Anwar Maqsood belongs to a Pakistani family that has made huge contribution to civil society. Either through social activism or conscious efforts through Television, Anwar Maqsood has articulated and defined the ethos of modern pakistaniat. So what better place to express my admiration for his latest work than Pakistaniat.com.
Anwar Maqsood is hugely popular these days thanks to “Loose Talk�, a comedy show on ARY. Indeed this is the facet of his personality for which he has earned fame. That of a leading writer of comedy shows & television presenter. But he is a far better writer of serious prose than he gets credit for.
One often hears people describing how their lives were impacted or shaped by a piece of literature; a verse or a play. For me, it was a PTV long play by Mr. Maqsood called Daur-E-Junoon aired in 1986.
Mr. Maqsood’s siblings Fatima Surraiya Bajiya and Zehra Nigah are blessed with God-gifted genius especially the latter whose poems are replete with social and political content. Faiz sahib, it is said, insisted that Zehra Nigah recited her poems in taranum whenever he visited her home in London in the late 70’s. What can be a greater compliment?
What drove me to muster my courage to write to Pakistaniat.com is a video by the Pakistani band The Strings. The track is called “Beirutâà ƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚¬Ã‚? lyrics are credited to Anwar Maqsood.
Bilal Maqsood, (lead guitar/back-up vocals), Anwar Maqsood’s son lives upto the family tradition of creative output of highest order. Lead vocals are played by Faisal Kapadia and he does a magnificent job by rendering “Beirutâà ƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚¬Ã‚? in a heart-moving fashion.
The track heralds the coming of age of Pakistani pop music and all credit goes to The Strings for highlighting the plight of Lebanese people.
Naveed Siraj blogs about a variety of subjects, but especially sufi poetry and music at Rambling On.
Few of the most beautiful and serious plays I saw on pakistani tv were writtern by him. I am thinking of ye kahan ki dosti he, mirza and sons (aired from lahore), sitara aur mehrunisaa, etc. In fact Zehra Nigah does play back singing in ye kahan ki dosti he (Huma Akbar and Rahat Kazmi I think gave the performance of their life in that play). Anwar’s bread and butter, by the way, is his painting talent. Has a set clientele who waits in line to buy his works.
A very throughtful song. Thank for sharing.
On Anwar Masqsood: Nothing can ever beat the wit and humor of Aangan Tera. Classic creation by the man.
Indeed Anwar Maqsood’s contributions to Pakistani literature and media are invaluable. Thank you Naveed Siraj for the tribute you have paid to him and his other family members who are all great artists in their own right. I think his most significant work has been introducing political satire to Pakistan television in times when criticising the ruling elites was considered an unforgivable sin. Shoaib Hashemi is the only other name that comes to my mind in this context. However, the troubling thought is that there is no such artist in the new generation in electronic media and entertainment world in Pakistan. Or may be I am not aware of one.
Also thank you for posting this very moving video from Strings.
Naveed, What a beautiful song/video, and what a poinant post. Thank you for this. This is certainly what is Pakistaniat.
Anwar Maqsood’s humor is etched into my memory for life. and I knew even when I was a kid that when someone as humorous as Anwar Maqsood puts on a serious face, one should listen carefully to his message. In this video, he does the same.
anwar maqsood from PIB COLONY and so m I !!
insperational personality and family indeed…
I think his wife and his daughter are involved in the media industry….