DOHA TALK of a self-taught poet, or look at Abdul Razzaq Saddaf, it’s all the same. With three collections of his poems already published, this man, who arrived in Doha in 1976 in quest of a brighter future, is a living proof that formal education is not needed to pursue one’s indulge for literature.
In course of his long stay in the city, Saddaf, who comes from a humble background in Pakistan’s Sahiwal district, has not only come to own a number of electronic equipment repairing workshops, but also carved out a niche for himself as a poet of substance.
While one feat of the two would be enough for most to give a good account of their success in life, Saddaf has by dint of his work and wit been able to achieve both.
Raja Ghulam Murtaza Abbasi, a blind linguist based in Rawalpindi, not only inspired him to study literature but also arranged his Qatari visa.
“I am really indebted to Raja Ghulam Murtaza Abbasi for his love and affection,” said Saddaf, whose sons Fazal Saeed and Saboor are currently running the business.
Having learnt the rudiments of Urdu poetry from late Wali Aasi Lakhnawi (a renowned poet of the subcontinent) Saddaf joined different literary organisations in Qatar including Bazm-e-Urdu Qatar, Pakistan Writer’s Forum and Pakistan Welfare Council, to purse his passion. He is currently president of Pasban-e-Adab. He is also a member of the Rotary Club, Sahiwal.
Sadaf represented Qatar in an Indo-Pakistani Urdu Mushaira in Dubai, which was attended by noted poets from India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE. During his recent visit to Pakistan, Sadaf, also attended poetic sessions as a special guest at Gujrat, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Multan, and Sahiwal and received special coverage in Urdu magazines and newspapers.
He also attended a mushaira held recently in Ajman, UAE, in connection with the celebrations of the Pakistan Day. “I am obliged to Chaudhary Noor-ul-Hassan Tanvir for inviting me to the function to represent Doha poets in the high-profile literary event,” he said. The function was organised by the UAE chapter of Pakistan Muslim League (N).
Saddaf’s first book Azab-e- Aashnai, a collection of ghazals, a popular form of Urdu poetry, was published in 2001. Its revised edition was published in 2005. Saddaf dedicated his first book to his mentor, Raja Ghulam Murtaza Abbasi. It carries valuable comments by literary icons like Zia Jalandahri and Masoud Anwar.
His second book titled Taloo-e- Noor has 144 pages and contains hamd, naat and salam.
Saddaf dedicated his third collection of poems Deeda-e-Namnaak to Chaudhary Noorul Hassan Tanvir, a UAE-based Pakistani social activist.
Noted literary personalities of Indian subcontinent have written reviews of Saddaf’s books and highly appreciated his poetry. They have called him a poet of substance and noted that Saddaf’s poetry is a welcome addition in the Urdu literary world. Pakistan’s well-known writer Ataul Haq Qasmi has written a column in a leading Urdu newspaper on the life and achievements of Saddaf.
Asked if mushairas played any role in promotion of Urdu language, Saddaf replied in the affirmative and said: “Mushairas have played a major role in propagating Urdu literature.
Mushairas have an invisible element of entertainment, and that is why these are becoming increasingly popular even among those who cannot read and write Urdu. Besides this, mushairas give a boost to poets writing in Urdu,” said Saddaf.
Post a Comment
Post a Comment