The place remains chaotic, loud and as frenzied as ever.

The place remains chaotic, loud and as frenzied as ever. But there is a pleasant change now. You can breathe easily and appreciate your favourite monument without the fear of being knocked down. Tourists visiting Charminar are now whistling their relief. They can have a leisurely dekho of the historic edifice.

For years Hyderabad’s most popular icon was stuck in a time warp. Reaching it involved navigating obstacles and potential hazards from potholes to throngs of distracted pedestrians—not to mention automobile fumes and the swirling traffic. Every time I went there I had to literally fight for space. Not anymore. Now you can saunter around, popcorn in hand, and look at the architectural wonder raised to ward off recurring plague. Thank God the Charminar Pedestrianisation Project being implemented in fits and starts is at last showing results.

My friend from Chennai who recently visited Charminar couldn’t believe his eyes when he could move around the monument at an unhurried pace and take selfies without the fear of honking traffic. Driving through Charminar is still not easy. You have to pick your way past the street-level chaos peculiar to the old city of Hyderabad. If one can ride here, one can ride anywhere goes a popular saying.

But this doesn’t deter visitors. For tourists a visit to Hyderabad remains incomplete without a visit to Charminar. The same is the case with the locals. Come festivals or marriage season shopping around the monument is must. A bride’s trousseau is incomplete without a visit to Laad Bazar, the famed bangle street.


Politicians have their own reasons to root for Charminar. They find it the best place to stage protests and take out rallies. That’s not all. There are many myths associated with Charminar. For rumour mongers there is nothing like the ‘Charminar ki pudi’ to set afloat idle gossip. Sometime ago, archaeologists too fell prey to it and dug up a major portion of the road from the monument in the hope of uncovering a secret tunnel connecting it to the Golconda Fort. But in the end it turned out to be nothing more than a ‘Charminar ki pudi’.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The New Indian Express

Dated November 19,2018

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Saeed Shaheedi, poet of 'Barq-o-Aashiyan', excelled in all genres of poetry. A tribute to the prolific writer

There is no dearth of poets in Hyderabad. But, he remains a cut above the rest. You can rock to his romantic ghazals and also sob to his soulful dirges. That’s Saeed Shaheedi for you. A poet who defies definition.

A prolific writer, Saeed has left his stamp in all genres of Urdu poetry – Ghazal, Qasida (panegyric), Naath (eulogy of the Prophet), Manqabat (sufi devotional poem), Rubai (quatrain), Munajaat (supplication), Salam (salutation), Marsia (elegy) and Noha (lamentation). He carved out a special niche for himself as versifier of Ahl-e-Bait. His devotional poetry written in praise of the Prophet’s family is a big draw during the Muharram mourning sessions. Saeed is equally popular for his ghazals where he is at his best depicting the feelings of love and bereavement.

Born Mir Abid Ali, he is known by the nom de plume Saeed. During his lifetime, he figured among the show stealers. His style of rendition apart, the profundity of thought, the pungent freshness, poignancy and music in his verses cast a mesmerising spell. The effect is much the same even now as the poet himself remarked once:

Jab bhi mehfil main chidi meri ghazal

Sari mehfil ko tadapta dekha

(Whenever my ghazal is recited/ The entire assemblage is seen in spasm)

What is unique about this Shayer-e-Deccan is that he could express exquisite sentiments with beauty, ardour and pathos in short beher (meter). His lyrical power is extraordinarily versatile and renders the whole gamut of human emotions with consummate felicity. Most of his ghazals betray a nostalgic longing for the beloved. Sample these verses:

Kaise sukoon paoon tujhe dekhne ke baad

Ab kya ghazal sunaoon tujhe dekhne ke baad

Teri nigah-e-mast ne maqmoor kar diya

Kya maikadh ko jaoon tujhe dekhne ke baad          

 His ghazals are distinctive and moving. Using elegant vocabulary and metaphorical allusions, Saeed is able to express different shades of feelings while adhering to rhyme and meter. See how in this ghazal he plays on words and emotions which he alone could do.

Kis ko pane ki baat karte ho

Hosh udane ki baat karte ho

Jam khali laga ke honton ko

Ladkhadane ki baat karte ho

Known as poet of ‘Barq-o-Aashiyan’, Saeed’s shayeri is full of references to lightning and nest. He employs these metaphors superbly in different contexts to depict the ravages suffered by a hapless lover at the hands of the beloved and to cock a snook at destiny.

