"Tab Yaad Tumhen Kaun aata hai?"

Jab Raston Main Sare Aam, Yu Hi Chalte hue

Koi Mahobbat Nahi karta, Na kuch Jatataa hai

Tab Yaad Tumhen Kaun aata hai?

Jab Kisi Saneechar Ki Subah Tumhare Bistar par

Koi Banaa Kar Nashta Nahi Laataa, Na Khilata hai

Tab Yaad Tumhen Kaun aata hai?

  

Jab Tumhari Aankhon par, Muskurahoton par

Koi Nazmen  Nahi kehta, Na hi Gungunata Hai

Tab Yaad Tumhen Kaun aata hai?

Jab Umr Main Ek Baras Aur Jama Ho Jaane Par

Tumhen Haseen, Aur Haseen Tar Nahi Batlata Hai

Tab Yaad Tumhen Kaun aata hai?

Jab Tumhare Jazbon ki Shiddat, Wafa aur Shoki ke

Kuch Qisse Duniya ko Nahi Sunwataa, Na Batata Hai

Tab Yaad Tumhen Kaun aata hai?

Jab Rotiyan Banate Waqt Aaye Hue Zakhmo par

Koi Afsos Nahi karta, Aur Na Lipat Jata Hai

Tab Yaad Tumhen Kaun aata hai?

Udaas Dekh kar Tum ko  Sare Shaam Jab Koi

Khamoshiyan Nahi Sunta, Na Samajh Jata Haai

Tab Yaad Tumhen Kaun aata hai?

Jab Tum Bazar se Laane ke liye kuch Kehti ho

Janab who to Nahi Laataa, kuch aur liye aata hai

Tab Yaad Tumhen Kaun aata hai?

Bagair Baatye Jab Koi Office Tumahre Aataa hai

Tum Use Dekh Khil Jaati ho, Who Muskata Hai

Tab Yaad Tumhen Kaun aata hai?

Badi Khareedari Ko Taalne, Pasie Bachane ke Liye

Chikni Chapdi Baaten koi karta hai, Na Ithlata hai

Tab Yaad Tumhen Kaun aata hai?

“Main Aap ke Liye Poori Duniya se Lad Sakti Hoon”

Ye Keh Hue, scohe Hue Ik zamana sa Hua jataa Hai

Tab Yaad Tumhen Kaun aata hai?

Hazaron Meel ke Fasloon, Itni Doori ke baa- wajood

Koi Tumhare Din raat, Subah Shaam Samajh Jataa hai

Tab Yaad Tumhen Kaun aata hai?

Jab Dasht-e-Tanhayee main Bhatakta Hua koi Shair

Wohi  Gurzri Baaten Sochta Hai, Dohrata Hai

Tab Yaad Tumhen Kaun aata hai?

(C) Shahid Parvez Sayed, August 31st, 2013 @ 2:30 am

Do Qabren..

Koi Din

Ajnabi Desh Main Chand Log

Kisi Weekend Ko

Tumhen Ek Khubsurat Qabrastan ki 

Thandi Zameen main

Mehakte Hue Casket main Lita Kar

Ek Qabar ke Hawale Har Denge

Main Yahin Kisi Poorane Qabrastan ki

Khamoshi ka Hissa

Ujlat aur Be Hurmati se Bana Diya Jaoonga

Yaani Marne ke Baad bhi Bum

Door, Bahut Door Dafan Honge..

Ye Batao, 

Ab Kis Ummed Pe Marna Hoga?

(C) Shahid Parvez Sayed, August 28th, 2013, 5:10 PM

Ghar...

Tum 

Woh ke Jisko Ek Ghar Ki 

Hamesha Arzoo Thi

Shahr Ki Tnahaiyon Main

Ek Chota, Apna Sa Ghar

Jahan Hukum Tumhara Chale

Jis Ke Siyah  aur Safed Ki 

Maalik Bas EkTum Hi Ho

Main, 

Ek Shair e Sarkash, Baghi, Awara Mijaaz

Jise Duniya Ki 

Farsuda Riwayat Se Nafrat Rahi Hamesha

Main Bhala Tumhe Koi Ghar Kiyoon Kar Deta?

