Young-children-with-their-cycles-scaled

Man gives you the award but God gives you the reward. The difference between the two is very subtle but it became clear when 200 children were given bicycles for being regular in their prayers for 40 days. Parents of the awardees as also others present at the programme held the other day were appreciative of the gesture shown by the Mimber-o-Mehrab Foundation India in recognising the sincere efforts of the kids in a novel way.

Tearing away from slumber and offering ‘Namaz-e-Fajr’ at the break of dawn is a bit difficult for most. It is all the more tough in the winter season particularly. But young boys in the age group of 7 to 15 proved that nothing is impossible provided one had the will. Braving the morning chill they attended prayers at the crack of dawn at the Masjide Alfalah in Old Malakpet from November 18 to December 27.

“I am not regular in prayers, particularly namaz-e-Fajr. But because of my son I got used to offering namaz”, remarked a man echoing the views of many others.

Children awarded cycles

At the cycle distribution programme organised at the Hi Tech Function Hall, most parents admitted that the 40 day regimen had a salubrious effect on their wards. “Earlier I used to wake up my child for namaz and now he is waking me up”, said a proud father.

The whole thing was in tune with the concept of early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. During the forty day course, children not only learned to get up early in the morning but also got a good grounding in moral values so essential in the present times, said Ghyas Ahmed Rashadi, founder, Mimber-o-Mehrab Foundation. Right from its inception two years ago, the Foundation is trying to make mosques a hub of socio-welfare activities instead of confining them to being just a place of worship.

Many children like Mujtaba Hasan waxed eloquent about the health benefits of cycling. Most persons who rose to heights of fame loved cycling. While keeping one fit, peddling the two wheels refreshed body and mind, they said. Noted ulemas, Maulana Shah Jamalur Rehman and Maulana Ahmed Obaidur Rehman reminded the children that they should offer prayers not in anticipation of any award but solely to please God who bestowed one with countless blessings.

Beaming from ear to ear, the kids rode their brand new cycles with the promise that they would be regular at school and prayers.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in NewsMeter

Dated December 31,2019

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Exhibitions are fleeting moments, nevertheless magical. In Hyderabad, however, they are a source of perennial entertainment, as New Year dawns with the biggest trade fair in tow. The much looked forward to, and most inexpensive show, Numaish, is all set to unveil on January 1.

The 80th edition of the All India Industrial Exhibition promises to provide a fun-filled experience to visitors in a secure environment. Wiser by the fire mishap that occurred last year, the Exhibition Society has spent a whopping Rs 3 crore to modernise and upgrade its fire fighting machinery. “One can go round the exhibition without any worry,” said Etela Rajender, President of Exhibition Society and Telangana Minister for Medical and Health.

Giving details of the fire safety measures, he told presspersons here on Sunday that fool-proof arrangements have been made to ensure a pleasant experience. The Exhibition Society has gone in for its fire-fighting infrastructure by creating two underground sumps of 1.50 lakh litre capacity each, with underground pipelines spread over an area of two km. As many as 80 fire hydrants, each with 30 metres flexible hose has been installed to reach every stall. Also in place are diesel-cum-electric power pumps in each sump besides fire extinguishers at every booth. Apart from this, two fire tender trucks and four fire-fighting motorcycles will be stationed. A command and control centre equipped with audio-visual and wireless communication will monitor the whole thing.

There will be just 2,000 stalls this year as against the usual 2,500. The authorities have reduced the number to create more lung space and ensure free movement for fire tenders. Stall owners will not be allowed to cook food on kerosene stove as a safety measure, Mr Rajender said.

He said they had taken care to provide auto glow signage in English, Telugu and Urdu to indicate entry and exit points. Besides, the organisers have also provided locator maps and information about the local police station, fire station and hospitals for speedy evacuation in case of emergency. In addition to the three gates, six emergency exit gates will function. About 40 persons have been trained in fire-fighting operations. There will also be a strong posse of 500 trained-personnel to handle internal security.

Despite the massive expenditure incurred by the Exhibition Society, there will be no hike in the entry ticket. It remains at Rs 30 like last year. For children below five years, entry to the exhibition will be free. For the fifth year in a row, parking will also be free for both two-wheelers and four-wheelers, according to Aditya Margam, the publicity advisor.

With just two days left for Numaish, hectic activity is on at the sprawling exhibition ground. Traders from different parts of the country are busy setting up their stalls. Apart from web streaming of the show and the usual free Wi-Fi facility, the Exhibition Society plans to surprise visitors with colourful fountains and more green space this time.

The 46-day carnival has become a part of the Hyderabad tradition, and you can’t think of the New Year without the Numaish. It is a record of sorts that the show has been held for the last 79 years without a break. Started with just 50 stalls in 1938, the ‘Numaish Masnuaat-e-Mulki’ has grown beyond the wildest dreams of its founder, the seventh Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan. It has also grown in content and coverage to assume an all India stature. That it draws visitors by the thousands daily, despite the presence of many shopping malls and multiplexes speaks of its popularity and durability.

In keeping with the tradition, the Exhibition Society has planned to hold the Ladies Day on January 7 and Children’s Day on January 31. Apart from this, the usual cultural programmes such as mushairas, well-baby show, cookery, and rangoli competitions are lined up to bedazzle visitors. Telangana Home Minister Mohammad Mahmood Ali and Minister for Animal Husbandry T Srinivas Yadav will inaugurate the exhibition at 5 pm on Wednesday.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in NewsMeter

Dated December 29,2019

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NIZAM-visits-St-Johns-Cathedral

It was a royal command that couldn’t be ignored. Coming from a maverick ruler it had to be complied with – at all costs. That explains the mortal hurry John Burton found himself in on the cold winter evening of December 24, 1950.

Burton, the royal tailor, just had an audience with the 7th Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan. He was ordered to get ready 60 overcoats and as many pants and shirts in less than six hours for the Nizam and his team to attend the midnight mass at the St. Joseph’s Cathedral at Gunfoundry in Hyderabad. A seemingly impossible task. But nobody dared defy the shahi hukum.

