Adil Najam
Last week–before the damper was put on the opening of Mughal-e-Azam in Pakistan with an India-Pakistan Gala–ATP readers were commenting on how Pakistanis don’t seem to value or ‘own’ our Mughal heritage and history as much as our neighbors to the East. At that time I had mentioned the wonderfully evocative song and video produced by Shoaib Mansoor on the legend of Anarkali as part of his Supreme Ishq series, and promised to place it here. So, here goes.
Click on arrow at center, or view it directly here:
The question was also raised about the authenticity of the legend of Anarkali. On this, I have nothing to say and will leave it to more learned readers to add something. My own sense is that the stories that have caught the public imagination are nearly certainly not true; simply because there are so many and so contradictory. However, there was probably something there and maybe even a real person by that name. There certainly is a ‘mazaar’ in Lahore where, supposedly, she lies buried inside a wall. (What was wrong with these Mughal Emperors, why so much needless drama!). But on allof this, and more, I remain ready to be corrected.
Indeed, Lahore an ancient city with mystery after mystery buried within the facade of the of modernity. Sadly we in Pakistan have to go a long way to appreciate the ancient beauty. Every city in Pakistan, with exception of Islamabad has an ancient past waiting to be excavated and preserved for the coming generations to enjoy. When will we wake up, when will Pakistanis wake up and see realize our national assets?
So many secrets lay buried beneath Lahore. For those of you who have been there, you will agree when I saw that it is almost as if the Buildings there whisper to you as you walk by. We have barbarically muffled them by allowing time to ravage their beauty. What time couldn’t do, we did for it, by painting over handworked wooden masterpieces, layers and layers of cheap paint with graffiti on top. We broke what should have been delicately preserved, disrespected what deserved adoration. It is our own loss. And a monumental one at that. We don’t even quite understand what is it we’ve lost… part of our selves, of our identity, of the secrets of the ages. We are poorer for it.
This video wrenches the heart. Superbly done. May she rest in peace with her Shahzada.
Can some body send me the link to download this song. through web
I watched the new movie MughleAzam(Indian) the other day and then my daughter showed me Anarkli video by Shoaib Mansoor. Between the two the Shoaib’s production was much much much superior!
ALL THE BEST SHOAIB!
Anarkali is well done but surpisingly there is no mention of the far superior Supreme Ishq,the earlier video on Sufiism.
Does someone know where to find the video online.And lastly we all know the male performer in that video.Does someone know who is the girl playing in that video(The one in black robes).If you do pls reply at:
roxio24@gmail.com
Amazing video. Another great Shoaib Mansoor production.
Thanx for all of the details about Shoaib Mansoor…I was in my early teens when the Vital Signs video came out and sprung a ton of videos and started the pop music revolution (originally Nazia & Zoheb). I didnt know about the work on 50/50…that has been the best show (my opinion) that PTV has ever created.
Now this video, when I first saw on GEO a few months ago, seemed mega corny…matter of fact it had “Ethenol” written all over it. Thats why I switched the channel in the first thirty seconds…..my first thoughts were:
1. Somebody put a lot of money in this production !!!
2. Over-produced.
3. Whatsup with all this “Slow Motion” Kathak…If they dont know how to dance, then why are they in the video…or if the producer put them there, then why dance so slow ?
4. Its “too Indian” for me !!!
After I saw the video again on your blog, my reaction was the following:
1. Somebody put a lot of money in this production !!!
2. Detail, Detail, Detail…video seems almost realistic.
3. The story was depicted very eloquently.
4. I’m a big fan of Shoaib Mansoor
5. I really dislike the cast.
6. The singer is not that great. She couldve sung it much better.
This is spectacular. Highly reccomended. Give it a listen. Thanks Adil for putting it up