Qasmi Sahab
I heard of the passing away of Qasmi Sahab just as I was being wheeled into the surgery for my hernia operation. Sad though the news was, I couldn't help feel glad that a doctor and an anesthetist were talking about a literary figure. Gave me some kind of hope about our society (and confidence in those about to cut me up).
Checking mail and blogs is the first thing you do after surgery (it's therapeutic and great for recuperation). So I read my posts as soon as I got home. Not as much of a fan of Qasmi Sahab as many of my friends were, I do agree that with his death another of Urdu's greats has gone. I was fortunate enough to have met and heard him recite on many occasions and remember several of his better ash'aar.
The ghazal that was quoted in the post brings to mind the time that a federal minister, attending a concert in Islamabad, sent in a request for Mehdi Hasan to sing that piece at the event. The legendary singer could not help but break into a guffaw, in the middle of whatever he was singing, when the minister's card with the request reached him. Later, he shared the joke with some of his friends. This is the shayr as quoted in the note:
Maeñ to darya hooñ, samandar mayñ ütar jaaooñ-ga!
Labels: Bloggers, Literature, News, Pakistan, People, Poetry, Urdu
posted by Zakintosh at 7/11/2006 11:53:00 AM
3 Comments:
Where these two were giants it must surely be a land of pygmies.
11 July, 2006 15:10
To The Olive Ream:
Respected Sir - I meant no offence to you. My comment was neither profound nor intended to be witty. I have always felt these two people are over-rated in their quality and skills but accept that they have played a very important role (specially ANQ) in the furtherance of Urdu Literature. FYI, I come from a long line of Urdu enthusiasts and scholars but feel that, even if that were not the case, I would be entitled to a view that is different from yours. In fact you have taken this very plea in your counter-comments to 'anonymous' on another one of Zakintosh's posts (Loud and Clear?).
You have accused me, without any justification, of hiding 'under the blanket of anonymity'. In your dictionary Anonymous must mean Someone Who Does Not Have A Blog Or Wish To Share An E-Mail Address. Most certainly Rayhan does not equal Anonymous in Arabic.
However, in order to not enter into a battle - and that, too, on someone else's turf - I shall accede to your uncalled-for sarcasm, and respond only to any future comments that you may make in the past.
To Sabizak:
There are several reasons that I do not blog. If I ever do, I shall certainly leave a link on your blog.
To Zakintosh:
Apologies for wasting your space. I did not expect The Olive Ream to become so sensitive. Leave a note here if you would rather keep the comments section for friends alone.
12 July, 2006 19:48
Rayhan: This is not a private forum. Your comments, which I enjoy a lot, are as welcome as are The Olive Ream's. I am curious about your Urdu connections (among a host of other things) but leave you to 'unveil' them if and when you see fit.
Thanks for dropping by frequently.
12 October, 2010 22:48
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