‘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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Akhtari Bai Faizabadi — a girl who found solace in singing on June 15, 2018Listening to Mir Taqi Mir’s Ghazal ‘Ulti Ho Gaeein Sab Tadbeerain/Kutch Na Dawa Nei Kaam Kiya’ composed by music composer Khayyam, my mind travels back to late 1960s when this beautiful number was released. One can notice strong vocals in lower notes entering into softer tones on higher notes to remain tuneful. Emotions and expressions […]
Roshan Ara Begum — the queen of sub-continent’s classical music on 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 […]
‘Aahang’ — Radio Pakistan’s entertaining and powerful monthly magazine on 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, […]