Barq ke liye kya kya zahmaten uthata hoon

Aashiyan ke jalte hi aashiyan banata hoon

Aashiyane ki bunyad rakh ker Saeed

Barq ka housla azmate hain hum

 It is difficult to gauge the depth of his poetry as he mastered the art of expressing difficult situations in an easy way. The agony of Karbala, the most poignant chapter in Islamic history, has a bearing on his poetry. No wonder his verses have the sensation of smouldering embers. But, they don’t scorch the readers and listeners – rather bestow the warmth of life upon them. Saeed surely is one of a kind. This is best summed up in his own words:

Ghalib nahin main phir bhi Saeed itna kahoonga

Har ek se hat kar mera andaze bayan hai

Poetry runs in his genes with his father, Mir Mehdi Ali, being a poet himself. Saeed gave a hint of his brilliance when he took part in the annual mushaira held at Nizam College as a student. Those present, including the then Prime Minister Maharaja Kishan Prasad, couldn’t miss the great poet in the making.

Mubtalaye zulf ghabrate nahin

Khelte hain khaid mein zanjeer se          

Though Saeed worked in the Excise Department, he remained a poet at heart. He was bestowed the title of said-us-shora and travelled widely addressing poetic sessions both within and outside the country. His poems were regularly broadcast from All India Radio and BBC. Perhaps, Saeed had an inkling of his fame and said it in a subtle way in this couplet:

Aankhen khul jaayengi zamane ki

Meri aankhen to bund hone do

There could be no better tribute to this master poet than publication of his complete works. Another great son of the soil, Dr Syed Taqi Abedi, deserves compliments for bringing out the Kuliyat-e-Saeed Shaheedi to mark his birth centenary celebrations held on January 23, 2018.  A collector’s issue, the 759-page tome contains all the 3,869 verses composed by him along with the views of top writers.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in Telangana Today

Dated November 18,2018

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Iqbal Academy brings to light unpublished works of Allama Iqbal

Die-hard fans of Allama Iqbal, one of the greatest of Urdu poets, can now look forward to reading his little known and yet unpublished verses. The Iqbal Academy, Hyderabad, has planned to bring out this 200-page book titled Baqiyat-e-Iqbal in India. After much deliberations, the Academy took this decision on the occasion of the poet’s 141st birth anniversary on November 9.

The poet-philosopher has a huge fan following in the Urdu world, particularly in the sub-continent. Many theories abound as to why these verses were not published during the lifetime of the poet. Some say these were early poems of Iqbal and naturally lacked the philosophical profundity of his later works. Therefore, they were not included in the published works. Some believe that Iqbal had dropped these early verses as his thinking and philosophy had changed a lot by the time his celebrated book Bang-e-Dara was published. Whatever be the reson, these early poems have the distinct stamp of Iqbal — thestyle, diction and the unique choice of words.

Though the Baqiat-e-Iqbal was published in Pakistan way back in the 1950s, it remains unavailable in India. “We will have the credit of publishing it for the first time in India,” says Ziauddin Nayyar, vice president, Iqbal Academy.

Interestingly it was in Hyderabad that the first works of Iqbal was published by Abdul Razzak in 1916. The first Youm-e-Iqbal (Iqbal day) was also celebrated in the city on January 7, 1938 and the Bazm-e-Iqbal , the first Iqbal society was set up here. Also, Hyderabad’s connection with the poet who penned the famous nazm Sare jahan se accha goes deeper. He had visited Hyderabad thrice, first in 1910. He was the guest of the then Prime Minister, Maharaja Kishan Prasad. During his brief visit Iqbal was taken to the Qutb Shahi tombs where he penned the poem Gorastan-e-Shahi mirroring the rise and fall of kingdoms.

The Iqbal Academy, which has a collection of 6000 books on the poet, proposesto set up a research centre and extend all facilities to scholars who intend to do doctoral theses on Iqbal. Last weekend a programme was organised at the Academy’s premises in Gulshan-e-Khaleel complex, Masab Tank to commemorate Iqbal’s birth anniversary.


The poet-philosopher has a huge fan following in the Urdu world, particularly in the sub-continent.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The Hindu

Dated November 14,2018

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Helping Hand Foundation in the city says it will take care of them

Next time you come across someone in distress just dial 7893191193 or 8790679505.

A dishevelled man scavenging for food at a dustbin. An emaciated woman lying on the pavement - uncared and untended. These are everyday scenes we see and yet not see. But Arvind Gagan stood transfixed when the other day he saw a man lying near the footpath at Mouzam Jahi market with deep lacerations and maggot wounds on his wrist. The middle-aged man was fully naked. 

