writing in Punjabi language and literature. He believes […]
‘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 […]
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 […]
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’ […]
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 […]
‘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 […]
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 […]