Samina Raja; a Column by Amjad Islam Amjad on Samina Raja's Demise

Samina Raja (Urdu: ثمینہ راجہ ‎‎ 11 September 1961 – 30 October 2012) was a Pakistani poet, writer, editor, translator, educationist and broadcaster. She wrote in Urdu. She lived in Islamabad, Pakistan and worked in the National Language Authority as a Subject Specialist. 

Miss Raja passed away on October 30th, 2012 due to cancer in Islamabad at the age of 51. Her demise left her huge readership across the globe where Urdu is read and many of men of liter have express their grief on her demise. 

In the following you can read a column by Amjad Islam Amjad, a well known Urdu poet, Drama writer and columnist, which was published in an Urdu daily. Amjad wrote this column about Samina Raja. 

I hope you will like it and it will increase your knowledge about the late Urdu poetess. 

Samina Raja; a Famous Urdu Poetess

Samina Raja

Samina Raja (Urdu: ثمینہ راجہ ) is a renowned Pakistani poetess, writer, editor, translator, educationist and broadcaster. She writes in Urdu. She lives in Islamabad, Pakistan and works in the National Language Authority as a Subject Specialist. 

Raja was born on 11 September 1961 in Rahim Yar Khan (Iqbalabad Muradpur), Pakistan. She has a Master's degree in Urdu Literature from Punjab University Lahore. 

She started writing poetry in 1973 and has published twelve books of poetry, two Kulliat and one selection of her romantic poetry so far. She has written some books in Urdu prose and has edited and translated some valuable works of prose from English to Urdu. 

Raja joined the National Book Foundation as a consultant and editor of monthly Kitab in 1998. In 1998 she also joined monthly Aassar as an editor.

Huweda by Samina Raja

As a media person, she has been conducting All Pakistan Mushairas since 1995 on Pakistan Television (PTV). She also has presented a long series of a famous literary program Urdu Adab Mein Aurat Ka Kirdar "The Role of Woman in Urdu Literature" on PTV. 

Raja currently works as a Subject Specialist in the National Language Authority, Islamabad and is planning to bring out a new literary magazine Khwabgar[the Dream Maker]'s Ahmad Faraz (a great Urdu poet) number. 

She started writing in 1973 and has published twelve collections of her poetry. Following are the titles of her published books with their meanings in chronological order. 

1. Huweda [1995]
2. Shehr e saba [1997] 
3. Aur Wisal [1998] 
4. Khwabnaey [1998] 
5. Bagh e Shab [1999] 
6. Bazdeed [2000] 
7. Haft Aasman [2001] 
8. Parikhana [2002] 
9. Adan Ke Rastey Par [2003] 
10. Dil e Laila [2004] 
11. Ishqabad [2006] 
12. Hijr Nama [2008]

A Ghazal by Samina Raja

She also has published two Kulliat and one selection of her poetry, 

1. Kita e Khwab [2004] 
2. Kitab e Jan [2005] 
3. Woh Sham Zara Si Gehri Thi [2005] 

She has written two books of prose which are: 

1. Sharq Shanasi [2005] Orientalism by Edward Said 
2. Bartanvi Hind Ka Mustaqbil [2007] Verdict on India by Beverley Nichols 

The femenine and human perspectives of love and longing, nostalgias of past and past lives, socio psychological problems of the new age, mythological and metaphysical subjects. Raja is the most prolific poetess of her time and has full command on both Ghazal and Nazm. 

 

Raja has also been the editor of four literary magazines: 

1. Mustaqbil [1991,1994] 
2. Kitab [1998,2005] 
3. Aasar [1998,2004] 
4. Khwabgar [2008] 

She is working as a Subject Specialist in NLA and has restarted her literary magazine Aassar. She is publishing a special issue of her new magazine Khwabgar, Ahmad Faraz number.

Aitbar Sajid; a Well known Urdu Poet of Our Time:

Aitbar Sajid

Aitbar Sajid/Aitebaar Sajid (Urdu: اعتبار ساجد) is one of the best known Urdu poets of our time, born in Multan Division now lives in Islamabad. His poetry has attracted millions. 

 In 80's he was the one whose ghazals were waited among boys. He was handsome and charming and used to read with Tarannum (rhythmic delivery of words in a tune). 

His name appeared in the circle of Urdu Adab 27 years ago. He is a well known Poet, Essay writer, travelogue writer and short story writer but his poetry made him known to each Urdu lover. Many compilations of his poetry have been published. 

Rahat Indori; a Famous Urdu Poet

Rahat Indori

Rahat Indori (Urdu: ڈاکٹر راحت اندوری ) (born January 1, 1950) is an eminent Urdu language poet and a bollywood lyricist, prior to this he was a pedagogist of Urdu literature at Indore University.

A child was born on January 1, 1950 in Indore to Rafatullah Qureshi, a cloth mill worker, and his wife Maqbool Un Nisa Begum. This was their fourth child and they named him Rahat. He did his schooling from Nutan School Indore from where he completed his Higher Secondary. He completed his graduation from Islamia Karimia College Indore in 1973 and has passed his MA in Urdu literature from Barkatullah University Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) in 1975. Equally competent in prose and poetry, Rahat was awarded a PhD in Urdu literature from the Bhoj University of Madhya Pradesh in 1985 for his thesis titled Urdu Main Mushaira.

He started teaching Urdu literature in IK College, Indore. According to his students he was the best lecturer in the college. In between he became very busy with Mushairas and started receiving invitations from all over India and abroad. He became very popular among the masses as well the classes with his ability, hard work and a characteristic style of delivering Ashaar. He made a place for himself in the hearts of people very early and within three to four years the fragrance of his poetry had made him a well-known figure in the world of Urdu literature. He was not only good at studies but was also the captain of the football and hockey team at school and college level. He recited his first sher in his college days when he was only 19. In those days his style of writing was surprising, advanced and had a freshness to it.

a Ghazal by Rahat Indori

Rahat had two elder sisters Tehzib and Taqreeb, an elder brother Aquil and then a younger brother Adil. Rahat’s early days were difficult as the financial condition of the family was not very good. He had to start working at the early age of 10 as a sign-painter. Painting was one of the areas of his interest and very soon, because of his talent, extraordinary designing skills, fantastic colour sense and imagination he became famous and also the busiest signboard painter of Indore. Clients were willing to wait for months to get their boards painted by Rahat. Many signboards he painted for shops can be seen even today in Indore.