A tailor par excellence, Burton had made a name tailoring for the royal family and nobles. Besides the Nizams, some of his important clients included the King of Spain, the Prince of Wales, princess, maharajas, not to speak of Bollywood stars like Ashok Kumar, Dilip Kumar and Shashi Kapoor. Scottish by birth, Burton worked as a cutter with the renowned Henry Poole Company of Saville Row, London, before coming to Hyderabad in 1890. He worked for six years with Albert Abid Evans after whom the Abid road is named. Later Burton was appointed as an exclusive tailor to the Nizam.

As a royal outfitter, he had to ensure that schedules were kept, deadlines met and excellence achieved, notwithstanding the eccentric demands and short notices. Surly the tough get going as the going gets tough. Without losing any time, Burton summoned his team and set to work. His shop at Sardar Patel road was a beehive of activity with scores of tailors frantically cutting away the expensive cloth. Pieces of pants and shirts lay in different stages of stitching. Burton, pipe in hand, could be seen pushing his team to meet the deadline.

Finally, at the stroke of midnight, Osman Ali Khan along with a retinue of 60 courtiers – all dressed in spanking new black suits – stepped into the St. Joseph’s Cathedral. The man who called Hindus and Muslims his two eyes, had a soft corner for Christians as well. The clock on the Cathedral tower, the European oil painting of the Blessed Mother and Christ as a child and the chandeliers were gifted by him on February 17, 1953. The Nizam even penned a Christmas poem in Persian. Its English translation by Sir Nizamath Jung goes like this:

What was Jesus’ mission, Osman?

Ask them whom He came to guide

Gave His life for their redemption

For His flock, he gladly died!

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in NewsMeter

Dated December 25,2019

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Despite being a science student, her mastery over Urdu language and literature makes her critiques that much more authoritative, knowledgeable and enjoyable

Dr-Fatima-Parveen

The Department of Urdu, Osmania University, is unique in more than one way. It boasts of not just teachers of rare pedagogical skills but also poets and writers of international repute. Dr Fatima Begum Parveen shines bright in this star-studded galaxy. Poet, writer, critic and orator par excellence, she is a name to reckon with in the literary circles. No programme of Urdu book release is considered complete without Dr Fatima holding forth on the new publication. What she says matters a lot on the success or otherwise of the book.

Dr Fatima has emerged as a fine naqqad and made her mark in this challenging sphere largely dominated by men. Her evaluation of literary works is looked upon with awe as her criticism is not partisan or just a clever word game. Her opinion is dispassionate, fair and impartial. It is a reasoned account of the feeling aroused in her by the book she is reviewing. Sitting on judgement on a literary work requires lot of erudition, sensibility and sensitivity. And she has it in abundance. She knows the rules of the game and possesses good knowledge and refined taste to make a meaningful judgement.

Interestingly, Dr Fatima’s dalliance with literature happened much later in life when she decided to do her Master’s in Urdu from Osmania University in 1975. Her mother, Razia Begum, was a poet and has four books to her credit while her father, Syed Mohammed Ali, had a taste for literature. But, she lacked the adabi zauq and studied science instead. After completing BSc, she got admission into MSc at Warangal. But since her family moved to Hyderabad, she didn’t join the course and agreed to pursue MA Urdu at Osmania University.

“After studying science, taking interest in literature was a bit difficult,” she says.

And why not, since the two disciplines appear to be poles apart. While ‘dil’ is an important organ in human anatomy, in literature one has to cope with dard-e-dil and dard-e-jigar. Moreover, in science heart is a powerhouse of energy and in literature it is rendered frail due to separation from beloved. The contrast couldn’t be more graphic. To make matters worse, she was the only student in the class of 49 to be studying Urdu at postgraduate level. Prof Mughni Tabassum, who was the head of Urdu department, understood her difficulty and helped her overcome her diffidence.

“He gave me examples of how students with science background had done excellently in literature,” recalls Dr Fatima. But, she never imagined she would pursue literature – much less end up as a critic.

To everyone’s surprise, she came out with flying colours and secured two gold medals in MA. There was no turning back thereafter. Over the years, she has authored six books: Akhtar Ansari Ki Shayari Ka Tanqidi Mutaliya (1980), Karbe Karbala (1987), Zaveyae Nigah (2004), Deccani Adab Ka Mutaliya (2005), Classici Shayeri Ka Mutala (2009) and Nanhi Nazme (2010). The last one is a translation of the Telugu poems of Prof N Gopi, former Vice-Chancellor, Telugu University. After a gap of nine years, she came up with three books – Ashke Gham (third part), Prof. Mughni Tabassum – Aik Raushan Chiragh Tha Na Raha and Deccani Adab Ek Mutaliya in 2019.

So, what is her next venture? Well, she plans to compile the poetical works of the seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan. Presently, his poems lie scattered and not available in a single volume. “It’s a pity that no effort is made to preserve the works of the man who gave the Osmania University,” she says.

In the book on Prof Tabassum, she has done a critical analysis of her guide, mentor and ustad. She doesn’t hesitate to call spade a spade. She even expresses her frank views on the second marriage of Prof Tabassum with her classmate. However, the poet in her pays a lyrical tribute to her guru in an azad nazam.

Wo aasman tha, wo aasman hai

Wo saiban tha, wo saiban hai

Wo ek shajar tha ke jiski shaqon ke

Har qalam se

Hazaron poude jawan huye hain

Commenting on his passing away, she refuses to accept his death as in her view:

Meri nazar main

Badan ka marna nahin hai marna

Qalam hai zinda, bayan zinda

To kaise isko kahenge murda

Kitab iski abhi bhi mashal

Maqale iske hamesha roushan

Wo noor bankar hamare dil main, damag main bhi

Rahega zinda, amar rahega         


Her seminal works on Ghavasi, the poet laureate of Qutb Shahi kingdom, and Akhtar Ansari, the progressive bard known for his emotional shayeri, are considered a milestone in understanding these great poets. This apart, Dr Fatima has also done a detailed evaluation of the poetry of Amir Khusrau, Mirza Ghalib, Meer, Mirza Rafi Sauda, Shaikh Ibrahim Zauk, Deccani Qaseeda and the Marsiyas (elegiac poems) of Mir Anees and Dabeer. For research scholars as also general readers, her comprehensive study and assessment of these poets open new vistas of understanding.

