FG E-Newsletter Jul-Aug 2012 - FaizGhar

July-August 2012
Issue
CONTENTS
Summer School @
Faiz Ghar
Art Exhibition @ Faiz
Ghar
Chand Roz Aur Meri
Jaan
Seema Sehgal pays
Melodious Tribute to
Faiz
Aik Shaam Faiz Ke
Naam in Bangkok 2012
FG Yoga Group visits
Neelam Valley
Ismat Apa Ke Naam –
a theatrical
performance by
MOTLEY
Faiz Birthday
Celebrations 2012
Faiz Ghar Communiqué
A Quarterly E-Newsletter
SUMMER SCHOOL @ Faiz Ghar
Pictorial Overview of Art, Dance, Music & Kung Fu Classes

SUMMER SCHOOL @ Faiz Ghar
Art Exhibition
Parents’ Comments in Visitor’s Book at FG
Shazia Asim Mother of Hassan & Fatima
“It was an excellent experience for the kids to attend these summer classes at Faiz Ghar. We look
forward for another summer camp. Suggestions: There should be more sessions on music and dance.”
Asher Javed
“It is wonderful performance. A very good initiative for promotion of tradition. Teacher hard work,
dedication and students’ interest and their spirit of learning is excellent. Congratulation to the team.
Hope this will continue.”
Hanan W. (Rania & Ermena)
“Thank you to all the coaches @ Faiz Ghar for giving my kids a wonderful gift this summer.”
Sidra Minhas (Amaan and Ammar’s Mother)
“The summer school is ending with the exhibition and dance performance was a very colourful event
and the effort behind it is very visible. The children really enjoyed themselves and such creative and
healthy outlets are needed significantly for their holistic personality development.”
Dr. Affaqa Khalid Mother of Aali & Aalia
“It was a nice summer camp. kids enjoy a lot. Especially the arts and dance class was fund for the kids.
Suggestions: One new generation is very much lacking in their urdu knowledge. Kindly arrange Urdu
literacy classes for the kids.”
Mrs. Shama Salman
“It was a wonderful experience. Faiz Ghar and everything associated with it is so worthwhile. “
Sameera Shaikh
“The kids were very keen to attend summer school which shows that they have been properly engaged.”
Saleem Jalal
“It is a very good and interesting event. Performance of students shows the hard work of teachers.
Well done.”
Atiq I Ahmad
“The dance performance was extremely nice.”
Sarah Haider
“I think dance classes are good to enhance the confidence in children that’s why I bring my child here
but due to lack of time she could not give much as I was expecting from.”
Javaid
“It was a wonderful effort probably children need to be divided into the groups, older children and
younger children. Good Work.”

"Chand Roz Aur Meri Jaan”
One of the most enduring love stories of our time was recreated on stage in the play “Chand Roz Aur Meri Jaan”.
The protagonists - the great Urdu poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz (1911-1984) and his Irish wife, Alys - are not young
lovers but a much-married, middle-aged couple.
The India International Centre put up the play “Chand Roz Aur Meri Jaan” in June 2012. Directed by Salima Raza,
the play is a dramatized reading of the letters exchanged between Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Pakistan’s poet laureate and
one of the most important litterateurs of Urdu language, and his wife Alys, when he was imprisoned in Pakistan
between 1951 and 1955.
Combined with recitation and singing of Faiz’s verse, it showed how the letters nurture a partnership that can
hold out against oppression. Salima Raza played the role of Alys while Banwari Taneja played Faiz.
The play is based on the letters exchanged between Faiz and Alys between 1951 and 1954 when Faiz was
incarcerated for the Rawalpindi Conspiracy Case. Says the writer and director of the play Salima Raza, "The
letters, like his work, reveal how Faiz, then in his early 50s, lived two lives - that of a romantic as well as a
revolutionary - with the same amount of passion. Sharing his concerns was Alys, a poet in her own right. In fact,
many believe that without her support and encouragement, Faiz might not have scaled the dazzling heights he
did."
Alys met Faiz, who was teaching at MAO College, when she came to visit her elder sister Christobel in Amritsar.