He continues to design book covers even today and, in spite of his busy schedule, he manages to find some time for painting, as he hasn't given up his love of colours. He had started attending Nashist and small gatherings in Indore. In 1972, on the request of his mother. Her brother Mr. Hakim Hanfi, who was working with Municipal Corporation in, Dewas (Small Town Near Indore) had arranged to invite him for reciting his poems in an All India Mushaira held at Dewas. That was his first All India Mushaira. He became very popular among the masses as well the classes with his ability, hard work and a characteristic style of delivering Ashaar. He was married to Seema daughter of Kotwal Ahmed Hussain and Niyazan Bee of Dewas on 27 May 1976. 'Seema…jiske intezaar ne shayar bana diya…. '(Extract from his book of verse Dhoop Dhoop). On 27 November 1978, his daughter Shibli was born, on 26 June 1980 his first Son Faisal and on 11 March 1982, his second son Satlaj was born.

Rahat Indori

He received a tremendous reception in Pakistan when he was only 26 years old and from then on he has been receiving invitations from different parts of the world. He has recited his poetry in 100+ cities of USA, Canada, West Germany, England, Pakistan, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan etc. a number of times much to the appreciation of his millions of fans Awards - Some of the Awards amongst countless Honours - Honour, Embassy of India, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Honour, Jung News Paper Publications, Karachi, Pakistan - Mohd. Ali Taj Award, MP Urdu Academy, Bhopal - Maulana Mohd Ali Johar Award - Jamia old Boys Association, New Delhi - Adeeb International Award - Sahir Cultural Academy, Ludhiana - Haq Banarasi Award - Anjuman Nawa e Haq, Banaras - Sahitya Saraswat, Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, Prayag - Indira Gandhi Award, National Federation, Haldwani - Pradesh Ratna, Hindi Sahitya Parishad, Bhopal - National Integration Award, Indian Cultural Society, New Delhi - UP Hindi Urdu Sahitya Award, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh, Lukhnow - Rajiv Gandhi Literary Award, Hum sab Ek Hain, Bhopal - Award of Excellence in Urdu Poetry, Social Educational & Welfare Association (SEWA), Mumbai - Sadbhaawna Award, Bazm E Gango Jaman, Ujjain - Aafaq Haider Award, Shamim Memon Memorial Foundation, Varanasi - Faani o Shakil Award, Dr. Urmilesh Jan Chetna Samiti, Badaun - Nishwar Wahidi Award, National Book Fare Trust, Kanpur - Netaji Subhash Alankaran, Subhash Manch, Indore - Dr. Zakir Hussain Award, Delhi Govt., New Delhi - Nishan E Aijaz, Dr. Shakil Welfare Educational Society, Bareilly - Kaifi Aazmi Award, Bhartiya Rashtriya Ekta Parishad, Varanasi - Urdu Award, Jhansi - Mirza Ghalib Award, Jhansi.

Paigham Aafaqi; a Renowned Urdu Poet, Novelist and Short Story Writer

Paigham Aafaqi

Paig̲h̲ām Āfāqī ('آفاقى، پيغام or پيغام آفاقى), also written Paigham Afaqi pr Paigham Afaqui ' is the literary name of Akhtar Ali Farooquee , an Indian writer, known particular for his Urdu novels and short stories.

Paigham Afaqui was born in 1956 in Chanp village of Siwan district in Bihar in a farmer’s family. He did his schooling from his home town and did his B.A. Hons (English Literature) and M.A. History from the Aligarh Muslim University. He appeared in IAS examination in 1976 and worked in various important capacities in the Delhi Police and also as Principal of the Police Training College.

While in school some of his poems were published in newspapers and periodicals. While in university his short stories and poems were published in Aahang, tehrik, Aajkal and other literary magazines. He was also Secretary, Literary Society of Aligarh Muslim University in 1975-76 and played significant role in boosting fiction writing among students. A remarkable number of writers like Ghazanfer, Syed Mohd Ashraf, Tariq Chhatari, Ibne Kanwal, Ghyasur Rehman and poets like Farhat Ehsas, Obeid siddiqui, Mehtab Naqvi belong to this period. Most of them were either directly or indirectly influenced by senior writers Qazi Abdus Sattar and Shahryar. Paigham Afaqui has been a student of renowned historian Irfan Habib.

Paigham Aafaqi

Paigham Afaqui's name as a writer came in eminence after publication of his novel Makaan in 1989 which was widely reviewed in Urdu and English. His two other books: 'Mafia', a collection of short stories and 'Darinda': a collection of poems were also acclaimed.

A single novel MAKAAN made Paigham Afaqui the most celebrated fiction writer in India. 'Cop's novel makes waves' - reported The Hindustan Times. No Urdu novel ever created such a tremor in literary & intellectual circles alike. This novel re-generated fiction writing not only in Urdu but in English as well - no novelist, including the... much acclaimed English writers like Vikram Seth and Arundhati Roy or the Gyan Peeth Winner Quratul Ain Haider ever commanded such wide respect in media and intelligentsia and was ever given such a coverage by national press surpassing all differences and doubts. There was not a single national newspapers which remained behind in celebrating the emergence of a literary genius. Even much before the novel was translated in English & Hindi it was already a highly respected novel. MAKAAN made Paigham Afaqui to Delhi what Albert Camus had been to France and Kafka had been to Germany. This novel finished the era of 'jadidiat' in Urdu fiction and turned Urdu novel into a tool of creative thinking rather than flat narrative of the earlier era. thus raising the level of Urdu fiction to unprecedented height of originality and creative excellence.

Paigham Aafaqi

For a job he appeared in the Union Public Service Commission and qualified for all the services but being underage he was offered police service. He was posted in Andaman & Nicobar Islands where he remained at various places for four years. Since 1984 he is in Delhi Police where he has served in the fields of district police administration, airport security, public safety, police training, anti-corruption and crime investigation.

While in the university he published short stories in literary magazines like Aahang, Aajkal, Tehrik. In the university he was Secretary of University Literary Club, AMU, Aligarh. In 1989 he published his first major novel Makan. In 1990 he founded Indian Academy of Fiction. In 1994 he was involved in the making of a TV serial in which he familiarized himself in film making and made many other TV programs. He gives talks on film making to the students of Mass Media in Jawaharlal Nehru University. In 1996 he developed software for writing scripts and founded Screenplay House.