Mera Ye Manna Hai

Mera Ghar, Mera Mahollah, Mera Watan, Meri Jaat

Woh Ped Hain ke Jin Main

Tassub aur Nafrat Ke Phal hain Panapte 

Mujhe To Is Duniya se 

Kuch Is Trah Guzar tha Jana

Ke Mano Main tha Hi Nahi

Ke Jaise Kuch Hua Hi Nahi

Main Tumhen Ghar Kiyoon Kar Deta?

Par

Itne Baras Baad Ye Ehsaas Ab Hua

Ke Ghar To Main Ne Tum Ko

Un Dino Hi Tha diya

Woh Ghar Dekho Jis Main

 Tumhara Hukum Hai Chalta

Jiski Siyah  aur Safed Ki 

Maalik Bas Ek Tum Hi Ho

Woh Chota, Apna Sa Ghar

Mera Dil Hai 

Aye Meri Jaane Jahan

Ho Sake to Ek Baar Is main

Basne Phir Chali Aana.....

(C) Shahid Parvez Sayed, Auguist 26th, 2013, 10:15 am

Sayed - Zaadi...

Aur Jab Shahr Ke Akalmandon ne

Meri Tasveer Pe Aitraaz Kiya

Chupa Di thi Tum Ne Woh Tasveer Meri

Ek Hukum Aur Aayaa Phir

Ke Ab Naam Bhi Badalna Hoga

Tum Is Baat Pe Biphar Gayin 

Kiya Zaroori Hai Ye?

Woh Naam Mujhe Pasand Hai Bahut

Main Naam Nahi Tabdeel Karoongi

Aaj Shahr Ke Akalmand Mutmain Hain

Ke Jo Kiya Accha Kiya

Sirf Mujhe Pata Hai aur Tumhen Bhi

Ke US Shhahr Main 

Ab Ek Naye Label Ke Sath

Ek Sayed - Zaadi Rehti Hai

Chaand Ka Peecha....

Yaad hai Un Dino

Tumhari Zulf ki Trah

Bal Khaahti, Lehrati, Shaffaf Sadak Par Hum

Chaand Ka Peecha Karte The!

Sadak Ke Mudte Hi woh bhi

Kabhi Tumhari Taraf aur 

Kabhi Meri Taraf Chala aataa tha

Phir Ek Raat

Ek Teele Par Motor Rok Kar Main ne

Tum se Kaha tha 

"Woh Raha Tumhara Chaand!"

Aur Tum ne 

Apni Peshani Mere Seene Se laga kar

"Mera Chaand Yahan Hai" 

Confirm kiya tha...

Bagair Chaand Dekhe Eid Kaisi Hoti Hai?

Bas Ye Batla do...

(C) Shahid Parvez Sayed, 9-8-13 @2:30am

Labels.....

Mukhtasar Si Judayi par

Kahin Jaate Waqt Tum

Hamesha Kitchen Ke Lawzmaat Par

Pehchan ke Liye Label Laga diya Karti thin

Shakr, Namak, Aata, Daal...

Aur Phir Ghar se Airport Tak 

Hidayeten Detin ke

 Kaun Si Cheez Kahan Rakhi hai

Aur Ye Shikyat Bhi Ke

Itna La-Parwah kiyoon Ho Gayaa Hoon main?

Suno, Aaj Suabh Se Woh Dabba Nahi Mil Raha hai

Jis Par Tum ne Kahin Jaate Waqt 

Ye Label Lagaya tha

Zindagi!

Is Martaba to Ye Judaii Khatam Na Hone Wali

Kuch Yaad Hai

 Kahan Rakha tha Tum ne Use?

Aaj Subah se...

(C) Shahid Parvez Sayed, 20-7-2013

Dimaag...

Khwabon Main Hamen Ab Door Door Rakhta Hai

Kambakht Dimaag Ne Bhi Tumhara Saath Chod Diya

(C) Shahid Parvez Sayed, July 15th, 2013

Andhere ka safar...

Tanhaa Zaroor hoon, par Himmat Nahi Haari Hai

Woh Aur Baat hai ke Andhere ka Safar Jaari hai..

(C) Shahid Parvez Sayed

Aaj....

Mausam Vibagh ka Kehna hai ke

Aaj

Poora Din Yu hi Barsat hogi

Gulabi Sardi aur Badh Jayegi

Aur Saamne wali building ke ek ghonsle main 

Do Kabootar ek doosre main Ghus jaynge

Aankhen Band kar lenge

Aur Girti Boundon ki Jaltrang sunenge

Umoman Din ke Auqaat main 

Is Trah ki Harkat pe Naraz Hone wali Kabootri

Aaj Mazhamat na karegi...

