Roshan Ara Begum — the queen of sub-continent’s classical musicon June 12, 2018Classical music in the subcontinent is at its lowest ebb nowadays, and there are many reasons for this decline. Availability of modern technology, less time with the music lovers to enjoy extended music concerts, discouragement of the use of traditional instruments in live music concerts (replaced by electronic instruments), low turnout of students for learning the intricacies of classical music … [Read more...] about Roshan Ara Begum — the queen of sub-continent’s classical music
‘Aahang’ — Radio Pakistan’s entertaining and powerful monthly magazineon June 4, 2018Title: Aahang — May 2018 Editors: Anis ur Rehman, Afshan Nigar Patron in Chief: Shafqat Jalil Publishers: PBC, Karachi It was a few days after the sudden demise of Syed Shehwar Haider on April 06, 2018 that a condolence reference was held in Nurjehan Auditorium, Radio Pakistan, Lahore on April 30, 2018. Khwaja Shafqat Jalil, Director General, Radio Pakistan especially came from … [Read more...] about ‘Aahang’ — Radio Pakistan’s entertaining and powerful monthly magazine
‘Ghulam Bagh’ — a garden where mental slavery still existson May 28, 2018Title: Ghulam Bagh (Garden of slaves) Author: Mirza Athar Baig Publishers: Sanjh Publications, Lahore Pages: 878, Price: Rs. 600/- A lot has been written on Mirza Athar Baig’s novel ‘Ghulam Bagh’ (Garden of slaves) since it was published. About philosophical angles approached in this fictional piece, he says that it is about the condition of dominance. It tries to deal with all aspects … [Read more...] about ‘Ghulam Bagh’ — a garden where mental slavery still exists
How societal intolerance compels individuals to become either saints or charlatanson May 22, 2018Title: Saints and Charlatans Author: Sarim Baig Publishers: Mongrel Books, Karachi Pages: 205, Price: Rs. 700/- Stories and those too in English language written on the most burning issues in Punjab coming out of pen of a young man Sairum Baig surprised me. The author has written nine short stories in the book titled ‘Saints and Charlatans’ published by Mongrel Books, Karachi. The … [Read more...] about How societal intolerance compels individuals to become either saints or charlatans
‘Anarkali’ — exploring truth behind the legendary slave girl’s deathon May 15, 2018Title: Anarkali Author: Mirza Hamid Beg Publishers: Dost Publications, Islamabad Pages: 248, Price: Rs. 500/- Mirza Hamid Baig has 35 printed books to his credit encompassing research, criticism, short fiction and translation work. The Baha-u-din Zikria University, Multan, AIOU, Islamabad and University of Education, Lahore conducted research on his creative work in the form of thesis … [Read more...] about ‘Anarkali’ — exploring truth behind the legendary slave girl’s death
‘Bayaz’ — an affordable literary treasureon May 11, 2018Title: Bayaz – May 2018 Editor: Imran Manzoor Publishers: Bayaz Group of Publications, Lahore Pages: 257, Price: Rs. 100/- Short story titled 'Qissa Kahani' by writer Seema Piroze’s in the latest issue of monthly literary magazine Bayaz (May 2018) pertains to the power of motherly love whether in humans or in the animals. It recalls the story telling of grandmother about the adoption … [Read more...] about ‘Bayaz’ — an affordable literary treasure
‘Rida-e-Urdu’ — discussing essence of the Urdu languageon May 1, 2018I wonder how an individual can write several books at a time. Professor Dr. Haroon ur Rasheed Tabassum is one such person who does this feat as five books were received only recently from him titled ‘Rida e Urdu’, ‘Adabi Istalahaat’, ‘Isnaaf e Urdu’, ‘Tafakhur e Pakistan’ and ‘Chand Hum Asar Iqbal Shanaas’. Since only one book can be reviewed at a time, I chose 'Rida e Urdu’. The theme of this … [Read more...] about ‘Rida-e-Urdu’ — discussing essence of the Urdu language
Rafiq Ali — music composer of the melodic eraon April 29, 2018Rafiq Ali, known as Master Rafiq Ali in the film world, a Pakistani music composer composed from 1958 to 1987 a total of 62 songs for 26 films; 32 songs in 15 Urdu films and 30 songs in 10 Punjabi films. 1980s was perhaps the last decade when Pakistani film industry produced melodious music. Back then, the ingredients of the three pillar of composing music; music composer, poet and singers were … [Read more...] about Rafiq Ali — music composer of the melodic era
Shamim Nazli — Pakistan’s only female film composeron April 18, 2018Pakistani film industry has been blessed with a powerful sister duo. Mala, or Nasim Nazli was the famous playback singer and Shamim Nazli was the only female music composer in Pakistani film Industry. Both hailed from Faisalabad and were nicknamed as Shammo and Kalo because of their respective fair and dark complexions. Shamim Nazli was the niece of Mirza Sultan Beg, alias Nizam Din, who was born … [Read more...] about Shamim Nazli — Pakistan’s only female film composer
‘Taoos Faqat Rang’ — linked with past but relates to present dayon March 18, 2018Neelum Ahmad Basheer has seen both sides of the world. Born and raised in Pakistan, she has spent considerable time in the US. She says that she is a Pakistani but her children are American-Pakistanis. Already established as a short story writer, she has ventured into entering a larger canvass of novel writing and has knitted a story spread over both places of her abode. She observes that the … [Read more...] about ‘Taoos Faqat Rang’ — linked with past but relates to present day