Paigham Aafaqi

In 1994-95 he was Secretary, Crescent Education Society that runs a number of schools in Delhi. In 1997 he was Vice-President of AMU Old Boy’s Association, Delhi. During this period he also wrote a variety of philosophical books and articles of literary and social nature. He has been reading short stories on All Indian Radio and participating in its discussion. He has been usually appearing in literary programs of Bazm and Kahkashan on National Tele-vision.

His novel Makan is considered a beacon in the present scenario of Urdu fiction. Besides Makan, his major achievement is a literary movement for revival of contemporariness and nativity In Urdu novel and fiction. He is on the panel of directors of IGNOU for making programs for Mass Education.

He is considered one of the most eminent writers and poets in modern Urdu and has contributed it as a trendsetter.

Paleeta by Paigham Aafaqi

He has been prominently profiled and interviewed by |English national dailies and journals like Hindustan Times, Times of India, Pioneer, National Herald, Patriot, Tribune, Mid-Day and Link and numerous Hindi and Urdu dailies and journals. He has delivered talks in JNU on Film making as regular panelist, and makes regular appearance on TV channels: DD-1, DD-2, E-TV, Jain TV, City-TV etc.

Paigham Aafaqi has worked on varioue designations; such as:

• Secretary, University Literary Club, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 1975-76

• Chairman;Fiction Academy, Delhi, involved in the study of quality and utility of film,TV and written fiction and its impact on society.

He has won various awards such as:

• Firoz Gandhi Memorial Award

• Urdu Academy, UP First Award for Book

• Urdu Academy, Govt. of Delhi : Award For Contribution to Fiction

• Millennium Award for Fiction : Jamia Urdu, Aligarh

He has written the following books;

• Novel MAKAAN

• Novel PALEETA

• Short Stories MAFIA

• Poetry DARINDA

Satyapal Anand; a Renowned Urdu Poet, Novelist and Short Story writer

Satyapal Anand

Satyapal Anand (Urdu: ستیا پال آنند) born on April 24, 1931, is a poet, critic and writer from India. He has written several fictional and poetry books in four languages: English, Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi. He has also received awards for his literary work.

Anand was born April 24, 1931 in Kot Sarang, Chakwal district, now in Pakistan. He finished his primary education there and attended secondary school in Rawalpindi in 1947. After the partition of India, his family moved to Ludhiana in East Punjab, where he received his college education, earning a Masters in English from the Punjab University in Chandigarh with academic distinction. Later, he earned his first doctoral degree in English Literature with a thesis titled "Changing concept of the nature of reality and literary techniques of expression." He earned his second doctoral degree in Philosophy from the Trinity University, Texas.

Satyapal Anand in a Ceremony

Anand married Promila Anand in November 1957 and the couple had two sons (Pramod and Sachin) and a daughter (Daisy).

Anand has spent most of his life in teaching graduate and post-graduate students in universities around the globe. Starting with the Punjab University in Chandigarh in 1961, he has held teaching positions at other universities, including the University of District of Columbia (UDC) in Washington, DC. He has also been a visiting professor at South Eastern University in Washington, D.C., University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, and Open University in England. From 1992-95 he was on special assignment as a Professor of Education in the Department of Technical Education, Saudi Arabia. He has availed many invitations in his professorship life,having nickname "Air Port Professor" by his pupils and friends. He visited several countries including U.K, Germany, Turkey, Denmark, Norway and North America.

Thus Spake the Fish, Poem by Satyapal

Anand's writing career started in the early 50s when in a span of just two years he published a poetry collection, a collection of stories, and novels, all in Urdu. He had his brush with authorities when the Government of Punjab, India banned his Hindi novel "Chowk Ghanta Ghar" in 1957 and ordered his arrest. His first book of short stories was published in 1953, when he was a 22 year young student. He has been highly praised by the Urdu writers and poets for his best literary work in Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi and English. He mostly writes poems rather than ghazals. His poems are based on history, mythology or mixed culture of the West and the East. 

Anand's English poem "Thus Spake The Fish" has qualified for the award in an international competion by UN sponsored committee for "Earth Preservation Day Celebration."

Sunset Strands by SatyaPal

Satyapal Anand was awarded with many prestigious awards like;

• Nehru Fellowship Award for his book Promises to Keep; Ahmad Adaya

• Urdu Markaz Award, Los Angeles

• Shiromani Sahityakar Award by the Government of Punjab, India

He has written more than a dozen books. A list of is aothored books is given below

Short stories:

• Jeeney Key Liye

• Apney Markaz Ki Taraf

• Dil Ki Basti

• Apni Apni Zanjeer

• Patthar Ki Saleeb

Novels:

• Aahat

• Chowk Ghanta Ghar

• Ishq Maut Aur Zindagi

• Shehr Ka Ek Din

A Vagrant Mirror by Satyapal

Urdu poetry:

• Dast e Barg

• Waqt La Waqt

• Aaney Wali Sahar Band Khirki Hai

• Lahu Bolta Hai

• Mustaqbil aa Mujh Se Mil

• Aakhri Chattan Tak

• Mujhay Kar Vida

• Mere Andar Ek Samandar

• Meri Muntakhab Nazmen

• Byaz e Umr

Books in Hindi:

• Yug Ki Awaz

• Painter Bawrie

• Azadi Ki Pukar, Bhoori

• Dil Ki Basti

• Chowk Ghanta Ghar

• Geet Aur Ghazles

• Ghazlon Ka Guldasta

The Dream Weaver by Satyapal

In Punjabi:

• Saver Dopeher Shaam

• Makhu Mittha

• Ghazal Ghazal Darya

• Ghazal Ghazal Sagar

• Ghazal Ghazal Leher

• Rajneetak Chetana Ate Sutantarta Sangraam

In English:

• The Dream Weaver

• A Vagrant Mirror

• One Hundred Buddhas

• If Winter Comes

• Sunset Strands

• Some shallow, some deep

• Life's a tale

Sudarshan Faakir; Ye Dolat Bhi Le Lo Fame Urdu Poet

Sudarshan Faakir

Sudarshan Faakir (1934 – 2008) (Urdu: سدرشن فاکر) was an Indian poet and lyricist whose ghazals and some nazms were sung by Begum Akhtar and Jagjit Singh.