Not just Urdu, Dr Fatima has good grasp of Telugu language also. She has translated Prof Gopi’s poetry collection, Naneelu, in Urdu under the title Nanhi Nazmein. She succeeds in incorporating the spirit of the new poetic form invented by Prof Gopi. Sample this verse:

Samandar ki lehron ko dekhen

Wo kitne shant nazar aate hain

Laikin iski teh main

Chupe rehte hain toofan

Over the years, Dr Fatima has evolved as a good practitioner of azad nazm. In free verse, the poet doesn’t stick to the rules of rhyme and meter. Even the lines in the poem are of unequal length. However, she takes care to maintain the inner rhythm and cadence in her verses.

Sadiyon baad pahadon se

Awaz ye aayi

Bheja hai khudrat ne tohfa usko jisne

Loota na ho sukoon kisi ka

Aage aaye aur le jaye wo apna tohfa

Sab ne dekha ek dusre ko khule sar

Gung zubanein kehne ko wahan baqi kya tha

Insan sab kutch kho hi chuka tha

A good critic needs to be a philosopher as well to know serenity, impartiality and transitoriness of life. Dr Fatima has it all. After the untimely death of her husband, Dr Majeedullah Siddiqui, she has penned some nostalgic poems which are very touching. Sample these verses:

Har rang hai be-rang sajan tere bina

Har ruth hai mere waste bekar magar

Rehna hai zamane main sajan tere bina

Jaiga nahin dard mera ab to kabhi

Pal-pal mujhe marna hai sajan tere bina

Apart from writing, Dr Fatima keeps busy delivering extension lectures all over the country. They are keenly watched for their presentation, content and powerful speech delivery. No wonder her oratorial skills have earned her the sobriquet ‘Bulbule Deccan’.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in Telangana Today

Dated December 22,2019

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Prof.-Shah-Miri

Students don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. This became evident the other day when Prof. Muzaffar Shah Miri, Vice-Chancellor, Abdul Haque University, Kurnool, was felicitated by his students. Those present were surprised to see the unique bond between the teacher and the taught, something difficult to find in this age.

The occasion was the release of four books of Prof. Shah Miri and three books of his students on his life and achievements. It was not a Teachers’ Day and yet students poured out their love and affection to their guide, philosopher and mentor.

The book Hamare Aapke Muzaffar Shah Miri by Dr Amina Afreen said it all. It gives expression to the feelings of his large circle of students. Dr Naseem Begum, a student, paid rich tributes to the pedagogical skills of Prof Shah Miri and said he did not make any difference between students but treated everyone equally. He saw unlimited possibilities in his students and went on to hone their skills. She recited a couplet, to sum up, her feelings:

Jinke kirdar se aati ho sadaqat ki mahak
Unki tadrees se pathar bhi pighal sakte hain

Another student, Dr Ghousia Banu, described Prof Shah Miri as ‘ustad-e-Azam’. “He would not compromise on quality and made his students write their doctoral thesis again and again. This was not to harass but to bring out the best in his pupil. Prof Shah Miri established a rapport with students which is beautiful, enriching and satisfying. He made average students good and the good ones superior,” she explained.

For many students, who assembled at the Media Plus auditorium in Hyderabad, a teacher like Prof Shah Miri was hard to find, difficult to part with and impossible to forget. They recalled how he opened their minds and touched their hearts with his teaching methodology. An overwhelmed Prof Shah Miri didn’t speak. But his broad smiles seemed to say it’s the students who make the teacher and not the other way round.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in NewsMeter

Dated December 17,2019

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Mujtaba-Hussain

India’s top-notch satirist and Urdu humour writer, Mujtaba Hussain, has decided to return his Padma Shri award to the Government of India to register his resentment and protest against the ‘communal poison’ being injected into the country. “I feel suffocated at the growing atmosphere of hatred enveloping the country. I don’t want to keep this award anymore. It has lost its value”, remarked an agitated Hussain.

The 87-year old writer was bestowed the fourth highest civilian award by the then President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, in 2007 for his contribution to humour genre in Urdu literature. Considered the Mark Twain of Urdu, Hussain has been creating ripples of laughter in the sub-continent with his special brand of humour. He has written over 25 books which have been translated into major languages of the world.

Speaking to NewsMeter, he expressed his dismay at the way people are being divided in the name of religion. He described the Citizenship Amendment Act as the worst piece of legislation as it had pitted one community against the other. “I have seen the freedom struggle and partition of the country and I do not want to see another partition”, he said in a chocked voice.

The father of nation, Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel and Moulana Azad had made numerous sacrifices for securing freedom and democracy. India has the best of Constitutions but now it was being torn apart deliberately, Hussain said and added that he would return the Padma Shri award to the Centre at the earliest. “I am taking this step responding to the call of my conscience”, he said.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in NewsMeter

Dated December 17,2019

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Nadir Khan Sargiroh’s stories about trivial things like raasta, chuha-billi and joote are full of proverbs, puns and punchlines

Nadir-Khan

To improve is to change, to be perfect is to change often. He has done just that and is garnering significant attention. Nadir Khan Sargiroh, the new kid on the block, has come as a breath of fresh air in Urdu literary circles. With a whole new approach to humour writing, he is trying to be ahead of the curve.

What is different about him is his out-of-the-box thinking and alternative way of telling stories. As his name suggests, Nadir has novel ideas. He has chosen to move off the beaten path, think freely and creatively. He doesn’t carry the burden of his contemporaries or constraints of his predecessors. Humour gets a fresh lease of life at his hands.

Humour is usually created by poking fun at someone. Urdu humourists do it at the expense of biwi, saas and saali. Nadir Khan steers clear of these stereotype characters. He doesn’t need a fixed image to construct his story or connect with readers. He is adept at creating humour by talking about such trivial things like raasta (way), chuha-billi (mouse and cat), janwar ki dum (animal tail), joote (shoes). He sets store by well-known phrases and expressions. His writings are proverb-packed and pun-based, something unheard of in Urdu literature.

In the story Duniya Bhar Ke Raaste Waaste, he writes: Kisi bhi manzil tak pahunchne ki awwaleen shart hai raasta. Shahron main raaste iss liye banaye jaate hain ke waqt be-waqt khudai ke liye koee maqool jagah maissar ho, aur hadison ka koee bahana ho (Roads are the prerequisite to reach any destination. In cities roads are laid so that they come in handy for on and off digging and there is some pretext for accidents). About the roadways in China, he says Cheen ke raaste duniya ke raaston ke muqable main zara chain ka saans lete hain. And here is the masterstroke: Cheen ke tamam raaste Made in China hain.

Nadir Khan has developed the craft of playing on words. Idiomatic construction of sentences is his strong point. And he loves to exploit multiple meanings of a term. There is, of course, spontaneity in the use of expressions and this adds to the charm. Readers never feel that an expression has been squeezed in needlessly. In the story Hunooz Billi Door Ast, Nadir Khan’s writing prowess comes to the fore as he goes on a wordplay binge. The story is all about the terrific time rats give, their secret holes and clever exit points. There is nothing new about rat infestation, but the way Nadir Khan weaves the story with idioms and expressions makes it highly readable. Sample these sentences:

Baaz janwar dil main ghar kar jaate hain aur chuhe ghar main bil kar jaate hain. Nadir plays on the word ‘ghar’ and ‘bil’ to say how some animals make a home in hearts while some a burrow in homes. Then, he goes on to explain the ‘naak main dum’ created by rats and also the importance of ‘har-bil azeez’ rodents in medical testing. If only they stopped making runs from here to there. For this wishful thinking, he puns on Mirza Ghalib’s famous verse: Gharon main daudte phirne ke hum nahin qaail

Nadir Khan, who hails from Mumbai, is an engineer in urban designing. He took to Urdu fiction writing in 2006 but soon realised that he should write something different if he wants to stand out from the rest. Endowed with a natural flair for humour, he decided to make it his passion. But here too, he faced challenges as there are many big names in Urdu humour writing like Ibne Insha, Mushtaq Ahmed Yousufi (Pakistan) and Mujtaba Hussain of India.

“I have evolved a different style of humour writing which is engaging and full of proverbs,” says the 48-year-old writer who enthralled the audience at the recently-held annual humour conference of Zinda Dilan-e-Hyderabad.

Nadir Khan is careful in avoiding double meaning words and below-the-belt remarks. His stories are humorous in a dignified way. No wonder he has a good fan-following among women. The title of his first book itself is humorous. He has named it Baa-Adab Baa-Muhaawara Hoshiyaar.  His second book Nadir Shahi Tukde is almost ready and will be released shortly.

Nadir Khan keeps his short stories really short, sometimes just a few paragraphs. But, every para is laced with phrases and punchlines. When he writes about cricket, he says how Australia ‘cricket ko khel samjhta hai’. Describing the nabbing of a thief from a well he twists the well-known proverb to say ‘chor geele hathon pakda gaya’. In a ten-line write-up on Payedar Paye, he uses as many proverbs. Playing on the word ‘paya’ (goat’s legs), he writes how badi der tak paye aag par aur hum intezar main galte rahe (for a long time, the lamb trotters on fire and me in waiting kept roasting). In the short piece on Ainak Ka Bojh, he explains how spectacles rest on naak ke sar par pate ke bal while uski tangon ka bojh donon kanon ke kandhe sambhalte hain.

Writing about the shoe-hurling incident at George Bush by an Iraqi journalist, he says the media highlighted the targetted attack more than the gola-bari on Iraq. But, see the bravado of Bush who jootiyan kha ke be-maza na huva. Nadir Khan resorts to Ghalib’s famous verse to deliver the punch by replacing the word ‘gaaliyaan’ with ‘jootiyan’. His write-ups are such that readers will die laughing. And surely zindagi naam hai hans-hans ke mar janeka.

Nadir Khan’s sense of humour and irony come out in the story on matrimonial ads. He writes: Alliance is required from a teacher who is educated, a policeman who is honest, a professor who is attentive and a politician ‘jo galiyan kha ke be-maza na hua’.

Like all humour writers, a sidekick figures in Nadir Khan’s stories. This Quixote goes by the name Purjosh Puri and comes in handy for the author to take pot-shots. Many writers, including the king of humour, Mujtaba Hussain, feels Nadir Khan has the potential to emerge as the leading humour writer of Urdu.

Karta nahin hai tanz-nigari main aiyen-gaiyen

Khail hain iske rang ke khud Mujtaba Hussain

Ye Sargiroh-e-Khafila haraf saaz hai

Iss par to Urdu ke adeebon ko naaz hai

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in Telangana Today

Dated December 15,2019

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Chai_and_Osmania

No party is complete without it. Nor any business deal can be clinched sans it. Even the morning newspaper smells stale without a steaming cuppa. And so is celebrity gossip. The ubiquitous tea is the most sought after beverage the world over. In Hyderabad few drinks can give a kick like the Irani chai. Along with the Osmania biscuit it forms a heady combination.

Of course Hyderabadis are head over heels in love with chai. The first thing they do in the morning is to reach for a warm cuppa and the last act before hitting the bed is the same hot brew. The city boasts of exclusive tea joints where chai lovers can be seen hanging around for hours. The Nimrah cafe near Charminar and the Niloufer hotel near the hospital of the same name showcase the chai craze. Chai aficionados simple spill over to the road – cup in hand. Just to ensure that people make room for others, most hotels carry the adage – time is money.

A variety of tea flavours seem to add to the vibrancy of Hyderabad. Where else can one find people ordering one-by-two chai with the Osmania biscuit? The flavours go by different names – masala chai, kadak chai, Lasa-Lamsa chai, Isphani chai, pauna, khade chamche ki chai and burkhe wali chai. The last three are most sought after in the old city. In khade chamche ki chai the sugar is so much that a spoon will stand straight when inserted. The burkhe wali chai gets the name because of the thick layer of malai that covers the cup. Pauna, which literally means three-fourth, has more of milk and less of tea power. Of late ghava, the Arabic brew, has become a rage in parts of the city.

“It is the now extinct Madina Hotel which introduced Irani chai in Hyderabad during 1960s”, says noted historian, M.A. Qayum. The Madina Hotel along with the Alpha Hotel near the Secunderabad railway station and the Vicaji hotel at Abids were the hub of Irani chai and biryani. The Vicaji hotel was the favourite restaurant of the 7th Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan. This hotel regularly supplied Osmania biscuits and other delicacies to King Kothi, the official residence of the Nizam, it is said.

If you are looking for the authentic Irani chai, don’t head for star hotels. It is the road side joints which excel in this concoction. No point asking for the Irani chai recipe – it is a closely guarded secret. One thing is for sure. Whoever takes ‘subha ki chai aur badon ki rai’ goes a long way. For most Hyderabadis happiness remains a cup of full chai.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in NewsMeter

Dated December 15,2019

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mecca-masjid

Muslim worshippers will hold a silent protest with black badges and flags before mosques all over Telangana after the ‘Namaz-e-Juma’ on Friday to express resentment at the passage of the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB) Bill by the Parliament. On Saturday a memorandum will be presented to the Governor, Collectors, RDOs and MROs followed by a demonstration and public meeting at the Dharna Chowk on Sunday.

This was resolved at a round table conference held here on Thursday to formulate an action plan against CAB. The conference convened by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Telangana, was attended by representatives of Tameere Millat, Jamiat Ahle Hadees, Movement for Peace and Justice, Human Rights Organisation and students from different universities.

Roundtable-conference-against-CAB

The meeting described the Citizenship Bill not just anti-Muslim but anti humanity as it violated the provisions of the Constitution. It struck at the secular fabric of the society and if not withdrawn would strengthen fascist forces in the country. Article 5 and 11 of the Constitution granted citizenship to people on the basis of their domicile and not religion. “By granting citizenship on the basis of religion the BJP government intended to drive a wedge between people. It was the darkest day in the history of India when CAB was passed”, said JIH president, Hamid Mohammed Khan.

Some speakers felt the Muslim Personal Law Board should also join the fight against the Citizenship Bill. Maulana Asif Umri of Jamiat Ahle Hadees, social activist, Sandhiya and others said the Bill spelled doom for the Muslims in the county and ought to be opposed tooth and nail. The Bill was the handiwork of a few fundamentalists since majority of the Hindus were in favour of peaceful coexistence.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in NewsMeter

Dated December 13,2019

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However, Prince Azmath Jah, great grandson of the last Nizam, who is making the documentary is not happy with the Canadian editor, Patrick Michael.

    Prince Alexander Azam Jah, Princess Shekhar Jah, Princess Esra Jah and Azmath Jah.

The much awaited documentary on the 7th Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, is finally ready. In the making for over a decade, the film is now in the cans. The post-production process of editing is on and it is expected to be released anytime soon. However, Prince Azmath Jah, great grandson of the last Nizam, who is making the documentary is not happy with the Canadian editor, Patrick Michael.

“His approach is from British perspective while I want to bring in Indian sensibilities. Therefore, I am looking for an Indian editor,” says Azmath Jah who is now in Hyderabad. He recently inaugurated the new office of HEH The Nizam’s Trusts at Purani Haveli.
The 80-minute documentary about the richest man of his times is tipped for world release. But it will be keenly watched in India, Turkey and England. There are lot of ‘misconceptions’ about the Nizam which the documentary seeks to dispel and put things in correct perspective. “It may not be the final word on the Nizam but definitely it will be the most authentic story,” says the young descendent of the Asaf Jahi dynasty.

Azmath Jah, a filmmaker himself, has wielded the camera for Hollywood hits like Last Crusade, Basic Instinct, Indiana Jones, Life of Charlie Chaplin, Navy Seals. He decided to make a movie on his great grandfather from the family’s point of view. “The Nizam had an incredible life and it’s difficult to portray it in a short documentary,” he admits.

The yet untitled film is expected to be named ‘Fabulous Nizam.’ It will be in English with Urdu sub-titles. Interestingly no one plays the Nizam but the story comes through interviews of different persons —both family members and those associated with the last Asaf Jahi ruler. As a family member, Azmath Jah, has access to things which an outsider can’t think of. During last few years he has interviewed dozens of close relatives and gathered the ‘untold story’. He has had long drawn conversations with the Nizam’s daughter, Shahzadi Pasha, Prince Shahmat Jah, Paigah nobles, Habeeb Yar Jung, Basheer Yar Jung and Mukarram Jah’s ADC, David Michael. This apart he has also spoken to a number of old Hyderabad families to gather information about the Nizam. For the first time the documentary will present Osman Ali Khan not just as a ruler but also as a great poet.

Casually clad in jeans and check-shirt, Azmath Jah talks passionately about the documentary and the effort that went into its making. It was originally meant to be a family project but later it was decided to give it a professional touch. “I am sure people will love to see the real Nizam, who is often dubbed a miser,” remarks the young prince for whom the movie is a labour of love.

Interestingly, Azmath Jah has no airs at all. He is extremely down to earth and interacts freely with everyone. He readily obliges staff of the Nizam Trust with selfies. What does he do for a living?  “I don’t need to do a nine to five job,” he replies, a thin smile playing on his face. “But I try to keep myself occupied with films and other such interests,” he says candidly.

Unlike his father, who shies away from public appearances, Azmath Jah is quite comfortable mixing with people.  He recalls his pleasant experience when he landed with his father at the Hyderabad airport few years ago. The immigration officer glanced at their passports and got up to salute his father. “I was moved by the respect people show to the Nizam’s family,” he says.

Though he lives in London, Azmath Jah has fond memories of Hyderabad, particularly his visits to the  Golconda Fort during Christmas holidays. His voice chokes talking about his father, who is now bedridden and can’t move out of Istanbul. Is he aware of the recent London court judgement about the Nizam's funds?

“Yes, he is happy about it,” replies the royal scion.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in Deccan Chronicle

Dated December 8,2019

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Considered the Charlie Chaplin of Urdu humour, Altaf Husain Shadab uses his rich repertoire of humorous tools to dabble in shayeri, ghazal, geet and parody

He is the Charlie Chaplin of Urdu humour – suited booted with a no-nonsense look. The only difference is that unlike the iconic comedian, he is not silent. Whenever he goes eloquent, which is quite often, rest assured there will be a laugh riot.

That’s Altaf Husain Shadab for you. Poet, writer and entertainer, he has been bringing cheer to desolate hearts for years. Popularly known as Shadab Bedhadak, he dishes out humour which is direct and in-your-face. Endowed with a rich repertoire of humorous tools, he rises to the occasion bedhadak. This is best explained in his own words:

Khud ko har rang-e-zamana se rangaleta hoon

Fees milti hai hanse ki, hansa leta hoon

Muskrahat ki kaee qismain meri jaeb mein hai

Hasbe mauqqa unhen honton pe saja leta hoon

As his takkhalus ‘Bedhadak’ suggests, Shadab’s shayeri is bold and upfront. Without hurting anyone, he makes his point in a forthright manner. The poetry bug bit him right from childhood. He never missed a cultural programme in his school to showcase his talent. He would recite poems of Allama Iqbal and Mahirul Qadri and receive applause. As he grew up, he devoured novels and short stories of Manto. However, grasping the philosophical shayeri of Iqbal and Mirza Ghalib proved tough.

On the other hand, he found it easy to understand and relate to Shakeel Badayuhi-Naushad songs. He was also impressed by the poetry of Raja Mehdi Ali Khan whom he knew as just a film lyrist. But when Shadab got hold of his humorous poetry, he wanted to turn a humour poet himself. Raja Mehdi Ali Khan’s parody of Iqbal’s famous poem, lab pe aati hai dua, gave him the idea of writing mizahiya shayeri.

“Hamare andar bhi ek adad mizahiya shayer pait main se paoon nikalne laga,” he explains how a humour poet took birth in him.

Shadab started taking active part in the monthly mushairas held at Vanambadi, Tamil Nadu, where he shifted from Hyderabad long ago. His funny verses and style of recitation evoked laughter but senior poets were not pleased by his shayeri which deviated from the fundamental rules of poetry. Realising that shayeri is not a child’s play, Shadab devoted himself to learning the basic techniques and read all the greats from Ghalib, Wali Daccani, Siraj Aurangabadi, Allama Iqbal, Faiz Ahmed Faiz to Suleman Khateeb.

Having learnt the ropes of poetry, he created a furore in literary circles. He turned to Hyderabad mushairas and earned a lot of applause. Particularly, the mushairas conducted under the banner of Zinda Dilan-e-Hyderabad gave him boost and recognition. He regaled and virtually ‘looted’ the mushairas. Along with humour, Shadab also started dabbling in serious poetry and earned the title of ‘Two-in-one fankar’.

He made a plunge into Hyderabad mushairas in 1968 with the ghazal.

Aye meri Shakira bistara gol kar

Aise susral main ab guzara nahin.

This is a parody of the famous ghazal Aye mere hum-nasheen chal khain aur chal. Shadab was inspired by Gilli Nalgondavi’s brand of mizahiya shayeri and followed his style initially. Later, he found his own rhythm and tempo. Talking about the hard work he put in before he could make a mark, he says:

Tan-o-man ko Shadab ne daswaya hai kitne sampon se

Tab ja ker a fan haath aaya, ye zarafat haath lagi hai

Shadab has written four books of humorous poetry so far. They are: Dar Guzar (1984), Mitthi Imli Khatte Khajooren (1987), Hansthe Zakhm (2003) and Beyaz-e-Shadab (2012). His fifth book Do Aatisha Aurab is being released on December 31. From nazm to ghazal, geet, parody and khittat, he has written in all genres of Urdu poetry. His poetic skills and imagination come to the fore in the nazm titled Deemak Rani. See how he captures the threat posed by termites to books.

Meri pustakon ki malika, meri deemakon ki raani

Meri shayeri se kyon hai teri dosti purani

Almari mein hai meri majmua Jigar bhi

Mujh se buland-khamat hain Ghalib wo Zafar bhi

Banne ko tera lukhma Manto hain Shakespeare bhi

Kyon sab ko chhod palle mere padgayee diwani

Meri shayeri se kyon hai teri dosti purani

Shadab’s shayeri is simple and easy to comprehend. Liberal use of English and Deccani words add to its charm. No wonder he has a huge fan-following. Especially during mushairas, the audience roots for him and never allows him to leave the mike. Shadab’s poems not merely reflect the current situation but also take swipes at the powers that be in a humorous way. See how he recalls the good old times and the turmoil in Kashmir in his typical style.

Ande aane main the athara once upon a time

Tha jabke Bedhadak kunwara once upon a time

Aaj hai kyon dozak ka namuna, mat pucho iska karan

Jannat tha Kashmir hamara once upon a time.

From political machinations to changing social mores, Shadab has written on every topic. He focuses on social injustice and ills of society and tries to bridge gaps of understanding among people. His poem Sab Khairiat se Hai is a satirical commentary on the state of affairs. Shadab mocks at the attempts by authorities to present a rosy picture even as violence, unrest and atrocities are the order of the day. He writes:

Taza Ganesh rally main umda tha intezam

Baad namaze Juma the sargaram khas-o-aam

Firing ka jawab tha pathrau ka salam

Filhal hospital main mehfooz hain tamam

Insaniyat ka sar hai qalam, khairat se hain

About electoral fraud, rigging and voter intimidation, a common practice during polls, Shadab says:

Exit poll kehta hukumat ki jeet hai

Milli lutere kehte hain millat ki jeet hai

Ek marde dana kehta hai mehnat ki jeet hai

Neta hain khush, awaam hi kam khairiat se hai

When Shadab turns romantic, the poet in him sees his beloved everywhere. He gives vent to his feelings and emotions thus:

Kabhi roti ke tukdon main, kabhi salan ke piyale main

Teri zulfon ka hai deedar Begum har niwale main

Who doesn’t know what the present-day Iftar parties have become? A noble gesture meant to foster inclusiveness has turned into tokenism. They are reduced to political tamasha with netas of all hues throwing lavish iftar dinners to curry favour. Shadab takes a dig at such iftar parties in his typical way.