Aaj Poora Din Barsat Yu hi Hogi..

Aaj Poora Din Tum Yaad Bahut aaogi

Mausam Vibagh bhi Yehi Kehta hai

Aaj....

(C) Shahid Parvez Sayed, July 12th 2013

Tanhaa....

Tumharaa Woh Ek Aansoo

Jo Bichadte Waqt Main

Apne Sath Liye Aayaa tha

Tanhaa Nahi hai Ab

Tumhari Yaad Par In Dino

Us Ka Sath Nibhaane 

Aur Bahut se Aansoo Nikal Aate hain

Khoob Jamti hai Phir in Sab Yaron Main

Der Raat Charche Jo Hua Karte Hain

Tumhari Mahobbat ki Shiddat ke

Tumhare Lafzon Ke Maani ke
Tumhare Jazbaat ki Hidaat Ke

Tumharaa Woh Ek Aansoo 

Tanhaa Nahi Hai Ab

Koi Bhi, Tanhaa Nahi Hai Ab!!

(C) Shahid Parvez Sayed, June 24th, 2013 @ 10 pm

Meri Zindagi....

Yaden Fana nahi hoti

Yaaden Zindagi Banti hain

Kiyoon ke Har Guzarta Hua Lamha

Bagair Kisi Shartton ke 

Hamari Zindagi se Guzar kar

Apna kirdaar Nibha Chuka hota hai

Aur Ye to Mutsaqbil hai Jo

Haqeeqat Pasandi ka Chashma Lagaye 

Door se Sab Dekha Kartaa hai

Halaat Sazgaar Hone ka Intezaar Karta hai

Par Yaaden Fana Nahi Hoti

Woh Sar Jhukaye 

Jab Bulaya Chali aati hain

Yaden Zindagi Hoti Hain

Itne Baras Baad hi Sahi

Ab to Tum Bahut Khush hogi

Aakhir Kaar Ke ab Tum hi

Meri Zindagi ho!

A City by the river...

Years ago while driving thru a small town, US the Maqtaa for this ghazal descended upon me. I posted it on my blog but chose not pursue the entire ghazal. Today, after so many years I thought what the heck.....I aint gonna feel apologetic about a certain town by the river....I might as well celebrate its existence in my life...so here is the ghazal with remaining ashaar. Enjoy.

Sulagti Yaadon ka Dariya Udhar Jo Behta hai

Zaroor Wahin Kahin Ek Be-Wafa bhi Rehtaa hai

Bin Chaand Siyah Raaten Apna Muqaddar to hain

Aasman pe Uske Andhera magar kiyoon rehtaa hai?

"Itne Baras baad bhi main, Tum ko Samajh na Paayi!"

Kal Kehtaa tha woh, Suna hai , Ab Bhi Yehi Kehta hai

(C) Shahid Parvez Sayed, May 15th, 2013

Naqshaa Pe Bani Chand Lakeeren..

Naqshe Par Bani 

Aadhi Tirchi Chand lakeeren 

Kahan Kahan hamen le Gayin!

kisi Door Aftada ek Motel Ki taraf

Ya kisi college town ke  restaurant tak

To Kabhi Dariya Pe Base ek Shhar ki Jaanib

Jo Hamen Apne Watan ki Yaad Dilayaa kartaa tha

Aur Phir Shaam Dhalne Se Pehle 

Yehi Lakeeren, Wapas  Hamen

Apne Ghar Pahnucah Diya Karti Thin

Hamari Sari Duniya Un Naqshon Main Hi to Thi

Albatta Woh Ghar Ab wahan Nahi Hoga

Woh Bhi Hum Dono Main Thoda Thoda Bant kar

Alag Alag Raston Pe Nikal gyaa Hoga

Woh Raaste,  Jo Us Naqshe main Nahi the

Woh Raaste,  jo Us Naqshe main Nahi hain

Shaam Hone ko hai......

(C) Shahid Parvez Sayed, May 10th 2013 @1:30 am

Maa...