 

Faakir belonged to the small and diminishing tribe of non-Muslim Urdu poets from East Punjab. Sudarshan Faakir is the first lyricist to have won a Filmfare Award for his very first song. Apart from the hits like Woh Kagaz Ki Kashti, he was famous for a religious number - Hey Ram... Hey Ram. He is the Writer of National NCC Song of India- Hum Sab Bhartiya Hain. Apart from Non-Film Music, Sudarshan Faakir has Penned Songs from various films also.

Sudarshan ‘Faakir’ was the favourite poet of ‘Mallika-e-ghazal’ Begum Akhtar in her last phase, She sang five of his ghazals. He was also the co-traveller of Jagjit Singh, an association that began with ‘Woh kagaz ki kishti, woh barish ka pani’ in 1982.

ye Dolat b Lelo by Faakir

Faakir was an MA in political science and English from DAV College, Jalandhar. Active in dramatics and poetry right from his college days, he directed Mohan Rakesh’s play “Ashaar ka ek din” in his youth. 

He lent his voice to AIR, Jalandhar before he left for Bombay where he later wrote for music directorJaidev. His song ‘Zindagi, zindagi, mere ghar aana zindagi' from Bhim Sen’s ‘Dooriyan’ as well as dialogues for the film ‘Yalgaar’ are popular till date. It is also claimed that the song, “Hum sab Bhartiya hain”, which is sung at the NCC camps across the country, was penned by him.

A perfectionist to the core, he labored hard over his poetry. Faakir is perhaps one of the last of the tribe of vanishing poets who lived for poetry and it is noteworthy that he put together his poetry in an anthology and published his first ‘diwan’ only after he became a much-celebrated poet.

Sahir Hoshiarpuri; a Renowned Urdu Poet

Ghazal by Sahir Hoshyarpuri

Sahir Hoshiarpuri (1913–1994), (urdu:ساحر ہوشیارپوری ) (born Ram Parkash (urdu: رام پرکاش ), was a renowned Urdu poet who mainly wrote ghazals that have been sung by many leading singers including Jagjit Singh. He was a disciple of Josh Malsiani who belonged to the Daagh School of Urdu Poetry.

Sahir Hoshiarpuri was born and brought up in Hoshiarpur, Punjab where he studied in Govt. College and earned his M.A.Degree in Persian in the year 1935. It was during his college days that he came into contact with Mehr Lal Soni Zia Fatehabadi (1913–1986) who was then studying in Forman Christian College in nearby Lahore; their friendship lasted a life time. They were both residing in Kanpur when Sahir Hoshiarpuri along with Naresh Kumar Shad (1927–1969) edited and published the Urdu Journal Chandan. The qataa e tareekh, a difficult format to master, composed by Sahir Hoshiarpuri in August, 1986 to commemorate the demise of his friend, Mehr Lal Soni Zia Fatehabadi, was published in the October 1986 issue of the Monthly Biswin Sadi, New Delhi (whose publication was started by Khushtar Girami (1902–1988) in 1937 from Lahore).

There now exist three published collections of Sahir’s poems – Jal Tarang, Sehr e nagma and Sehr e ghazal besides his other work Nuqoosh e Dagh. In 1989 he was given the Ghalib Award by the Ghalib Institute in recognition of his literary services. His is the lyrical Romantic Poetry couched in simple words that has made his writings popular.

Ravish Siddiqui; a Renowned Urdu Poet

Ghazal by Ravish Siddiqui

Ravish Siddiqui(1911-1971) (Urdu: روش صدیقی), born Shahid Aziz (Urdu: شاہد عزیز) at Jawalapur in District Saharanpur of Uttar Pradesh was a renowned Urdu Ghazal and Nazm writer whose forte was Romantic Poetry and Patriotic Poetry. 

A self-educated person he had studied and gained fluency in Urdu, Arabic, Persian, Hindi, Sanskrit and English. 

Ravish Siddiqi worked in the All India Radio at the time when Prem Nath Dar, Saghar Nizami and Salaam Machhlishahari were also working in the same institution. 

His collection of ghazals titled Mehrab-e-Ghazal was published in 1956.

Muztar Khairabadi; a Renowned Urdu Poet

Muztar Khairabadi

Muztar Khairabadi (1865–1927) was an Indian Urdu poet. He is a distinguished personality in Urdu literature.

Muztar Khairabadi (full name Iftikhar Hussain Muztar Khairabadi) was an established poet of the Urdu Language. He was the grandson of Allama Maulvi Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi, a poet, philosopher, religious scholar, literary personage of Arabic, Persian, and Urdu, and freedom fighter in the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Muztar Khairabadi's parents were Haafiz Ahmad Hasan "Ruswa" and Mohatrama Bibi HirmaN Khairabadi. Bibi HirmaN KHairabadi was an enlightened poetess.She was encircled by an entire family of great poets.She was the daughter of Allama Fazle Haq Khairabadi.She was the wife of "Ruswa" khairabadi.She was the sister of Maulwi Shamsul Haq Khairabadi and Maulwi Abdul Haq Khairabadi.She was the mother of Bismil Khairabadi and Muztar Khairabadi.She was the grand mother of Bartar khairabadi,Nashtar khairabadi,and Janisar Akhtar.She was great grand mother of many many more who continued the family poetic tradition.muztar khairabadi was born in Khairabad. He grew up under the tutelage of his mother, HirmaN Khairabadi .She was very talented woman with many great qualities.Her brother Maulana Abdul Haq Khairabadi said of her: "I am glad that she was a woman and not a man.If she were my brother, then I would not have had a chance to shine intellectually in front of her .She is such a great mind." It is notable that HirmaN Khairabadi was an out-standing scholar and poetess in an era when female education was not popular.She was sufi by nature ;as a result , the color and tone of her poetry were spiritual.Muztar Khairabadi got initial Islah in poetry from his mother.

