‘Takhleeq’ — upholding the quality of literature, one issue at a time on October 7, 2018Continuity, thy name is Takhleeq. Started by Azhar Javed and now continued by Sonaan Azhar Javed, the magazine has continued for years. In September 2018 issue’s editorial he is skeptical about writers’ dis-concern on the prevalent literary issues. He says that his literary magazine has only survived due to handful of concerned writers. It is an old story that the issues faced by the state of … [Read more...] about ‘Takhleeq’ — upholding the quality of literature, one issue at a time
The versatile music composer Niaz Ahmad on September 14, 2018Famous Pakistani singer Mahnaaz, while talking about her distinguished career on the Pakistan Television Network (PTV), said that her first song’s music had been given by none other than music director Niaz Ahmad. She then sang his composition ‘Kajra Ri Akhion Main Nindiya Na Aaye’, a thumri style song. I too am a witness of Ahmad’s style of music compositions, as I sang three of his songs in … [Read more...] about The versatile music composer Niaz Ahmad
‘Tasteer’ — a well balanced medley of short stories, poems and ghazals on September 12, 2018The problem of modern nazm is not conceptual in nature but a practical one, observes Naseer Ahmad Nasir in the editorial of Tasteer’s April 2018 issue. So far, criticism on modern poem has been concentrated on concept, theory or on syllabus and is devoid of finding as to what is a nazm, a post-modern nazm or a prose nazm, and what necessitated to create these forms of poems. Also we have to … [Read more...] about ‘Tasteer’ — a well balanced medley of short stories, poems and ghazals
‘Tasteer’ — variety of literary topics covered extensively on August 19, 2018Tasteer, the regularly published literary journal attracts me due to its style being followed by most of the subsequent literary journals. It attracts me for the variety of literary topics covered extensively. Each issue far exceeds 500 pages. It is not an easy task to collect, compile, edit and present the contributions of seniors and juniors, fault-free in language and text. In my reviews of … [Read more...] about ‘Tasteer’ — variety of literary topics covered extensively
Alaam Kei Charagho is a collection of ghazals and poems by music-minded Saleem ur Rehman on August 16, 2018Right from Alaam Kei Charagho (lamps of gloom) beginning couplet of its first ghazal, the readers can assess the trend the poet Saleem ur Rehman, is going for. It goes: ‘In Khushk Bayabanon Main Barsaat Karo Gei/Hum Par Bhi Kabhi Apni Anayaat Karo’ (Give rains to this desert as a part of Your blessing). This ghazal is hamdia (in praise of the Almighty) in its structure. While writing this … [Read more...] about Alaam Kei Charagho is a collection of ghazals and poems by music-minded Saleem ur Rehman
Lal Mohammad Iqbal — the forgotten hero duo on July 28, 2018I am an ardent fan of Pakistani music composers Lal Muhammad Iqbal because of their exploiting Raag Bhopali in its true spirit in Mehdi Hassan’s song ‘Duniya Kisi Kei Pyar Main Jannat Sei Kum Nahin’ for the 1966 movie ‘Jaag Utha Insaan’.This movie was released May 20, 1966. The film was produced in Karachi by Habib Pictures. In those days Karachi used to be the second hub of Pakistani film … [Read more...] about Lal Mohammad Iqbal — the forgotten hero duo
Kausar Parveen — a phenomenal singer who died young on July 7, 2018When Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) came into being in 1964 with its pilot station housed in the sheds inside the boundary of Radio Pakistan building (next to present CPU studios) in Lahore, its presentations used to be telecast LIVE for three hours daily, from 6 to 9 in the evenings. Daily transmissions had music programmes as its essential ingredient; folk, classical, traditional and Pop. … [Read more...] about Kausar Parveen — a phenomenal singer who died young
Raj Kumari — first female playback singer on July 3, 2018I woke up to the prowess of singer Raj Kumari when I was a child and used to tag along with my elder sisters and maternal aunts to watch movies in Ladies Shows held in Lahore’s cinemas. In one of these sessions, I saw the film titled ‘Mehal’ (The Mansion) released in 1949. It was blockbuster film and Madhubala-Ashok Kumar pair was supported by Vijay Lakshami playing the role of a neglected wife … [Read more...] about Raj Kumari — first female playback singer
Shamshad Begum — a powerful, crispy but melodious voice on June 22, 2018Even today I hum Shamshad Begum song ‘Ohde Naal Hone Giyan Taan Galaan Goorhian Jehra Ajj Lehya Kei Daivey Kutch Diyan Choorian’ for the reason that her voice is very powerful in this song and yet very pleasing to ears. Of course the tune is catchy as well. Another of her Punjabi hits is a duet with Muhmmad Rafi ‘Saari Umraan Dei Pei Gaye Vichore’. There are many other songs which can be quoted to … [Read more...] about Shamshad Begum — a powerful, crispy but melodious voice
Malika Pukhraj — a strong, unique and tuneful voice on June 19, 2018I remember that Malika Pukhraj telephoned me from Detroit in my hostel, Lucas House, Birmingham UK in the University of Birmingham to fix a recording with Saleem Shahid (father of actor Salman Shahid) for Sunday morning programme for the Asian community. BBC used to air one hour programme ‘Apna Hi Ghar Samajhiye’ (Make Yourself at Home) every Sunday morning at 9 AM and Saleem Shahid was one of the … [Read more...] about Malika Pukhraj — a strong, unique and tuneful voice