Iss party ki aad main kursi sambhaliye

Mauqe se kaam lijiye, matlab nikaliye

Bigdi banaiye koee pagdi uchaliye

Iftar party hai ye Iftar party

Not just ghazals and nazms, Shadab is also adept at writing parodies. His caricature of famous poems and songs is so nice that they sound original. See how he does a humorous take on Jagjit Singh’s famous ghazal Ye daulat bhi le lo, ye shoharat bhi le lo and comes up with his ‘Gosht Khor Tarana’:

Ye kaddu bhi le lo, ye baigan bhi le lo

Bhale cheen lo hum se tarkari saari

Magar hum ko louta do maindhe ka saalan

Wo gurda kaleji, wo paya nahari

Shadab, who was born in Warangal, also made lyrical contribution towards the birth of Telangana State. His Deccani songs during the Telangana movement were a rage. Sample this verse:

Manzil door nahin hai aage badho lagao dhakka

Telangana hai pakka

At 70, there is no stopping Shadab. His humour remains sharp and scintillating as ever. He goes about ‘bedhadak’ spreading laughter and enlivening mushairas.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in Telangana Today

Dated December 8,2019

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It is fighting a losing battle against survival. And if succour is not rendered to it in time then South India’s biggest research centre will be a thing of the past. Idara-e-Adabiyat-e-Urdu, the Institute of Urdu Literature, is caught in financial throes. Bereft of money and care it is dying a slow death. And so is the literary wealth contained in the 50,000-odd books and 2600 rare manuscripts housed here. The saddest part is that there is none to care for this treasure trove in Hyderabad which is supposed to be the cradle of Urdu language and literature.

This is the pathetic story of an institution which was visited by not one but four Indian Presidents – Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Dr. Radhakrishnan, Dr. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed and Dr. Zakir Husain. But now tiny beetle larvae are having a field day here. They are at work relentlessly, reducing priceless books to shreds. Tarjuma Tuzike Jahangir, a 1291 CE biography, is in tatters. Same is the case with the Gazette Extraordinary dated 1348 CE. Step into the Indara’s library and what you encounter is a heart rending scene – worm infested books with broken binding and brittle pages.

The Idara situated bang opposite the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Science (NIMS) in Punjagutta is badly in need of care of a different kind. It needs a page-to-page resuscitation. Rare books of 16th and 17th century need to be salvaged and fast since no other copy is available elsewhere. There are also colonial era newspapers and pre-Independence literature which need to be retrieved. They throw light on the contribution of Urdu press.

Founded by eminent scholar and educationist, Dr. Syed Mohinuddin Qadri Zore in 1931, the Idara is intended to work for the protection and advancement of Urdu language and literature. Dr. Zore ensured that the Institute also worked for the cause of Arabic, Persian and Deccani languages. Initially it functioned from the residence of Dr. Zore. In 1960 a building for Aiwan-e-Urdu was constructed on the land donated by his wife, Tahniyatunnisa Begum.

Ancient  Manuscripts

Books apart, the Aiwan-e-Urdu Museum situated on the first floor of the Idara is home to ancient  manuscripts, the earliest one being the Arabic manuscript titled ‘Sharhu Miftahul-Uloom compiled by Ali Bin Muhammad in 803/1400. It contains 227 folios on 22.5×12.5 cm size paper with gold and coloured ruled borders. There is another copy of it in Salar Jung Museum library but it is dated 899/1445. Another important codex is a copy of Al-Quran transcribed during the 13th/19th century. Other notable Arabic manuscripts are Hashiya-e-Qutbi, Tahzibul Mantiq, Tarjama-e-Chihil Hadith, Tadhkiratu Aasham and Sirrul Asrar. Hazrath Ghous-e-Azam Dastagir, the celebrated sufi saint of Baghdad, is believed to have authored them.

The Museum is also home to a good number of Persian manuscripts, the earliest one being the ‘Zafarnama’ by Sharfuddin Ali Yazdi wirtten in 828/1425. It contains the history of Timur. In Unani medicine the important codex is ‘Makhazn-e-Qutubshahi’  and in Animal Husbandry ‘Farasnama’. The important manuscript in mathematics is ‘Lilawati’ translated by Faidi from Sanskrit to Persian. The Museum also boats of the Persian translation of ‘Bhagawat Geeta’ by Abdur Rahman Bin Abdur Rasool Abbasi. This also contains other Sanskrit works like Porbora, Mahadev, Aqwal-e-Ramchanderji and Guftagu of Sri Krishna Mahadev. This apart the Museum has rare works of poetry, theology, history, philosophy and a string of old lexicons. Though there is no entry fee for the Museum, few care to visit it.

Not many know that the Museum has a rare collection of Deccani miniature paintings (51), firmans (166), monograms (1400), calligraphy panels (112), arms and armour (34), textiles (3), Bidriware and Huqqas (10), wall hangings (120) coins and two boxes of Ganjifa, the ancient Indian card game with colourful motifs and designs. Three ancient maps, including that of Hyderabad city dating back to 1772 AD, are other important objects here.

Bad times came over the Idara when grant-in-aid from the State government and the Government of India stopped some two decades ago. Now it gets annual grant of just Rs. 1 lakh from the Telangana State Urdu Academy while its monthly expenses come to Rs. 1.25 lakh. “We need annual grant of at least Rs. 20 lakh to revive the Idara”, says its secretary, Prof. S.A. Shukoor.

Several letters addressed to the Centre and the Moulana Azad Foundation have fallen on deaf years. Various exams conducted by the Idara such as Maher (equivalent to 7th class), Aalim (tenth class), Fazil (Intermediate) twice a year filled its empty coffers to some extent. But of late the number of students have dropped from 8000 to 300 since the Fazil certificate issued by the Idara is not being recognised for education and employment purposes.

However, in spite of the financial straits, the Idara is bringing out its literary journal, Sabras, every month. A few years back it floated adopt-a-book scheme to preserve its collection. But the response was not encouraging. The Idara now survives on the mercy of donations from Urdu aficionados. If you have tears prepare to shed them now.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in NewsMeter

Dated December 8,2019

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It was a pleasant surprise for those who turned up for ‘Namaz-e-Juma ‘ at Masjid-e-Ishaq in the old city of Hyderabad. Done with their prayers, they got screened for diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cardiovascular ailments, kidney diseases and cancer. The best part was that the worshippers did not have to pay anything for these tests.

The screening was part of a public health initiative launched by the Helping Hand Foundation (HHF) to check the spread of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This is yet another medical facility being offered at Masjid-e-Ishaq, which is already home to a primary health centre.