Famous Ghazal by Muztar Khairabadi

Muztar Khairabadi wrote a poetry collection, Nazr-e-Khuda, in praise of God. He was well-known for his naatia kalaam, poetry praising the Prophet Mohammad. His collection "Meelaad-e-Mustafa" was published by Alvi Press, Bhopal. Muztar Khairabadi's poem Behr-e-Taweel and his ghazal Marg-e-Ghalat ki Fariyad are considered remarkable examples of Urdu poetry. His prose is also forceful. Allah Bas Baqi Hawis, Dukhi Ki Pukar, and MuNh Dekhi Muhabbat are good examples of his prose. A collection of his poetry, Ilhamaat, was edited by his son, Nashtar Khairabadi. Muztar Khairabadi published a magazine entitled Karishama-e-Dilbar in Khairabad, Sitapur District). Muztar Khairabadi spent his life in Khairabad, Tonk, Gwalior, Indore, Bhopal and Rampur. In his lifetime he received numerous distinguishing titles, including Khan Bahadur, Eitbar-ul-Mulk, and Iftikhar-ul-Shaura. "Muztar Khairabadi: Hayaat aur shairi," by Dr. Khalil-Ullah Khan, published by Urdu Publishers, Lucknow, discusses the poet's life and works.

One of Muztar Khairabadi's most famous poems, Main kis ke dil ka ghubar huN, is often incorrectly attributed to Bahadur Shah II, the last Moghul king in Delhi, because of the deep sorrow and dejection expressed in it.

Muztar Khairabadi

Unfortunately, Muztar Khairabadi's diwan - his entire collected works of poetry - was lost when a mob burned down the printing press in Delhi where they were housed, during the communal riots of 1947 associated with the Partition of India. What remains of his work are only certain poems that were in the possession of his descendants and admirers.

Muztar Sahib served as a judge in the states of Tonk and Gwalior. He was a man of versatile genius, known for issuing his judicial verdicts in extemporaneous verse. He is famed as the judge in the case of Nuthmul, whom he set free in spite of the Maharaja of Gwalior's instructions to the contrary. Nuthmul was a childhood friend of the Maharaja; however, when the maharajah ascended the throne, their friendship went sour. The Maharaja had Nuthmul framed in a case which came before Muztar Sahib. Muztar Sahib found Nuthmul not guilty as charged and set him free. Thereafter, having defied his royal patron, he hurriedly left his judicial service in Gwalior and fled to Bhopal. In his final years, he lived and worked in Indore. He is buried in Gwalior.

Jaan Nisar Akhtar

Muztar Sahib was a handsome man and always wore elegant clothes. He had a sharp and creative mind and a remarkable memory. In a room full of his disciples he would ask them to recite their poems, keep track of who had read what, and make corrections. He was a wealthy man, his wealth derived from his service as a legal adviser to Nawabs and Maharajas. He was also a teacher and mentor of the Nawab of Rampur.

Muztar Khairabadi's descendants who continue his Urdu poetic tradition include his sons Eitbar Husain Bartar Khairabadi, Yadgar Husain Nashtar Khairabadi, Jan Nisar Husain Akhtar (Jan Nisar Akhtar), and his grandsons Barqarar Husain, Namdar Husain, Shandar Husain, Dr.Shahzad Rizvi, Irshad Rizvi, and Zia Khairabadi, and grandaughters Syeda Naheed Nashtar, Dr.Suhela Nashtar, Dr.Imrana Nashtar, Rukhsana Waseem, Javed Akhtar, and Dr. Salman Akhtar.

Makhdoom Muhiuddin; an Urdu Poet

Makhdoom Muhiuddin

Makhdoom Mohiuddin (Urdu: مخدوم محی الدین) or Abu Sayeed Mohammad Makhdoom Mohiuddin Huzri (February 4, 1908 – August 25, 1969) was an Urdu poet and Marxist political activist of India. He was a distinguished revolutionary Urdu poet. On February 4 and 5, 2008, a slew of programmes were organized in Hyderabad to mark his birth centenary celebrations in which top writers like Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, Vibhuti Narain Rai, scientists like P. M. Bhargava and Vice-Chancellor of Hyderabad University Syed E. Hasnain participated. 

Mohiuddin was born in the village of Andole in Medak district in the princely state of Hyderabad, India.

He earned a masters degree in 1936 from Osmania University. He founded the Progressive Writers Union in Hyderabad and was active with the Comrades Association and the Communist Party of India, and at the forefront of the 1946–1947 Telengana Rebellion against the Nizam of the erstwhile Hyderabad state.

Ghazal by Makhdoom Muhiuddin

Makhdoom grew up to become an Urdu language poet of incredible versatility. He is best known for his collection of poems Bisat-e-Raqs (The Dance Floor), for which he was awarded the 1969 Sahitya Akademi Award in Urdu. His published works include an essay "Tagore" and his Poetry, a play, Hosh ke Nakhun (Unravelling), an adaptation of Shaw's Widowers' Houses, and a collection of prose essays. Bisat-e-Raqs is a complete collection of Makhdoom's verse including his two earlier collections Surkh Savera (The Red Dawn) 1944, and Gul-e-Tar (The Dewdrenched Rose) 1961.

He is known as Shayar-e-Inquilab' ('Poet of the Revolution'). His ghazals and lyrics have been used in many Hindi films. Among his notable is the romantic ghazal: Ek Chameli Ke Mandve Taley and Phir Chhidi Baat, Baat PhooloN Ki.

Makhdoom had a mixed childhood. His father died when he was just six years and mother got married to another man. His paternal uncle took over his guardianship and ensured that he gets the best education and treated him fairly. Makhdoom was very kind to children and loved them a lot, since he got orphaned at very young age probably he very well knew the feelings of a child. He got his school and religious education in his village and later on moved to Hyderabad city for higher education (Bachelors and Masters Degree). He settled down in Hyderabad after completing his higher education and got involved in the fight for "Free India" against the British rule . He was the founder of Communist Party in Andhra Pradesh (southern) Indian state. Therefore he is also called as "Freedom Fighter" of India and has also rallied against the then Monarchy of the Princely State of Hyderabad to merge with India. The then ruler of Hyderbad, Mir Osman Ali Khan (Nizam) had ordered to kill him for awkening people for freedom and get rid of the Nawab or the princely rule.

Book on Makhdoom Muhiuddin

He got married to Rabia Begum and had three children with her. The elder among his children is daughter Zakia Begum followed by two sons. The first son is Nusrath Mohiuddin, ex-employee of State Bank of Hyderabad, a well known poet, a member of CPI, secretary of Insaf Tehreek. The second son is Zafar Mohiuddin, works for Singareni colleries in Khammam district, Andhra Pradesh.

