In Conversation with Fakhira Batool- Exclusive Interview with Shoby

In Conversation with Fakhira Batool- Exclusive Interview with Shoby

Our national language Urdu has been fortunate enough to witness legends in writing. We have seen writers who have given us classics both in poetry & prose. I personally believe this space is not enough to name all of those icons that have given so much to this language. However sort of a dilemma is that we have not seen much visibility of female writers and therefore only few of the names come to our mind when we talk about Urdu female writers.

Fakhira Batool Naqvi, person behind the epic romantic poem "Tum Mere Kiya Ho" is one of those very few female writers who has made her presence felt in the literary society by portraying diverse emotions in an altogether different manner. Although our national Govt is not giving due share of credit to our icons but international arena respects the talent. Fakhira Batool is the only Pakistani writer who has been honored with two international awards from the literary societies of Albania & China for her work in the field of literature. Translated version of her poem “Suicide” won her Frang Bardhi Literary Award in 2014 and The International Poetry Translation and Research Center (IPTRC) China awarded her for her outstanding work in literature in 2013. It is a distinctive feather on her cap that she is the only female writer who has been honored on such a grand global scale in the world.

On her credit, there are 17 Urdu language books with a mix of her own poetry, collection of poetry of other legends of the business, book based on current affairs related columns and a book dedicated to children's comprising rhymes & poems. It is pertinent to mention here that she is by far the only female Urdu writer in the whole planet who has written a book dedicated to conversational genre (Mukalmati Shairy) and a book for children (Bachey Sarey Sachey). She is the only female writer of Pakistan who has come up with a dedicated book on satirical comedy titled Shar-Aadaten. Here's listing her all books which have been published till date:

1. Palken Bheegi Bheegi Si 2. Chand Ne Badal Orh Lya 3. Kaho Woh Chand Kesa Tha? 4. Ab Bhary Shahr Mein Mujhay Dhoondo 5. Samandar Poochta Ho Ga 6. Door Mat Nikal Jana 7. Bhula Dia Na...? 8. Ghulab Khushboo Bana Gaya Hai 9. Mohabbat Ki Nahein Tum Ne 10. Mohabbat Khas Tohfa Hai 11. Dasht e Tanhai Mein 12. Shar Aadatein (Tanz o Mizah) 13. Tumhein Ham Yad Aaeyen Gey 14. Sargoshi (Columns) 15. Bachey Sarey Sachey 16. Usey Roktey Bhi To Kis Liye 17. HUSSAIN (asws) fateh Hai Karbala Ka

It is an achievement of Shobywood that for the first time ever, we are presenting her interview in English language for our Pakistani as well as global followers. Although she has stopped giving interviews, however when we approached her for an exclusive interview for Shobywood, she was kind enough to accept the request. Bundle of thanks is not enough for her kind gesture. Now without any further ado, let’s read her conversation exclusively made with us.

Note: SW presents Shobywood and FB depicts Fakhira Batool

SW: Maam, please tell us about how you started poetry. FB: Poetry is in our blood. Our ancestors have been bestowed by ALLAH in the form of this art. My grandfather (Dada) Syed Yousaf Ali Naqvi wrote several religious books. My grandfather (Nana) Syed Ameer Ahmed Shah Bukhari was a scholar as well as seasoned poet of this Potohar region, who used to write in multiple languages primarily in Urdu, Punjabi, Potohari (a dialect of Punjabi), and Persian etc. So it is valid to state that poetry breathes in our genes. Same is the case with me.

SW: So, I should better rephrase my question. How you thought about making it public. FB: There was an inter colleges poetry competition and one of our teachers who knew that I could write asked me to write something on the topic of Mazdoor (Labor). So I hold the pen and wrote a satirical comedy on the life events of a labor. It got clicked and we even won the competition. From then onwards, the journey started and Alhamdo LILLAH, it is going on till date.