A survey carried out by the HHF has shown that the old city remains the epicentre of NCDs, which account for about 60 percent deaths there. Around 70 people were screened for various diseases last Friday. Of them, 45 percent had hypertension, 65 percent were found to be in high-risk zone with a body mass index greater than 25. Nearly one-fifth were clueless about their health status, while many were found irregular with their medication.

Apart from free medication, referral to higher centres for NCD complications, counselling on lifestyle changes is also being offered to the economically weaker sections in the slums through the Masjid community health centre. “A fulltime trained counsellor will be available at the Centre for counselling and guiding patients on lifestyle changes that can help them improve their health status,” said Mujtaba Hasan Askari of HHF.

The NCD clinic started by HHF is equipped with BP apparatus, glucometer, weighing scale, and tap. It also has trained community medicine doctors, nurses and counsellors. As per the WHO guidelines, the clinic is recording demography, smoking and alcohol history along with physical inactivity and diet history of those being screened.

The purpose of the NCD clinic is to detect hidden as also known cases of diabetes, hypertension and other chronic diseases in the community and help people with counselling and link them to the public health system for zero-cost treatment. The HHF plans to carry out preventive health screenings in different places of worship, colleges and community halls covering youth and adults in several urban slums in the old city.

“The NCD screening program is aimed at early detection and prompt treatment so that the burden of disease is minimised through assessment and prompt treatment”, said Dr. Md. Abdul Basheer, chief medical officer of HHF.

Unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyle are the primary reason for the spurt in the incidence of diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, cancer and fatty liver, leading to high morbidity and mortality. The onset of NCDs, particularly in the bread-earner segment, puts huge financial stress on the family and pushes it into poverty when the complications begin to show, say health workers.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in NewsMeter

Dated December 4,2019

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Dr Syed Fazil Hussain Parvez’s subjective, honest and empathetic editorials have been tugging at the heartstrings of readers for two decades

Bada jazbati manzar tha .. zaeef maa.. jiski aankhen ansoo bahate bahate kab ki khushk ho chuki thi, magar dil o dimag ki kaifiat androni jazbat ka izhar chehre se ho raha tha .. apne shouhar ki ummid jalaye huye jawan sal biwi … jazbat se aari sapat chehra .. aur chand khadam ke fasile par iska shouhar .. apni maa ka beta … Kulbhushan Jadhav ..

It was an emotional scene… Aged mother… her eyes gone dry shedding tears. Her wrinkled face gives hint of the inner turmoil. A young wife … keeping alive hopes of her husband’s return, her face devoid of feelings. And yonder her husband – Kulbhushan Jadhav — with downcast eyes — sea of tears ready to break the barrier of eye-lashes and course down the cheeks. A glass screen in between … communicating through an intercom device.

Is waqt pura Hindustan qataar mein hai bankon ki. Subah kaise guzar gaee, dopaher kaise guzar gaee, kab sham sar par aee aur kab raat ne apni siah chader phailadi .. kisi ko iska hosh nahin.

The entire country is queued up before banks now. How the morning passed, how the afternoon went by, when dusk set in and when night spread — none is conscious of it. All eyes are fixed on the gate of the banks. As the men and women inch forward in the queue, there is hope and a glance backward reassures that we are much ahead of others. And those who manage to lay hands on a few notes after hours of waiting emerge with a victorious smile.

A page out of a novel? No. These are idaria (editorials) capturing the brief meeting of the alleged Indian spy with his mother and his wife at the Foreign Office in Islamabad and the serpentine queues seen before banks following demonetisation of currency notes. What is strange about these editorials is that they tug at your heartstrings and move you to tears.

Urdu weekly Gawah is setting new benchmarks in viewpoints. So, what’s its speciality? Its literary flair and engaging style! Usually, most readers catch up with the headlines and a few care to go through the editorial. And still fewer read it for the second time. Journalism is that which is grasped at once while literature commands a second and even third reading. Dr Syed Fazil Hussain Parvez’s editorials in the Gawah belong to the last category. In fact, journalism is literature in hurry. And Parvez lives up to the adage. Week after week, he comes up with editorials which have narrative techniques and stylistic devices usually found in fiction. This kind of narrative journalism is rare in Urdu media. The story is real and so are the characters mentioned but the focus and description differ. Parvez zeros in on the lives of people affected by circumstances or institutions. And what follows is a story that shakes readers out of complacency.

Last week, his second book of editorials — Sach Hi To Hai — was released. It contains 92 select editorials written in 2017. The best example of creative nonfiction, the book gives not just a peep into the past events but also a lot to ponder over. Parvez is not merely a journalist but a moralist too. He draws inferences, makes a statement and leaves a message. He makes use of all the literary devices at his command — narrative, persuasive and descriptive. Usually, he wraps up his articles with a couplet which sums up the point he wants to make.

For instance, when he wrote about Mukesh Ambani coming to the rescue of his sibling, Anil Ambani, by clearing off his outstanding dues and fending off a possible jail term, he gave a human touch to a purely business story. Hailing the brotherly gesture of Mukesh Ambani, Parvez says:

Bhai se bhai ke kutch taqaze bhi hain

Sehan ke beech ki diwar apni jagh

Much has been written about the lavish weddings in Muslim community, the unearthly hour at which dinner is served — not to speak of the late-night band-baja-baraat. Parvez wields his pen to portray a true picture of the Hyderabadi shaadi — the way the common man is getting mired in debts in a bid to live up to the false societal standards. The scathing article touches upon the ills of the present-day marriages and ends with Allama Iqbal’s famous verse:

Andaze bayan garche bohat shokh nahin hai

Shayed ke utar jaye tere dil main meri baat

(Although I am not master of rhetoric

Perhaps my words still enter your heart)

A senior journalist, Parvez has penned six books till date on different subjects. “Jab ghame dil sataata hai to likh leta hun,” he says.

Through artfully told narratives, Parvez has been touching the conscience of readers for the last 20 years. The unique thing about his writings is subjectivity, honesty and empathy. And those who want to slake their bookish sweet tooth, there is lot of ‘adbi chashni’ in his books.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in Telangana Today

Dated December 1,2019

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