His daughter is the eldest among his children and Makhdoom had special love and affection for his daughter. She could not complete her school education due to pressure from elder members of her family as her father was always busy with trade union meetings campaigning for his communist party and public life. But he always presented her gifts whenever he returns from a foreign trip. She too loved her father very much and she died due to kidney failure and long illness on August 6, 2010.She was married to Syed Abdul Rahim Quadri and had three daughters and three sons.The eldest daughter is Manzoor Fatima,Farrukh Rahim Quadri(eldest son),Farida Ashraf Fatima,Tooba Anjuman Fatima,Anwar Rahim Quadri and Raoof Rahim Quadri.Makhdoom was very fond of photography and had a wealth of family photos.

Nusrath Mohiuddin has two daughters: the eldest Ayesha Siddiqua has a girl child named Nida Un Naser.The second Asma Siddiqua Khan has a daughter Tahniyath Unissa also known as Maryam and a son Mohammed Laiq Ali Khan alias Omer.Zafar mohiuddin has three daughters and a son. Their names are: Firasat Fatima (elder daughter), Aslam Mohiuddin (son), Afshan, Juveria.

Ghazal by Makhdoom Muhiuddin

Makhdoom died with a massive heart attack while attending a convention held by Communist Party High Command in New Delhi in 1969. He is remembered all over India for his dedicated work towards the upliftment of poor and fighting for their cause. Though he was the Chairman of Andhra Pradesh Housing Board for five years but he never owned a house.

He was also a member of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council for 5 years and the most popular political leader across India. Among his close friends are: Raj Bahadur Gaur,Syed Sibte Hassan, Saher Ludhianwi, Shakeel Badayuni, Sajjad Zaheer, S A Dange. He had travelled almost all European countries that exists under the umbrella of Russia and also visited China. He also met Yuri Gagarin when he visited Moscow and wrote a poem on him.

In jail they were given very worse kind of meal. Once the party members found some insects in their meal, Makhdoom commented: Tell your jailor that we all here are vegetarian, we don't eat this non-vegetarian meal.

In jail he met Aamir, who was sent to jail by his lover's family mambers. He requested Makhdoom to help. Makhdoom replied: We should now start a lovers union, and the slogan should be, Lovers of the world, Unite! Later in jail Aamir learned about the Telengana Movement and Marxism and later on joined the struggle.

Hakeem Ahmad Shuja; a Famous Urdu Poet and Playwriter

Hakeem Ahmad Shuja

Hakim Ahmad Shuja (also sometimes written as 'Hakeem Ahmed Shujah') (born 1893-died January 1969), MBE, was a famous Urdu and Persian poet, playwright, writer, scholar and mystic, from former British India, later Pakistan.

Hakim Ahmad Shuja belonged to an old and prominent family of mystics and Islamic religious scholars, who had migrated from Arabia and Turkey to India, between the 10th-11th centuries AD. During the times of the Sultans of Delhi, the family came to prominence as religious divines and Hakims i.e. practitioners of the traditional Hikmat (the Unani, or Greek system of medicine) and by the time of the Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great (c.1542-1605) they were established as Court Physicians at Lahore, in the Bhati Gate area of the Old City. Later, family members served as Chief Qazis(or Qadis) at Lahore and Kashmir under Afghan (Durrani) rule, and a branch were ministers during Ranjit Singh's Sikh rule. Ahmad Shuja's father, Hakim Shuja-ed-din, was a Sufi mystic of the Chishtiya Order and one of the early pioneers of the Urdu literary press in Lahore, bringing out the famous "Shor-i-Mahshar" journal and participating actively in the work of the Anjuman-i-Himayat-i-Islam and Anjuman i Punjab associations. 

Book on Hakeem Ahmad Shuja

Hakim Ahmad Shuja was the only son of his parents, who both died when he was still a minor and he was brought up largely by an elder cousin, Hakim Amin-ed-din, Barrister. After a basic education in Arabic and Quranic studies at home, and initial Sufic training under various notable mystics, he was then admitted for 'English education' to the old Central Model School, Lahore and later sent to the famous Aligarh University, from where he graduated with honours. For some time, Hakim Ahmad Shuja then worked as a lecturer at the Osmania University in Hyderabad state (Deccan) but was not happy and returned to Lahore to seek employment there. After several journalistic and academic ventures, he eventually settled down to regular service in the secretariat of the Punjab Legislative Assembly, finally retiring as Secretary to the Punjab Assembly in the 1950s.

Hakim Ahmad Shuja was a very prolific and versatile writer indeed, producing several collections of Urdu and Persian poetry, countless essays and belles-lettres published in newspapers and journals throughout India (and later Pakistan), one of the earliest translations of the Quran in Punjabi language, several dramatic works in collaboration with Imtiaz Ali Taj, Agha Hashar and other theatrical producers, and, later on, screenplays and lyrics for the early Indo-Pakistan cinema. 

Hakeem Ahmad Shuja

However, his fame today rests chiefly on these noted works: "Lahore ka Chelsea" (1967; 1989 reprint), a collection of memoirs of Old Lahore; "Khoon-Baha" (1962), some of his other personal memoirs; "Gard-i-Karvan" (1950s; reprint 1960), a collection of poems and essays in praise of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and the 'Ahl i Bayt' (members of the Prophet's family) as exemplars of the 'Ideal' Muslim character; and his lovely, lyrical poems, some of which were later successfully adapted for film songs. These works reflect his idealism and humane and deeply mystical faith and a Romanticism which reflects both the typical Urdu and Persian poetic traditions, as well as the influence of Western writers such as Shelley, Thomas Carlyle, Goethe and Victor Hugo. 

Hakim Ahmad Shuja continued to write even until the time of his death in 1969. Between the 1950s and 1960s, he became especially interested in the potentialities of film-making and cinema. In many ways, thus, he had a direct influence and bearing upon the development of both early Pakistani literature and cinema. In addition, he also made a significant contribution to the early development of Urdu language, linguistics and etymology as permanent secretary and one of the main compilers/editors of Pakistan's Official Language Committee, 1949, responsible for the standardization of official and court terms, from English to Urdu.

Gali Gali Meri Yaad Bichi Hay Piyaray Rasta Dekh K Chal; Nasir Kazmi Recites His Poetry

Nasir Kazmi

Syed Nasir Raza Kazmi, (1925–1972) (Urdu: سید ناصر رضا كاظمی ) was a renowned Urdu poet of Pakistan. He was one of the greatest poets of this era, especially in the use of "ista'aaray" and "chhotee beher".