Though in a tearing hurry, Gagan took out his mobile and called some NGOs. The Helping Hand Foundation (HHF) responded and immediately rushed its team of volunteers to help the unknown. The volunteers first offer drinking water to the man, dress his infested hand, clothe him before shifting him to the Osmania General Hospital for treatment.

Much like the Missionaries of Charity of Mother Teresa, Hyderabad is seeing the HHF coming to the rescue of the unwanted, uncared and forgotten persons. During the last six months it has tended and rescued 25 persons left abandoned on the city roads. The avowed goal of the civic body to make Hyderabad beggar free remains just a pipedream. 

One can see scores of persons, majority of whom are sick and homeless, dotting the streets. Most of them have serious mental health issues along with physical ailments. Due to prolonged abandonment many refuse treatment and want to be left alone.  “It is extremely challenging to nurse and feed them”, says Mujtaba Hasan Askari, Trustee, HHF.

As its name suggests, the HHF believes in lending a hand to those caught in medical emergencies. From palliative care to HIV/AIDS patients, providing nutritional supplements to malnourished, extending free transport to patients HHF has grown over the years by helping others grow. Now it has decided to bring love and care to the sick, the abandoned and homeless.     

“But lack of social support and shelters make long-term rehabilitation a challenge”, remarks Askari.  What makes rehabilitation efforts difficult is the tendency among the destitute to go back to where they think they are comfortable be it a pavement without a shelter. “When left alone they often run away from hospitals”, says Askari. 

The HHF has now teamed up with other NGOs to arrange for the last rites of the abandoned patients in the event of death - giving them the dignity of life. Next time you come across someone in distress just dial 7893191193 or 8790679505. Who knows you may be saving a life.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The New Indian Express

Dated October 31,2018

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Muztar Majaz was not only a ‘shayar’, critic and translator but also an authority on the bard Allama Iqbal

The recent death of Muztar Majaz has robbed Hyderabad and the Urdu world of a great poet, critic and translator. In fact he was the last word on the Urdu bard Allama Iqbal, and was known to be authority on 'Iqbaliat'.

Majaz breathed life in mushairas and without his scholarly presence adabi mehfils will not be the same again. Even at the ripe age of 83 he could steal the limelight.

His three books of verses — Mausam-e-Sang, Ek Sukhan Aur and Tilism-e-Majaz — show what consummate skill he had as a poet. He grappled with real issues until his shayeri gradually turned philosophical and spiritual. Eloquent expressions, flights of fancy and a soaring spirit are hallmarks of his poetry. However, Majaz is best remembered for his versified Urdu translation of the Persian works of Allama Iqbal under the title - Sada-e-Dilkusha . Thanks to Majaz, Iqbal’s works Javednama, Payame Mashriq, Armaghan-e-Hijaz are now available in Urdu. He also translated select poems of Ghalib in his Naqsh Haye Rang Rang .

Majaz has addressed more than 300 'Iqbal Shinasi' sessions at Masjid-e-Aliya, Hyderabad, expounding on Iqbal’s Persian verses. His translations earned praise from the German scholar Annemarie Schimmel who has translated Iqbal's poetry in German.

Majaz excelled in ghazals, coming up with fresh radeefs and qafiyas (rhyming pattern). Also, his distinct recitation style made him a big hit with the audience.

Mala wala, bindi windi, jhoomer woomer kya?

Zevar tera chera, tujh ko zevar waver kya?

Jeevan ek chadta darya hai, doob ke karle paar

Is darya main kashti washti langar wangar kya


A graduate from Osmania University, Majaz took up government service but retained his passion for poetry. Apart from Urdu and Persian, he loved English, Hindi and Telugu literature. Much feted ,Majaz bagged the prestigious Ghalib award from Ghalib Institute, Delhi.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The Hindu

Dated October 26,2018

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The Hyderabad State surrendered meekly to the Indian military on September 13, 1948 without a single shot being fired

The Hyderabad State surrendered meekly to the Indian military on September 13, 1948 without a single shot being fired. This was largely due to the betrayal of El Edroos, the Commander-in-Chief of the Hyderabad army, who instructed the various army sector commanders to ‘avoid resistance and surrender’.

Much has been written about the military invasion of Hyderabad but a new book on the last Nizam throws fresh light on the subject and lays bare the treacherous role played by Edroos. “He was in league with the Indian army and surreptitiously passed on secret information about the Nizam’s army, its strength, deployment and tactics,” says MA Nayeem in his book – ‘Mir Osman Ali Khan Asaf Jah VII Nizam of Hyderabad and His Contributions’.