Once the two decided to get married, there was some resistance from Faiz's family who wanted him to marry
someone who'd bring in land as dowry. In a recent interview, Alys, who passed away in 2003, said it was Faiz's
sister who made the family come around by suggesting that the two would have very beautiful children. Once
they relented, Faiz and Alys, who converted to Islam and became Kulsoom, married in 1941. "Their camaraderie
was like a meeting of souls.
Alys, like Faiz, was as intelligent, passionate and as committed
to love as to their common cause - the upliftment of the poor
and deprived," says Raza. The idea for Chand Roz Aur Meri Jaan
came up during Faiz's centenary celebrations last year. "He was
being celebrated across the world with recitations of his poetry,
ghazals and musical evenings," says Raza. "In my tribute, I
wanted youngsters to get an understanding of the man as he
was."
Actively involved with theatre since 1958, Raza wanted to tackle
the subject differently. "The idea was to make the letters
(written in English), not poetry or music, the protagonists," she
explains. "It was tough, I had to be very harsh with myself
because his poetry is something that's difficult to resist. Also, I
did not want the audience to feel cheated about not being given
yet another chance to listen to his poetry. So, in between the
'musicality of their conversation', we have woven in bits of
ghazals by Begum Akhtar, Iqbal Bano and Nayyara Noor. So, it's
like a montage of performance, narration and music."
The curtain goes up on a stage split into two - one part is the
poet's prison cell where he sits at his writing table and the
other, is his home in Lahore, where Alys is. Their life comes alive
through their exchanges (Faiz: "I have realised for the first time
that to give grief to my loved ones over some things which I
believe in but has no meaning for others is totally incorrect and
immoral") and the everyday problems of running the home on a
limited budget, the loneliness of separation (Alys mentions a
explains. "It was tough, I had to be very harsh with myself because his poetry is something
that's difficult to resist. Also, I did not want the audience to feel cheated about not being
given yet another chance to listen to his poetry. So, in between the 'musicality of their
conversation', we have woven in bits of ghazals by Begum Akhtar, Iqbal Bano and Nayyara
Noor. So, it's like a montage of performance, narration and music."
The curtain goes up on a stage split into two - one part is the poet's prison cell where he
sits at his writing table and the other, is his home in Lahore, where Alys is. Their life comes
alive through their exchanges (Faiz: "I have realised for the first time that to give grief to
my loved ones over some things which I believe in but has no meaning for others is totally
incorrect and immoral") and the everyday problems of running the home on a limited
budget, the loneliness of separation (Alys mentions a friend asking her if sex worried her?
To which she replies, 'Sex does not worry me, but its absence does' ), love (Faiz: "How do I
put down the relationship between you and me, for, in the language of love, it is not
imprinted anywhere" ), the weather (Faiz misses not being able to see and smell the rain),
his "mehboob shaher" (beloved city) Lahore where the two lived after Partition, weight
problems, hair loss and of course their two daughters, Salima and Moneeza.
The play has been produced by the Wings Cultural Society, that was started in 2009 by a
group of theatre enthusiasts mentored by Salima Raza, with the sole intention of, in the
words of one of its founding members Tarique Hameed, "saving Urdu from going into
oblivion". And among the productions staged by the group are adaptions of Roald Dahl and
Brecht in "simple audience-friendly Urdu that is managing to endear itself to youngsters".
The performance, “Chand Roz Aur Meri Jaan” is coming to Lahore in February 2013 as a
part of the 102 nd birthday celebrations of Faiz Ahmed Faiz.

Seema Sehgal Pays Medlodious Tribute to Faiz
Chandigarh, May 2012
Mumbai-based renowned singer and music composer Seema Anil Sehgal gave a special treat to music lovers of city beautiful with the
rendition of some of the finest poems of legendary Urdu poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz at Tagore Theatre here this evening at a special concert
“Zard Patton Ka Ban” organized by Pracheen Kala Kendra to mark 101 st birth year of legendary Urdu poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz who is hailed
as one of the most popular poets of Indian sub-continent.
