LAHORE: Poetry tells the truth and that too in a subtle, dignified and befitting way. The feelings that need countless words to be expressed are sometimes told in a single verse in a unique way.
This is what writer and poet Javed Akhtar practically demonstrated when he crossed the Pakistan-India border on Friday to participate in Faiz Ahmad Faiz’s centennial celebrations.
When asked to share his feelings after crossing the border, Akhtar recited a verse of Faiz: “Khoon kay dhabbay dhulein gey kitni barsaton kay baad.” (How many more rains will it take to wash away the blood stains).
Bollywood veterans Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar were received by Faiz’s daughter Moneeza Hashmi, Salima Hashmi and other guests at the Pakistani side of the border.
Akhtar was dressed in traditional kurta shalwar while Azmi wore choridar pajama with her long kameez.
“Crossing the border on foot is a strange kind of experience. When you come by airplane, you have a feeling that you are in another country. Here we just walked in from Pakistan to India. This is for the first time I have crossed the border on foot. Last time, I came here was 12 years ago with the delegation of the then Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
This time, I have come to attend the centennial celebrations of Faiz Sahib and it’s a great experience to be here,” said Akhtar.
“Enroute to Lahore for Faiz Centennial,” Shabana Azmi posted on her Twitter page right before reaching the border. The Bollywood actor said that she came to Pakistan after the earthquake but this was the first time that she crossed the border on foot. She said, “Faiz Sahib has always been my favourite poet. But he was more than a poet to me. He was my father’s best friend and my uncle. I grew up reading his poetry, which always rejuvenated me”.
When asked when the two countries would overcome the distances to reach a destination of love, Akhtar replied, “Such a destination does not exist on the ground, that can be measured in terms of distance. That destination is in minds and one can reach it in a few seconds or sometimes can’t make to it in years”.
Speaking about Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Akhtar said that the poet was not only an asset of the subcontinent but of the whole world, “People across the world read and love Faiz Sahib. Different activities are being organised throughout the world to celebrate his 100th birthday. In India, several people are organising Faiz Sahib’s centennial celebrations. Indian People’s Theater Association in Mumbai has organised a function to commemorate Faiz on February 14 and we will leave to attend that function there after attending the celebrations here.”
The arrival of Akhtar and Azmi also witnessed some emotional moments. Both the celebrities had tears in their eyes while meeting their hosts. During their stay in Lahore, Akhtar and Azmi will attend several events including a ghazal night and an international mushaira. Faiz Foundation Trust has also organised an evening with Azmi, who will recite poetic verses of Faiz with Tina Sani.
Other than the duo, several other prominent guests from India are also in Lahore to attend centennial celebrations, of the poet, which will continue till February 13.
Complementing the celebrations, Tina Sani also launched her latest album titled after Faiz’s poem Bahar Aai on Thursday. The album features Faiz’s poetry. Talking about the legendary poet, Sani said, “I have known Faiz through his poetry. Though I never had a chance to meet him, his works tell a great deal about his personality.
Faiz’s daughter and the chairperson of Faiz Foundation, Salima Hashmi said, “My father’s centennial is not being celebrated in Pakistan alone. Ceremonies are being arranged in different counties of the world and we have been receiving a massive amount of emails and phone calls.”
“Some people from Swat have also contacted us. They claim that they have discovered Faiz’s documents like his letters sent during his imprisonment,” said Hashmi.
Source:The Express Tribune, February 12th, 2011.
This is what writer and poet Javed Akhtar practically demonstrated when he crossed the Pakistan-India border on Friday to participate in Faiz Ahmad Faiz’s centennial celebrations.
When asked to share his feelings after crossing the border, Akhtar recited a verse of Faiz: “Khoon kay dhabbay dhulein gey kitni barsaton kay baad.” (How many more rains will it take to wash away the blood stains).
Bollywood veterans Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar were received by Faiz’s daughter Moneeza Hashmi, Salima Hashmi and other guests at the Pakistani side of the border.
Akhtar was dressed in traditional kurta shalwar while Azmi wore choridar pajama with her long kameez.
“Crossing the border on foot is a strange kind of experience. When you come by airplane, you have a feeling that you are in another country. Here we just walked in from Pakistan to India. This is for the first time I have crossed the border on foot. Last time, I came here was 12 years ago with the delegation of the then Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
This time, I have come to attend the centennial celebrations of Faiz Sahib and it’s a great experience to be here,” said Akhtar.
“Enroute to Lahore for Faiz Centennial,” Shabana Azmi posted on her Twitter page right before reaching the border. The Bollywood actor said that she came to Pakistan after the earthquake but this was the first time that she crossed the border on foot. She said, “Faiz Sahib has always been my favourite poet. But he was more than a poet to me. He was my father’s best friend and my uncle. I grew up reading his poetry, which always rejuvenated me”.
When asked when the two countries would overcome the distances to reach a destination of love, Akhtar replied, “Such a destination does not exist on the ground, that can be measured in terms of distance. That destination is in minds and one can reach it in a few seconds or sometimes can’t make to it in years”.
Speaking about Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Akhtar said that the poet was not only an asset of the subcontinent but of the whole world, “People across the world read and love Faiz Sahib. Different activities are being organised throughout the world to celebrate his 100th birthday. In India, several people are organising Faiz Sahib’s centennial celebrations. Indian People’s Theater Association in Mumbai has organised a function to commemorate Faiz on February 14 and we will leave to attend that function there after attending the celebrations here.”
The arrival of Akhtar and Azmi also witnessed some emotional moments. Both the celebrities had tears in their eyes while meeting their hosts. During their stay in Lahore, Akhtar and Azmi will attend several events including a ghazal night and an international mushaira. Faiz Foundation Trust has also organised an evening with Azmi, who will recite poetic verses of Faiz with Tina Sani.
Other than the duo, several other prominent guests from India are also in Lahore to attend centennial celebrations, of the poet, which will continue till February 13.
Complementing the celebrations, Tina Sani also launched her latest album titled after Faiz’s poem Bahar Aai on Thursday. The album features Faiz’s poetry. Talking about the legendary poet, Sani said, “I have known Faiz through his poetry. Though I never had a chance to meet him, his works tell a great deal about his personality.
Faiz’s daughter and the chairperson of Faiz Foundation, Salima Hashmi said, “My father’s centennial is not being celebrated in Pakistan alone. Ceremonies are being arranged in different counties of the world and we have been receiving a massive amount of emails and phone calls.”
“Some people from Swat have also contacted us. They claim that they have discovered Faiz’s documents like his letters sent during his imprisonment,” said Hashmi.
Source:The Express Tribune, February 12th, 2011.