Kazmi was born on December 8, 1925 at Ambala in British India. He was educated at Ambala, Simla and Lahore. He returned to Ambala in 1945 and started looking after his ancestral land. After the creation of Pakistan in 1947, he came to Lahore. He did some journalistic work with Auraq-e-Nau as an editor and became editor-in-chief of the magazine Humayun in 1952. Later he was associated with Radio Pakistan, Lahore and other literary publications and organizations.

I have posted a few videos in this blog. but today I am going to present a video of Nasir Kazmi in which he recites his ghazal {Gali Gali Meri Yad Bichi Hay Piyaray Rasta Dekh K Chal. So enjoy hearing Nasir's poetry from non other that himself. Hope you will like the video.

Here you go!!

Haider Qureshi; a Well Known Urdu Poet, Writer and Jaurnalist

Haider Qureshi

Haider Qureshi (Urdu: حیدر قر یشی ), born Qureshi Ghulam Haider Arshad (Urdu: قر یشی غلا م حیدر ارشد ) on January 13, 1952 in Chenab Nagar, Punjab, is a well-known Pakistani Urdu poet, writer and journalist. His poetry is a rich colours of traditional Urdu and the local lingo. He is also researcher of "mahiya" on correct meter poetry methods. He has written several poetry and prose books and many articles.

Haider Qureshi was born on January 13, 1952 in Chenab Nagar, Punjab, Pakistan in a Seraki-speaking family. His father Qureshi Ghulam Sarwar belonged to Khanpur, Rahim Yar Khan. When he was still a child, he started to write his own verses. After finishing secondary education in 1968, he wrote his first romantic story. At the time he was also working at a sugar mill. Later he obtained his Master of Arts (M.A.) in Urdu literature in 1976. He wrote his first ghazal in 1971 which published in a weekly magazine Lahore. He has visited several countries.

Ghazal by Haider Qureshi

Haider Qureshi was a active member of literary circles in Khanpur. His five publications are related to anthologies of ghazal, nazm and mahiya. His short stories, pen sketches, inshaiya (light essays), a travelog of his pilgrimage to Mecca and a recently published literary journal titled "Umre-La ' haasil ka Haasil" (The outcome of futile life) are ample proof of his being a prolific writer while living in Germany. He is a strong supporter of Urdu mahiya and has been praised for his work on mahiya and also criticized in the poetry circles.

He is the editor of the literary Urdu magazine Jadeed Adab, which is published both online and in print. It was first launched from Khanpur in 1978, and later from Germany. Haider Qureshi's poetry has been translated into English, Arabic, German and Turkish. At the University of Bahawalpur in Pakistan, a student has written a research thesis on him for his master of arts degree, and a PhD thesis has been written on Qureshi and on his literary work by a student at Gulbarga University of Karnataka, India.

Book by Haider Qureshi

Haider Qureshi is playing the active role in literary activities and he also participated actively in the literary circles of Khanpur to unmask fake poets. He is still an open enemy of pseudo-poets.

Most of his literar work comprises in the book Umr-e-Lahaasil Ka Haasil, a Kulliyat of poetry and prose.

Poetry:

• Umr-e-Lahaasil Ka Haasil (The Outcome of Futile Life) - Education Publications House Delhi, India. 2009

• Sulgate Khaab - Tajdeed Ishaat Ghar Lahore, Islamabad, Pakistan. 1996

• Umr-e-Gurezaan - Tajdeed Ishaat Ghar Lahore, Islamabad, Pakistan. 1996

• Mohabbat ke Phool - Nayab Publications Lahore. 1997

• Ghazalien, Nazmein, Mahiye - Sarwar Adabi academy, Germany. 1998

Meri Muhabbatain by Haider Qureshi

Prose:

• Roshani ki Bisharat - Tajdeed Ishaat Ghar Lahore, Islamabad. 199

• Afsaane - Mayaar Publications Delhi, India. 1999

• Atmi Jang - Mayaar Publications Delhi, India. 1996

• Main Intezaar kerta hoon - Sahitia Bharat, Delhi, India. 1999

• Meri Mohabbatein - Mayaar Publications Delhi, India. 1996–1998

• Soo-e-Hejaaz - Mayaar Publications Delhi, India. 2000–2004

Research and critics books:

• Dr. Wazir Agha ahad saaz shakhshiyat - Nayab Publications Khan Pur, Pakistan. 1995

• Urdu mein mahiya nigari - Farhad Publications Rawalpindi, Pakistan. 1999

• Urdu mahiye ke bani Himmat Rai Sharma - Mayaar Publications Delhi, India. 1999

Dr. Anwar Zahidi; a Well known Urdu Poet, Short Story and Travelogue Writer

Dr. Anwar Zahidi

Anwer Zahidi (Urdu: انور زاہدی )(born July 9, 1946) is a Pakistani Urdu author of more than twelve books of poetry, short stories, travelogue and translations. After completing his graduation in science from Punjab University, Anwer Zahidi received a degree of MBBS from Nishtar Medical College, Multan in 1970.

A practicing physician by profession, Anwer Zahidi has carved out a place for himself in the world of letters. He is a short story writer, a poet and translator. His collection of verse Sunaehre Dinon Ki Shairi (Poetry of the Golden Days—1985) was followed by Azab-e Shaher Panah (The Torture of the Ramparts) collection of short stories, in 1991. New collection of poems Meri Aankhen Samadar and short stories Mausam Jang Ka Kahani Muhabbat Ki are under publication.

Dr. Anwar Zahidi

Dr. Zahidi is not only a creative writer but also a literary critic. His collection of critical writings on the world's great literary figures, called Bazyaft, has just been completed. Zahidi has also made a name for himself as a translator. His knowledge of Persian, which he mastered during three-year stay in Iran, is of invaluable assistance to him in his translations from Persian. 

He also translated Hermann Hesse in Barishon Ka Mausam (The Rainy Season) and Carl Jung's Psychology of the Unconscious for the National Language Authority. Besides these highly technical books he has also translated Arabic, Turkish and Latin American literary masterpieces. One of his masterpieces in the field of translation is Pablo Neruda's autobiography, which is certainly an invaluable addition to Urdu letters.