Seema has earlier sung exclusive solo concerts of Faiz at New York, London and other important venues across Europe and India. She
was recently in Lahore at the invitation of Faiz Foundation and regaled the Pakistanis with the poetry of their beloved poet.
Seema sang seven nazms and six ghazals of Faiz especially composed by her, and her actor-writer-singer son Kartikey. The young and
talented Kartikey has composed hugely popular nazm of Faiz, “Mujhse pahli si mohabbat mere mehboob na maang”, in a style that is
easy and charming to the ear. This nazm was very enchantingly sung by Seema and was greatly appreciated by the audience. Seema
laced her compositions with adequate nuances of classical Indian music in which she holds two post graduate degrees. Her control of
tune and rhythm was excellent.
City music lovers will always remember extremely beautiful composition of Seema singing “Shaam-e-Firaq ab na pooch” in Raga Bhupali
which was followed by “Hum Musafir yoon hi mushroof-e-safar jayenge” beautifully composed in Raga Charukeshi. These ghazals have
not been sung by singers even in Pakistan.
It is not easy to compose and sing free verse of a poet like Faiz who is better known for his popular ghazal and Seema is a recognized
master composer of free verse.
It certainly was a rare treat to hear Seema sing Faiz in a style that is
evocative and profusely embellished with nuances of classical Indian music
and a generous mix of folk music. Pracheen Kala Kendra deserves grateful
kudos from lovers of music and poetry for presenting a singer of world
repute like Seema Anil Sehgal who happens to be the only singer in the
world whose voice has been presented as a national gift. Prime Minister
Atal Bihari Vajpayee made international headlines when he presented
“SARHAD”, a music album sung and composed by Seema Anil Sehgal to his
erstwhile Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif during Lahore Summit in
February 1999.
She concluded concluded her her exclusive exclusive concert concert with an with extremely an extremely melodious melodious rendition “Nazr-e-Khusro in Raga Bharavi amidst thunderous applause
rendition by highly appreciative “Nazr-e-Khusro audience. in Raga The Bharavi singer amidst made thunderous a special remark applause and paid by tribute to the learned audience when she said, “it is a great
highly privilege appreciative to sing before audience. learned The and singer appreciative made a audience special remark of Chandigarh and paid and I look forward to come back again with another concert
tribute soon”. to the learned audience when she said, “it is a great privilege to
sing She was before accompanied learned and by appreciative Avirbhav Verma audience (Tabla), of Surinder Chandigarh (Guitar), and Gurvinder I look on Casio, Mujtaba Hussain (Flute) and Rakesh Mahajan on
forward Harmonium. to come Shagufta back again Yasmin with from another Delhi compere concert soon”. the programme.
She Shri Shivraj was accompanied V. Patil, Governor by Avirbhav of Punjab Verma and Administrator, (Tabla), Surinder UT Chandigarh (Guitar), was the Chief Guest of the function and honoured the artists.
Gurvinder on Casio, Mujtaba Hussain (Flute) and Rakesh Mahajan on
The Punjab Governor and Administrator U T Chandigarh, Mr Shivraj
Harmonium. Shagufta Yasmin from Delhi compere the programme.
V. Patil, honouring eminent singer Seema Anil Sehgal, after
Shri Shivraj V. Patil, Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT Chandigarh inaugurating the special musical concert "Zard Patton Ka Ban"
was the Chief Guest of the function and honoured the artists.
organized by Pracheen Kala Kendra to celebrate 101st birth year of
great Urdu poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz at Tagore Theatre, Chandigarh.
May 2012

Aik Shaam Faiz Ke Naam
in
BANGKOK, 2012
Faiz Ghar Yoga Group Visits Neelam Valley
A 32-member Faiz Ghar Yoga Group spent four days in the
scenic Neelam Valley on its annual summer trip. They stayed
at the Kiran Tourist Complex courtesy of the AJK Tourist
Department, alongside the Neelam River, facing Indian
Kashmir. The group trekked to the Neelam Village, and went
on a guided tour of Sharda, where they saw the remains of a
5000 years old Buddhist University and a Monastery. Every
morning the group attended a structured yoga programme
designed by Yogi Shamshad Haider, and attended musical
performances every night conducted by group members,
including two guitarists, keyboard and tabla players, and
plenty of singers. A number of tourist officials who facilitated
the tour turned out to be avid fans of Faiz.