SW: Maam, we have seen many people who are not born poets but still they try to write by copying others but they cannot be successful. Do you think poetry can be learnt? FB: Poetry is a natural art and it is like one single equation you are a poet or you are not a poet at all. It can never be learnt. This is why those who copies others do not survive long.

SW: People say that you are a poetess who knows the real ingredients of writing a perfect romance. What is your take on it? FB: Being honest, whatever I write, it always has that emotional agony & warmth which the reader gets to feel. Love can never be perfect in its totality. Therefore, romantic poetry always possess the feel of incompleteness in it. This is why it is almost impossible to define the term “perfect romance”.

SW: Who are your favorite poets? FB”: Ghalib sb, Faiz sb, Muneer Niazi sb, Jaun Elias sb. They all are my favorites.

SW: What do you enjoy writing most. Ghazals or Nazm (poems)? FB: Alhamdo LILLAH poetry comes like a dream to me and it is safe to say that by the Grace of Almight I can easily write any sort of poetry (ghazals & nazm both).

SW: Maam, we have heard that you have presented Pakistan in the global arena as well. FB: Yes, you are right. Alhamdo LILLAH, I was invited in UAE (Dubai), Qatar and England for various mushira and I presented Pakistan. Artists are the symbol of peace, love any unity and this was my message wherever I went.

SW: Maam do you think a critic is mandatory for making one’s writing better? FB: Critics work as a mentor and I have always been saying that critic should do criticism of one’s art work, rather giving it a look of post mortem.

SW: Who do you think as your literary teacher? FB: I have literally not learnt poetry from anyone and whatevetr I write, it’s a blessing of ALLAH and MASOOMEEN (asws). However I consider Ghalib sb as my teacher as his poetry has always been inspirational for me.

SW: Tell us something about your first book. FB: My first poetry book was Palken Bheegi Bheegi Si and it was published way back in 1992.

SW: Maam, Our followers and your fans want to know more about your personal life. Will you please share us something about the same. FB: My husband Syed Tanveer Abbas Naqvi was also a great writer and we suffered with his unfortunate demise in 2009. Masha ALLAH, I am a mother of two and no doubt both of them are the biggest asset of my life. I cherish the relationship of mother the most.

SW: Your proudest moment of life? FB: When we went to perform Ziyaraat, especially when we performed Zeyrat of IMAM HUSSAIN (asws). I can’t describe the feelings in words. It is like I am still there and will always remain there.

SW: Maam you have been honored on global level from foreign countries twice, however unfortunately Govt of Pakistan has never recognized your efforts in the literature field. Your fans want to know, how you feel about it. FB: (With an innocent smile on her face) Its such a simple phenomenon. Look, we are living in a country where poets are applauded on the basis of their personal network & relationships inspite of their own capabilities, skill & work in Mushairas. So a place where someone is praised for his/ her relationships instead of work, how can we even think about getting honors purely on our work?

SW: Maam, Shobywood is first of its kind Pakistani blog, which is dedicated to reviews on films & literature. It also gives an insight about sports events & current affairs. Any kind words for this international blog. FB: Although I am not much fond of these tech gadgets that people of our age like to explore but still I got to read your blog. And honestly it is one of those online spaces that one gets astonished after visiting. Your critic Shoby not only highlights the positive & best aspects of a movie, he also pin points those shortcomings that makes the film look mediocre. He also advices sometime to the film makers for the betterment. I would personally like to suggest that you can make your blog even more attractive by sharing life struggle & success stories of our legends,their experiences and interviews with celebrities. So that our young generation gets to know how hard work has made them be successful.

SW: At the end, we would ask if you would like to give any message exclusively for your fans and Shobywood’s followers. FB: From this platform, I would like to thanks Shobywood and my fans for their everlasting love & support. Just one message, spread happiness so that you may also get the same in return. Thank you.

At this note, we sign out. Hope you have enjoyed reading the interview. Do tell us in comments & shahbazalinaqvi@gmail.com how you liked it.

Youwill surely enjoy reading some master pieces from her poetry, given below: