Main Bekhayali Mein Sang Tere... Book Launch Event

Main Bekhayali Mein Sang Tere... Book Launch Event

Evening of July 29, 2016 (Friday) was super special. In this supremely romantic season of love & rain, a rainfall of an altogether different genre was expected in Rawalpindi at heart of cultural & literary activities Arts Council, where debut poetry book of poet/ film & literature critic Shahbaz Ali Naqvi "Main Bekhayali Mein Sang Tere was to be launched.

The much anticipated ceremony was conducted under the prestigious banner of Harf Academy Pakistan. Internationally acclaimed poetess Ms Fakhira Batool was invited as a guest of honour & the ceremony was presided by the veteran poet Mr. Aftab Zia.

Event witnessed who’s who of the field of literature & several famous poets & writers graced the event with their presence. To name a few, chairman Harf Academy Mr. Col. Maqbool Hussain, poetess of unique style Ms. Kiran Rubab Naqvi, senior poets Mr. Wafa Chishti, Bashir Ranjha, Qazi Zaheer Ahmed, Mazhar Aslam and many other big names were also present there.

All of these seniors encouraged the young poet & welcomed him in a very beautiful manner. Ms. Fakhira Batool highlighted the point that Shahbaz Ali Naqvi is not a newcomer in the field. He has the poetry in the genes as the grandfather of Shahbaz (Mr. Syed Ameer Ahmed Shah late) was a renowned poet of this region. She further added that I almost got astonished by some of his Ghazals as Shahbaz has that rare tendency to explain complex phenomenon in a simple style and that too in the small behar, which is not at all an easy task to do as a poet.

Mr. Mazhar Aslam moved a step ahead and presented a poem written exclusively for the event to welcome Shahbaz in the field practically. Mr. Wafa Chishti said, I have observed that poet (Shahbaz) has romance as well as pictures of deep life experiences in his words.

Mr. Col. Maqbool Hussain further encouraged Shahbaz by saying that I have found several very high standard couplets in the referred book. Mr. Qazi Zaheer said that Shahbaz has passed the litmus test as far as my own thinking approach is concerned.

Meanwhile Mr. Irfan Khani (stage secretory) invited Shahbaz to say something on the book. Shahbaz gave the little cameo just in his very own care free style. He started with Kalaam Her Dosti ka Mehwar o Markaz Qadeer hai. He also read a couple of Ghazals and few poems including A Love Ballad For her & Raqs e Majzoob from his book.

At the end of the ceremony, Mr. Aftab Zia took up the stage & categorically acknowledged that by far this book from the young lad is much better than many others.

The event was a super success and several local newspapers including Nawa e Waqt, Jinnah, Jehan Pakistan & others reported on the very next day. It was also covered by the TV channel 92 News HD.

Few of the memorable moments of the event are depicted in below pictures:

Piyal Saaz (Aeymal Raza) Episode 2- Novel review by Shoby

Piyal Saaz (Aymal Raza) Episode 2- Novel review by Shoby

Without any further ado, lets get straight to the content of second episode of Pyal Saaz. Basil is surely in love with the snow-white (Zimel). Looks like the story will move towards Pakistan as Yashaar has suggested Zimel to arrange a visit for Zyan to the graves of his elders. It may help him getting over this psychological ailment. And story has definitely moved to Pakistan as Zimel has started her journey to he the roots.

Near the water pound, she is still waiting for the epic justice to be done. Qudrat ishara dey ker phir insaaf ka khoon kiyo ker deti hai??? That old existent has the capability to produce Fidgety in the nature. But when will the eternal solid justice be made??? 

Mission to gather the mandatory information regarding Zyan's past has lead Zimel to know that Zyan's father died in his youth where his mother was considered not good morally in the society. Some truths are difficult to swallow, some pasts are laborious to digest. 

In all this hectic & tiresome routine, this man Basil is a breather for her. She visits Nigaar Khana. Here I want you guys to stop for a second to get my very personal opinion about the character of Nano (grand mother of Basil & Yashaar). Whatever I have read & observed about Nano till yet, I consider her as that one fairy tale character which has the charm to spell cast the readers. Although, not yet revealed yet, she will definitely come out as a saviour in the upcoming episodes. 

Well Basil knows how to melt the ice through the conversational gimmickry. What a way to persuade the elders :-) Aap to mohabbat se bejaan chezon mein jaan daal deti hain nano... Woh to phir aik jeeti jagti larki hai.

Down the memory lane, from the clan of That "Khamaj", The Kalavati, raga that is most suitable to be played in the midnight is creating a dreamy aura. Nigaar has refused to marry Zyan and it has made her mother & brother furious. The only ray of Hope, Hassan has decided to move to USA as he has got the opportunity to work with Aalams. What will Nigar do now... 

Us ki mohabbat munh dikhai ke us sikey se mushaabey thi, jisey larki sari zindagi seeney se lagaey rakhti hai... Or jab usey istemal karney ka waqt ata hai to pata chalta hai ke woh sikka to asal mein khota tha. Aymal sums it all... An excellent depiction of what a dishonest relationship feels to you.

Nigar discloses to her father about whatever happened between her & Zeyn and her father rejects the proposal, which has made Zeyan & her mother furious. Her father met (apparently a planted) accident & aftermath of the same compelled Nigaar to say yes to the proposal of Zeyan. 

Coming to the current time period, Basil proposes Zimel in a damn awesomely romantic style, however she needs some time to decide (apparently, its a yes).

Episode ends with a high voltage drama. Zeyan divorces Nigaar, shattering all the dreams of a newly wed.

Good thing about Piyal Saaz is that this story is moving ahead quite fast and incidents are occurring in a pacey way. Aymal is trying to keep the audience intact by making the things move so quickly. Most probably it is an affair of a few more episodes that we shall come to the closing of the tale.

Talking about specifically this episode, a few things are worth mentioning here. Especially the scene featuring the perished Nigaar witnessing spider cobweb. What an excellent portrayal of grief & hopelessness in mere few lines. I thoroughly enjoyed the use of Kalavati Raga and I hope same sort of diverse writing pieces will be seen in coming episodes.

Before Piyal Saaz, I have read only one novel by Aemal Raza i.e. Taveez e Hub and that novel strike the right chord. Each episode of that novel was all upon me primarily due to the high dosage of philosophical themes embedded within. Unfortunately we have not yet witnessed that mastery from the lines of Aymal in this novel. But I still have huge hopes from her writing and I firmly believe she will bring in the unique discussions of various other metaphysical aspect in the writing.

Borshay (Sumaira Hameed)- Novel Review by Shoby

Borshay (Sumaira Hameed)- Novel Review by Shoby

As I stated earlier while reviewing RAB ul Bashar, its mandatory for Sumaira Hameed's writings to have a title that has the ability to not only move you but to make you think and think deep. Honestly before even starting the novel, I kept wondering, now where did this term "Borshay" came from and then all of a sudden someone whispered in my mind, If Hamlin of Germany can witness Pied Piper with a pipe to lure the creatures, Sumaira Hameed has all the liberty to acquaint us with "Marya" who used to lure glow worms through her very own unique musical instrument which she used to call "Borshay". Should I call her the female version of Pied Piper??? Lets explore the new novel Borshay to know more about it.

This (kind of a) fairy tale is based in 18th century Ireland where Mr. Oscar (the wannabe painter) is shown to be travelling from within the woods in a typical Irish winter night. It is said that night is dense as it comes with deep dark secrets embedded within. Mr. Oscar has left the home to prove his mettle in the said art but fortune has some other plans as another genre of art has line-crossed him.

Oscar heard sounds of some unique musical instrument and this diversion in attention costs him to meet a mild accident. Forget the accident and focus on the bigger canvas. he happens to meet Marya, the queen of pulchritude who has the magical ability to entice the glow worms to dance on her melodies sprinkled through a unique musical instrument that her father has developed and named as Borshay.

Oscar is stunned with the harmony & synchronization among the girl, the instrument's melodies & the dance of glow worms, however he assumes her a witch who has spell caste the whole jungle. Considering the same he grabs her to ask about her reality and then... Kuch baaton ka idraak aadhi raat ko jungle mein baghi se gir ker jadugarni ka haath pakar ker hi hota hai... He gives the mysterious beauty a name- Ms. Light Bug... :-) Cupid is all set to throw the arrow here...

He meets her the next night and this time its Marya who destroys his art which happened to be the painting of Marya herself & he made it unintentionally. But who cares when he can have the once in a blue moon opportunity to witness live dance of glow worms and that too which can be emerged from the unique melodies of Borshay, played by this damn awesome beauty.

Mr. Oscar is truly madly deeply in love with this Borshay... Borshay or Marya, the time will tell. Anyways, he is so busy in his Borshay loving routine that he has almost forgotten what his primary objective was. He no longer remembers that he came here to showcase the best of his painting talent.

Now he wants Marya to play Borshay for him but she refutes, in fact after getting irritated, she hands over the instrument to him so that he can play it himself. Later on, when Marya asks him to return Borshay, he repudiates to give it there and sends him a message to play it in jungle for him, if she wants the Borshay back. An extremely romantic cum heated discussion makes the scene one hell of an affair. Check the conversation:

Marya: Mujhey Intezar kerney ki adat nahi hai, mera Borshay kahan hai?

Oscar: Mujhey intezar ki adat hai. mere jugnu kahan hain?

Marya: Woh mere jugnu hain.. Sirf mere...

Oscar: Main tumhari aknkhon ke jugnuon ki baat ker raha hoon.

They say love changes you to the moon & back and same happens with Oscar. Even his relationship with his father is getting much better. Meanwhile Marya visits Ireland and feels some sort of inferiority complex. On the eve of new year, Oscar & Josephine compels Marya to show off the magic prowess of her Borshay which she unwillingly does and then what happens afterward makes the whole premises of the story crystal clear. Lights blew up & with the lightening of fire, glow worms gets burnt. And Marya gets furious & rightly so. After all she considers one of these glow worms as the remains of her father. And then Marya leaves the celebrations, Mr. Oscar & most importantly The Borshay.

Marya leaves not only Oscar but everyone else and goes back to Italy where her mother resides with her family. Oscar goes in search of her & starts playing Borshay in the same woods where he met Marya.

While in search of Marya, Oscar starts playing Borshay & a time came when he played it with such honesty & authenticity that people of Italy started knowing him by the name of Borshay & not Oscar. (Ranjha Ranjha kardi ni main apey ranjha hui... Ranjha Ranjha saddo ni, menu heer na aakho koi)...

And then one day he was so indulged in playing Borshay that he didn't even noticed that fire has caught him & he got burnt, however with luck, he remained alive and then after so many days, he met once again with Marya along with the Borshay... And the story of Borshay, Marya & Oscar keeps going on...

Mohabbat kabhi laut ker nahi ati... Kiyo ke woh kabhi chor ker nahi jati...

First thing first, Borshay is not an easy read for the audience who has the habit of reading normal Saas-Bahu stuff. Its unique not only by the subject matter but also with the treatment of the author. Its now a hallmark of Sumaira that whatever she writes, she chooses a different domain altogether.

Borshay has the feel of those beautiful fictional tales that has been part of our bed time stories for long. I believe it is one such literary piece that may equally be enjoyed by the early-teenagers even younger kids too. Marya Khirki ke rastey apney kamrey mein kood gai... Sumaira gives us a sweet taste of those epic fantasies that were till date proud of only foreign literature like Rapunzel.

If it is Sumaira, it has to be a heavy dose of some not-yet heard monologues spree here. Sumaira punches a master stroke by saying Agar woh aisey hi rang badalti rahi to Oscar ko apni painting ke liye kuch rang us se bhi udhaar leney parey ge. Ah... Sweet... Bravo....

Sumaira never gets shy in writing some real subject oriented lines. Rang sab hi achey hotey hain... Bura to inhain ghalat stroke ker detey hain... Yes, it is the real mantra of life that is conveyed by Sumaira so beautifully in these lines. Hum sab hi mohabbat karney waley humdard insan hotey hain, us waqt tak jab tak humari mohabbat or humdardi ka imtehan na ley liya jaey.

While reading Borshay, it reminded me of few other celebrated stuff as well. Especially the initial scenes when Oscar & Marya meets in nights were too close to Fyodor Dostoyevsky's White Nights. Kudos to Sumaira for keeping up her own unique style while telling this story in such a way that it can easily be placed in front of the global audience.

It seems like Sumaira Hameed has so much to say, so much to express and these few pages are mere a reflection of what she is really capable of. Although I leave it to the author but still I firmly believe that stories like Borshay are so broad that they can easily be converted into an episodic material.

Although somewhere in the middle, its a bit hard to focus on the on-goings as the finale to come is a bit as-expected sort of proceeding but still Sumaira's different writing style keeps you hooked up with the story till the very end. I am happy that Sumaira has once again took the challange of trying something very different which is usually not tried by our authors today. The reality is none of our today's Urdu digest author has tried this genre in particular. 10 on 10 for Sumaira for attempting this one.

At the end, I just want to quote one monologue, that is my personal favorite from Borshay,

Mohabbat ehtamam hi chahti hai... Iltaja to mangney walon ka shewa hai. Ilteja to unhain darkar hoti hai jinhain ksii cheez ki zarurat ho... Mohabbat mein zarurat kahan reh jati hai...

Ms. Sumaira Hameed's comments on my review...

Namal (Episode 24)- Review by Shoby

Namal (Episode 24)- Review by Shoby

Whenever I read There, I Still Will Be, poem from the award winning poetess Mirtha Michelle, it always reminds me of Mohabbat Ki Adhoori Nazm by Amjad Islam Amjad sb. Although written in different languages, the eccentric essence & flow of both these poems (i.e. There, I Still Will Be & Mohabbat Ki Adhoori Nazm) is almost identical. Check how these two have that amazing indistinguishable harmony when it comes to the symphony part of these poetic pieces:

Mirtha Michelle writes:

I gave you the sun 

But you wanted the moon.

When I gave you the moon, 

You wanted the stars.

So I reached blindly, 

for the most infinite stars, 

And wrapped myself 

Around each one of them, 

Just for you.

The stars, 

the moon and the sun combined, 

Weren't enough for your fickle heart.

So I took my tears, 

And made you a sea, 

So you can sail the earth 

And find the impossible treasure... (There, I Still Will Be)

And Amjad sb says:

Agar sitaroo’n mein, Aus khatroo’n mein, khushboo’n mein na pao mujh ko,

To apney khadmoo’n mey dekh lena,

Main gard hoti musafatoo’n mey tumhey miloo’n ga... (Mohabbat ki Adhuri Nazm)

Let me tell you one thing about There, I Still Will Be... This poem is all about going an extra mile for your loved one. The level of sacrifice and the state of being a complete giver depicted here is simply superb. It tells us how one should always be ready to present almost everything for someone we love from the heart. And one more thing, its not about give or take, when it comes to love. Rather, its about giving without any expectation... Without any anticipation... and perhaps this was the reason why Nemrah Ahmed started this episode of Namal from this poem.

Tootey Taarey ka Dil takes the first frame from my favourite place. Yes you guessed it right #FoodlyEverAfter Faris is away (most probably for Aabdar) leaving the sleeping beauty (Zumer) behind. Ahmer has successfully gained Hashim's confidence and Hashim has successfully gathered almost all the evidences to prove Sadi a terrorist. Question remains who is willing to help Hashim in this regard and most importantly WHY???

Drop-scene of Aabdar's suicide episode is here. Faris thinks its a cheap luring gimmick as she was just faking her suicidal attempt, however he was wrong. But one thing highlighted by Aabi here is quite an interesting challenge for Faris, Woh (Zumer) tumharey liye Faris Ghazi, Aisa kabhi nahi karey gi.

At Morchaal, I humbly request the beauty (Haseena) not to practically implement what she was hinking to do (Zehar waley Parathey for Sadi). Nevertheless we have come across a safe & sound Sadi after whole lot adventure & drama :p

Sadi wants to leave the home & Zumer stops him doing so. Much valid arguments presented by Zumer. Kisi ko tumhari zarurat nahi Sadi magar mohabbat ke tehet... And an honest attempt by Zumer succeeds as Sadi says, Main kahi nahi ja raha. Mujhey kahin nahi jana.

Kahan gaey they is a typical Non- Zumerish style of question, considering she was questioning Faris whereas Teesri bivi ke paas is a typical Faris style of response :p ha ha ha

Due to the video controversy, apparently a small rift is visibly growing up & converting into a bigger issue between Haroon Ubaid & Jawahiraat. At times I feel I am watching a high voltage melodrama where every character is blackmailing every other character (either with some good or bad motive). This time its Hanna blackmailing Ahmer and asking him to cease the phone tapping, as she knows the reality behind Sultan Bangash.

As things are moving ahead, somewhere heart is getting broken (Sadi), on the other side broken hearts are getting healed (Faris). A very true description of how this world operates. At one place, celebrations are on & people are happy, whereas somewhere someone is mourning.

So my Shobywood is getting popular day by day, assuming that Faris has already read the movie review (may be at my blog) :p ;-)

I believe Hanna has done the right thing by disclosing her alleged affair with Hashim in front of Faris but she has delayed the confession... May be a little bit delay but still its good.

Breaking News- Nosherwaan Kardaar has been arrested by cops on account of an alleged murder & then kidnap of Sadi Yousaf iand the referred scene is witnessed & clicked by many present there, which later on became viral on internet & TV channels. This will provide a serious dent to Kardaar's goodwill & their depreciating stocks are showing the same. 

Can you believe it. I mean it is ridiculous. Haroon Ubaid has proposed Zumer that he can persuade Hashim to let the hearing be conducted in a smooth way and as a favour, he wants Zumer to leave Faris. Jo mera hai, woh mera hi rahey ga... Perfect response from an almost perfect loving wife. Thumbs up.

Once again a scene featuring court of justice is showcased in Namal but Thanks GOD this time culprit is different- The Nosherwan Kardaar. Hashim wants to counter Sheru's arrest by enhancing some social activities. However Sheru is sent to jail. Sadi asks Sara to be a witness in the case and Hashim asks Col Khawar to assist him & work for him again. Although Sadi has already asked him to repent by helping him but who cares...

So it is revealed here that Col Khawar was not called by Hashim. In fact, he received a planted call by Ahmer Shafi and Ahmer is not doing it only for Kardaars. He is taking a revenge. Ahmer is Sultan Bangash son of the Brig. who was murdered along with his family by Col Khawar. And after revealing some more unheard sins committed by Kardaars, Ahmer puts an end to the story of Col. Khawar.

Nemrah uses such a discreet yet relatable example of wall paint to create a warm & emotional scene of a typical siblings reunion. Sadi, Hanna and Sam are one-game now.

Just imagine Jawahiraat without make-over and that too after 24-hours... What an idea by Hanna... Ha ha ha :-)

Case hearing has started and Sheru gets bail citing the reason that he was attacked in the jail premises.

At times I feel the world of Namal is like a tale of Alif-Laila where characters are magicians and they all can get the most difficult of the stuff done by mere a simiple charm or a magical trick. Faris presents journalist Jilani a bag full of CDs, where recordings of his misdeeds are saved. What else is required to persuade him to interview Sadi. (Alif-Laila ha ha ha).

Food for thought this time: Or phir kon hai jo insano ko andheron se nikaal sakta hai, rasta bata sakta hai... Siwaey ALLAH ke. Yes, the only SAVIOR the true SOVEREIGN is only HE- ALLAH.

Well the scene featuring Zumer & Faris is stunning. Zumer has chosen being herself. She will lead the way as she used to deal with other matters. And we all know, Zumer is capable of doing so.

Dr. Aeman, whose hospital was burnt by Faris Ghazi, was the one who was trying to assist Hashim. Revenge has a new shape now.

I am afraid this episode was somewhat mediocre as compared to a few earlier episodes. The overall impact of this one was not so grand as per norms of Namal and it lacked the power & thrill that was the hallmark of other episodes of Namal. However ew pros of the episodes like advancement in the story in terms of Sheru's arrest & rift between Jawahiraat & Haroon have made it easy to make the things work.