Sach  Puchiye to

Aadmi ki Itni badi Ye zindagi 

Sirf Do Aurton ki Muhtaaj Hoti hai

Ek woh 

Jo use Apni Jaan bhi De kar 

Is Haseen Duniya main le aati hai

Parwaan Chadati hai

Aur Doosri Woh Jo

Dauraan-e-safar, ek Wafa daar Dost ki trah

Kabhi Dukh main,  Sukh main

Kabhi Mehfil Main,  Tanhyaee main

Har Trah Saath Nibhati hai

TUM Jaa Chuki Ho

WOH Jaa Rahi hain

DUA Karna!!

(C) Shahid Parvez Sayed, April 26, 2013, 7pm

Be-Ghar...

Tum ne Us Ghar ki Deewaron par

Meri Tasveeren Laga Rakhi thin

Tum Kahaa Karti thin ke

Jab Main Ghar Nahi Hota to 

Woh Deewaren Bolti hain

IS Ghar main bhi Tasveeren lagi hain

US ghar main Roshni bhi

Tumhari Pasand ke Rang Audh ke Aati

IS ghar main bhi Wohi Rang hain Us ke

US ghar ke Lamp, Wind Chimes, Sofa set, aur Bartan

Sab Tumhari Pasand ke hote the 

Is ghar main bhi wohi  hian

Ye Ghar Bilkul Waisa hi Hai 

Jaisa Tum Rakhaa Karti thin

Farak Bas Itna ke

IS Ghar Main Bilkul Be-Ghar Hoon Main!

(C) Shahid Parvez Sayed, April 15, 2013

Ghar...

Woh Chota sa Ghar Bhaut Accha tha...

Ek Bade Se Ghar main Rehte Hue 

Ek Din Tum ne Yu hi Kahaa tha

"Bedroom , Hall, Gallery aur kitchen

Har Jagah se Main Tumhen 

Dekh to Sakti thi

Is bade Ghar Main Tum Dikhayee Nahi Dete

Mujhe Accha nahi Lagtaa

Woh Chota Sa Ghar Bachut Accha tha!"

Suno!

Ye to Batao...

In Dino Tum Kis Trah Jeeti Ho?

aur Kiya Wakai Ab tum Jeeti Ho?

(c) Shahid Parvez Sayed, April 15, 2013

Gangaa meri....

Aye Gangaa Meri...

Hazaron Saal se Isi  Muqaam se Beh kar 

Jaane Kaise Kaise Manzar Dekhen Honge
Sukh ke, Dukh ke aur bhi bahut

Aur phir

Kisi Sugadh Aurat ki Trah Tum ne

Un Sab ko Apne Seene main Samo Liya hoga

Jaise ke Kuch hua hi Na tha...

To Phir us Manzar ko Bahaa kiyoon na Le gayin?

Jab Ek Joda Kinaare Tumhare Utra tha

Jab Mehndi ke Rang Taaza the

Aur Armaano Ka Dera Tha

Jab Kehkahye aur Sargoshiyon ne

Kitne Khwabon ko Ghera tha

Jab Kisi ki Muskurahat ne

Noor Thumhare Chere pe bhi to Bikheraa tha!

Itne Baras baad Woh Manzar 

Aaj bhi wahin Pe Rehta  hai

Main Khud Use Dekh Kar Ke lauta hoon

Meri Mano to, Aye Gangaa Meri

Jis Trah Waqt Ke Bahao ne 

Us Jode ko Alag Alag Kinaro Pe Utaara hai

Tum bhi Us Manzar ko bahaa  Le Jao 

Aur Is Raaz ko aur Raazon Ki Trah

Apne Seene main Samaa Jaane do

Ab Is Manzar ko Beh  bhi Jaane do!!

(C)Shahid Parvez Sayed, April 13th, 2013

Rishwat...

Waqt Marham hai, JHo Guzar kar Aksar

Har Zakham, Har Baat bhiula detaa hai

Par Tumhari yaadon ko is ne

Yu zinda Rakha hai jaise

Kal hi ki baat ho

Jaise ke Tum Nahaa kar nikogi abhi

Aur Paa kar muntazir mujhe

Junjhlaogi, phir kuch soch kar sharmaogi

Ya Phir

Is Saneechar bhi mujhe kaam par jana hoga

Aur Der raat lautne pe mere

Khwaabeeda un aankhon se darwaza khologi, Bataogi

"Intezaar karte hue abhi aankh lagi thi"

Aur ya phir

Aakhri Baar mujhe Rukhsat karne ke liye

Ghar ki Gallery main aa kar Tum

Bade sukoon se Hath Yun Hilaogi, Muskuraogi

Jaise ke Ye Mulaqat aakhri na thi

Waqt ka Kaam hi hai 

ke woh Guzar kar Aksar

Saare Tasveeren, Sab Nishaan mitaa deta hai

Lekin is baar

Aisa kuch nahi kiya Waqt ne

Hamen ab Tak sang Rakha hai Waqt ne

Kahin Tum ne Is ko Rishwat to na di thi?