Poem by Dr. Anwar Zahidi

Mumtaz Mufti, one of the leading literary figures in Pakistan, entitled his review of Anwer Zahidi’s literary work, “Part-time poet” - implying that this work was somehow secondary to his principle vocation of a physician at a leading hospital in Islamabad. In fact, “Full-time poet and part-time doctor” would have been more accurate. Since graduation from Nishtar Medical College, Multan (University of Punjab) in 1970, he has practiced medicine, first in the military (1971–73), then as a private practitioner (1973–76), and subsequently in public hospitals in two countries, Iran (1976–80) and Pakistan (1980 to date). Yet, ever since 1968, when one of his poems got published in a reputed Urdu magazine, Nairang-e-Khyal, literature has been his primary occupation.

Exposure to great Western literature - in English translations – led him to an interest in translating favorite pieces from English into Urdu. Over time, Anwer zahidi has translated some of the greatest writers of various languages into Urdu. These include Tolstoy, Hesse, Neruda, Dickens, and Pessoa. From Western literature he moved gradually towards other great writers including the Kirghiz epic poet, Manas, and most importantly modern Persian poets like Neema Yosheej, Ahmad Shamlo, and Frogh Furrukhzad. Translating Iranian poetry (directly from Persian) into Urdu was enormously edifying. These writers are the pioneers of the new literary movement of Iran; they have broken the metric rigidity of the traditional Persian Ghazal and revolutionized its poetic vision, and have had a deep impact upon the literary movements in the sub-continent. The study of contemporary Persian literature completely revolutionized his poetic diction, including the infusion of elements of rebellion in early romantic formulas.

Anwar Zahidi

Although Anwer Zahidi is known in South Asia primarily as a “modern” poet (Nazam-e-Azad), some of his most intense work is in the genre of abstract short stories. They enable a mode of expression that is difficult to incorporate into the poetic structure. Reflecting the nature of injustice and absurdity in contemporary existence, these short stories tend to take an acrid view of life. 

Prose writing also led him into translations of prose and non-fiction, including memoirs (Neruda) essays (Hesse), psychology (Jung).

Anwar Zahidi has authored about a dozen books comprising of Poetry, Short Stories Collection (Afsana) Travelogue and Translation from otherlanguages into Urdu. Some of his books are mentioned below.

Mandir Wali Gali

Fiction:

• Azab-e-Shehrpanah----1991

• Mosam Jang Ka Kahani Muhabat Ki----1996

• Mandir Wali Gali------2008

Translations:

• Dreechon Mein Hawa( Translation of modern Persian poetry)-----1985

• Barishon Ka mosam ( Translation of Herman Hesse’s poetical works)---1986

• Yadein (Translation of Pablo Neruda’ s memoirs—1996)

• Lashaoor Tak Rassai (Translation of Jung’s Approaching the Unconscious)—1996

• Manas (Translation of Krighizstan Epic poetry) --- 1997

• Pessoa Ki Nazmein (Translation of Fernando Pessoa’s poetry)---1997

• Bazyaft- (Translation of World’s ten great poets) ----2002

Travelogue:

• Duneya Kahein Jisay ( Travelogue of USA/Canada/ London & Dubai)---2005

Ehsan Sehgal; an Urdu Poet and Writer

Ehsan Sehgal

Ehsan Sehgal (Urdu: احسان سہگل), born Khawaja Ehsan Elahi Sehgal (Urdu: خواجہ احسان الہی سہگل ) on November 15, 1951, is a Pakistani Urdu poet and writer who has lived in the Netherlands since 1978. He is also a journalist and activist for democracy and the freedom of the press and of speech.

Sehgal has written a novel and several books of poetry; his articles have been published in various Urdu newspapers.

Sehgal was born in Larkana, Pakistan, in a Punjabi business family. His father, Khawaja Manzoor Elahi Sehgal, was from Pind Dadan Khan, Pakistan. Ehsan Sehgal received his elementary and secondary education in Larkana. He later moved to Karachi. He was awarded a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from University of Sindh, Hyderabad, and obtained Master of Arts Urdu (M.A.) and Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degrees from University of Karachi. He worked in several firms before he began his career in journalism. Sehgal distinguished himself as a journalist, but "unfavorable conditions" forced him to leave the country. In 1978, he sought political asylum in the Netherlands, settling in The Hague to work as a freelance journalist. He currently freelances for Urdu newspapers and magazines and online daily newspapers.

Ehsan Sehgal

Sehgal's first publication was a novel, but his next books were all collections of poetry. He writes mostly in the poetic form called Ghazal, but he has also written Rubaiyat, Nazm, Qat'aa, and Naat. He also writes in the meter called Beher.

Besides the novel and books of poetry, he published a collection of quotes and articles in 1999. In 2010, he published a collection of aphorisms in Dutch, having lived in the Netherlands for over three decades and feeling the desire to share his ideas with a Dutch audience. The book, De Wijze Weg ("The Wise Road"), was written and translated with the help of Naeem Arif.

Ehsan Sehgal has been awarded many international awards including;

• "Molana Maher-ul-Qadri Award" in 2001 from Urdu Trust London, U.K.

• "Allama Shariq Jamal Award" in 2005 from Bazm-e-Shaoor-e-Adab. Jaipur, India.

• "Faiz Ahmad Faiz Award" in 2011 from Urdu Tahreek Aalami London, U.K.

Zarb-e-Sukhan

Ehsan sehgal has contributed very beautiful material to the treasure of Urdu literature. His work can be categorized into prose and poetry. Some of his work is given below;

Novel

• Khushi Bad-e-Gham ("Happiness after Grief". Karachi: Ameen Brothers, 1968.

Poetry

• Sehr-e-Jazbat ("A City of Emotions"). Karachi: Desent Press, Shahzad Farooqi, 1972.

• Parwaz-e-Takhayyul. Karachi: Altaf, 1995.

• Andaz-e-Takhayyul. Karachi: Mesahi, 1998.

• Saz-e-Takhayyul. Karachi: Mesahi, 1999.

• Naz-e-Takhayyul. Islamabad, Karachi: Baze-Ilmo-Fun-International, 2000.

• Afkar Ki Khushboo. Islamabad, Karachi: Bazme-Ilmo-Fun-International, 2002.

• Charag-e-Dard. March 2004. Karachi, The Hague: Urdu Cultural Society, 2004.

• Zarb-e-Sukhan. Karachi, London, The Hague: Urdu Tahreek, 2009