Faiz Ghar is a project of
the Faiz Foundation Trust,
a registered non-profit
organization devoted to
the promotion of the
progressive & humanistic
ideas of Faiz Ahmed Faiz.
For membership form
and details contact
Faiz Ghar, 126/F, Model
Town (042-5835289)
from 10.00 a.m. to 1.30
p.m. (except Tuesdays)
Or visit our website:
www.faizghar.net
ISMAT APA KE NAAM – a theatrical performance by MOTLEY
“Ismat Apa Ke Naam” is Motley’s first Hindustani language production of three of Ismat Khanum Chughtai’s short
stories presented as solo enactments. It was recently performed in India and is coming to Lahore in December
2012 to commemorate Saadat Hassan Manto's Centennial with Faiz's poetry as a highlight. This theatrical
performance is a tribute to the witty, wise, warm, wonderful woman; truly a unique and amazing writer.
1) ‘Gharwali’ told by Naseeruddin Shah, is a heady satire on the institution of marriage, as well as on the social
mores of the times (the 40’s).
2) ‘Chhui Muee’ told by Heeba Shah, is a tribute to the power of the rural woman, expressed through an incident
of a childbirth witnessed by three fascinated and differently affected women, in a train compartment.
3) ‘Mughal Bachcha’ told by Ratna Pathak Shah, talks about the so-called ‘successors’ of the great Mughals, in the
time of the British Raj, unable to come to terms with their declining status and desperately clinging on to the
tattered remnants of their ancestors’ past glory.
MOTLEY - a creative theatrical journey of 30 years
Motley was formed by Naseeruddin Shah & Benjamin Gilani in 1979. Right from 1979 till date, Motley has
brought every possible genre of drama to audiences of professional theatre across the length and breadth of
India, and has performed to student audiences as well. With ‘story-telling’ theatre, Motley has found its niche
and is serving the purposes of both entertainment as well as education.
This year Motley completes 30 years. In these three decades, starting from a three-member team, Motley has
truly ripened into a full-fledged theatre company. Naseeruddin Shah says, “When Motley began, we didn’t think
beyond that first production. In a quick fade-out, thirty years and almost that many productions have gone by”.
FAIZ Birthday Celebrations 2012
Message by
NASEERUDDIN SHAH
“Mumbai’s Motley Company is
delighted to be performing the play
“Ismat Apa Ke Naam” (part 1 &
2) in Lahore on 1 st & 2 nd December
for the benefit of Faiz Foundation.
Though these ‘tellings’ of the
stories of Ismat Chughtai were
originally conceived as a
celebration of that great writer, we
are proud to pay tribute, through
them, to the visionary and social
activist Faiz Ahmad Faiz sahib and
are honoured to be associated with
his name, one of the unifying
factors among our two countries.
We also welcome this opportunity
to reach out to student audiences
and theatre lovers in Pakistan.”
Shyam Benegal Film Festival – 4 th to 7 th October 2012 at HRCP Auditorium. (The director will present his films & hold a dialogue with the audience)
A theatrical performance by NASEERUDDIN SHAH’s theatre group MOTLEY, “Ismat Apa Ke Naam” (2 separate performances) to
commemorate SAADAT HASSAN MANTO'S CENTENNIAL with FAIZ's poetry as a highlight – 1 st & 2 nd December 2012 (Alhamra Hall-1)
Dastaan Goi - 8 th December 2012 (Alhamra Hall-2)
“Chand Roz Aur Meri Jaan” – Theatrical performance of Letters of Faiz & Alys by Wings Cultural Society from Delhi – February 2013
Faiz Memorial lecture by ARUNDHATI ROY (Date to be announced later)
Classical Music Concert by Shobha Mudgal – (Date to be announced later)