Though the Nizam was far outnumbered in military might, his army could still have fought and resisted the Indian forces at least for sometime as a matter of prestige. But Nizam was unaware of the conspiracy hatched by Edroos and his secret orders to the Hyderabad army not to resist the Indian army”, says Nayeem.

“

The veteran historian lists out the military strength of Hyderabad at the time of Police Action and says the real fighting force was just 22,000. It had guns, three armoured regiments while one fourth of the irregular army was equipped with modern weapons and rest were armed with muzzle loaders. This apart there were 10,000 armed Arabs, 10,000 Razakars and soldiers of Paigah and jagir police. Nayeem calls the Indian invasion as ‘naked aggression’ and in ‘blatant violation’ of international law. “The military attack was euphemistically named ‘Operation Polo’ to assuage the world criticism of the unprovoked aggression,” he says.

He describes Razakars as patriots of the first order and says they were a ‘voluntary organisation’ pledged to defend Hyderabad from attack. He rubbishes the propaganda that they were gangsters guilty of all sorts of crimes. “Every country has voluntary organisations and even India has several organisations with different names,” points out Nayeem.

The 271-page book is divided into three parts. The first one deals with Nizamul Mulk Asaf Jah 1 and his successors up to Asaf Jah VI, the second part is all about Mir Osman Ali Khan, the seventh Nizam,  and the last part talks about his contributions to the Hyderabad state and world. Nayeem has sourced material from the State Archives where he worked. Besides he has delved into the records of the Nizam’s Peshi office at King Kothi now preserved in Chow Mohalla Palace and also the National Archives, New Delhi. He has appended in the book a scanned copy of Pundit Sunderlal Committee report on the aftermath of Police Action obtained from the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library.


The book is an interesting read and blames the British for destruction of Hyderabad although the Nizam contributed several millions  to bolster the depleting British treasury during the two World Wars. The Nizam also donated a destroyer ship to the British navy named ‘HMAS Nizam’ Nayeem quotes Sir Arthur Lothian, the British Resident at Hyderabad to explain how the British let down the Nizam: “No person of British origin who knows the facts can read the dignified and royal statement of the Nizam without a feeling of shame at our tacit abandonment of Hyderabad to the pressure of every sort from India.”

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The New Indian Express

Dated October 16,2018

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For Haj pilgrims shopping, after religious ritual is a way of life

Shopping bugs don't spare anyone. Not even pilgrims on a consecrated journey. As a form of 'me time', shopping provides the much needed relaxation and escape from stress and strain of Haj.  After spiritual renewal, pilgrims end up with a more earthly reward - shopping. The recently concluded annual pilgrimage at Makkah saw devotees going on a shopping binge once the Haj was over.

What did they buy? From prayer beads to scarves to designer clothes and expensive jewellery - everything under the sun. Shops selling burqas and hijabs (head covering) are a big hit with women pilgrims. Buying gifts and souvenirs for kith and kin back home is a tradition. Pilgrims indulge in a spot of shopping in between performing prayers and religious rituals. While the well-heeled turn to big hypermarkets like Bin Dawood and Abraj, majority of the worshippers hit the roads where affordable goods are lined up. "It is not proper to return to your family after a month without carrying gifts", says Maria of Egypt echoing the sentiments of many others.

Makkah and Madinah, the two holiest cities in Islam, offer many things unique to Muslims which are perhaps not found anywhere. For instance the best of prayer rugs from around the world are to  be found here. The price goes from a mere 10 Saudi Riyal to 100 SR and above depending on the quality. Prayer rugs are a rage among pilgrims as they have to be distributed to family members back home along with the holy zam zam water and dates.

Retail therapy brings in mega bucks to the merchants in Makkah and Madinah. In fact traders eagerly look forward to the annual Haj to rake in the mullah. Though pilgrims can be seen purchasing all through the day, mostly while returning to their hotels from the Grand Mosque, the shopping peaks after dusk when they are through with the day's prayers.

For bibliophiles Makkah offers amazing books stores. The Darussalam publications, particularly, are lapped up by pilgrims for their rich content and quality printing. The library at the Grand Mosque is home to a variety of books on Islam and the ambience here makes reading a pleasurable experience. Located on the second floor of the masjid, It also has a digital section, audio books and rare manuscripts.

Not just shopping, pilgrims spare time to see among other things the Makkah Museum to get a peep into the cultural and historical dimension of the two grand mosques. Haj is a dream for many and one would like to cherish the experience for ever. And the best way to remember the journey of faith is to take home souvenirs.

This writer was in Makkah recently to perform Haj.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The Hindu

Dated October 15,2018

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