(C) Shahid Parvez Sayed, April 5th, 2013

Woh Muqaam....

Jis Muqaam Par
Sadiyon se safar kar rahe Sailaani
Thakan se Choor, aur Tanhaiyon se haar kar
Dhoop ki Shiddat
Raaston ki Wehshton, Zulmaton se Tang Aa kar
Pichli Ruton ki Wafayen, Shaadmaniyan aur
Apne Watan ki Be-Baak Mahobaten Yaad Karte hain
Phir Wahin Laut Jaate hain...

Usi Muqaam se
Bas Usi Muqaam se....
Mera Aaghaz-e-Safar Hota hai...

(C) Shahid Parvez Sayed, March 8th, 2013

Woh Khwaab...

Tum ne Kinaraa Dhoondh liya hai
Kitna Accha Kaam kiya hai!!

Par Ye to batao...
Woh jo Hum se Mila karte the
Kabhi Budhe Bargad ke Neeche
Us ghane jungle ke peeche
Kabhi phoolon ki Kalyari main
Kabhi Khandar main, Kisi Baadi main
Kabhi kisi Mahal Shaha-Jahani main
Haan Usi Behti Jamunaa ke Peeche
Kabhi aati hui Baharon main
Kabhi Baarish ki Phuwaaron main
Kabhi Barfeeli un Raaton main
Kisi Lazy Sunday ki Shamon main
Acche Khaase Naam the Un ke
Chere Bhole Bhaale the
wohi jo Meri Aankhen aur
Tumhari Shoukhi Pehan kar
Aksar Hum se milte the

Kahan hain ab woh Kis haal main hain?
Ab Kis ki Panah main There hain?
Ab Kaun Unhen Behlata hai?
Kaun Apni Neenden De kar
Unhen Saari Raat Sulata hai?
Mil Jayen Agar woh Tum se kahin to
Mera Pata hi De dena
Aur Kehna..
Mujh se milen
Main AAJ bhi Waade Nibhataa hoon...

(c) Shahid Parvez Sayed, March 1st, 2012

Tumhaare baad...

Tumhare baad

Meri Galtiyon Par Khilkhila kar Hansne Aur

Un ka Mazaak udane wala bhi koi nahi Raha

Bahut Lihaaz karte hain sab yahan

Bas Ye Ittefaaq hai ke 

Tumhare baad

Meri Galtiyan bhi badh gayi hain

(C)Shahid Parvez Sayed

Aitraaf - e - Shikast

Chalo agar main ye Aitraaf kar bhi loon ke
Tum se Bichad kar Jeene Ki koshish
Darasal Marne Ki Koshish thi
To Phir Kiya Tum
Labon pe Fatehana muskurahat aur
Aankhon main Shoukh Rang liye
Mere Saamne Aan Khadi Ho jaogi?
Aur Kahogi ye....
"Mujhe Maloom tha, Yehi Hoga!!"
Aur Phir kiya Hum
Apne Ghar ko Lautenge?
Ya Apne Apne Ghar Jayenge?
Bas Ye Batlaa do!!

(C) Shahid Parvez Sayed, Valentine's Eve @ 2:15 am

Wafayen aur Deewar-e-Masjid

Chilchilati Dhoop aur Us Be panah Juhlasti Duphari main

Kisi Masjid ki Deewar ke Saye main Ruk kar Tum
Ibadat Kar laut Rahe Sendkdo Namaziyon main
Sirf Ek Chera Talash Kiya Karti thin Un Dino
Paa Kar Us Shaks ko Tumhare Jism aur Rooh
Yun Khil Uththe the
Jaise ke Sulagti Koi Zameen Jhoom Uthe
Baarish ki Pehli Phuraon par
Baqya Namaziyon ki Ibadat Kabool Hui thi Ya nahi
Ye Un ka Khuda Jaane
Tumhari Wafayen ...
Muskurahten aur Aankhon ke woh Mashooq Rang
Zaroor Qabol hue honge us Din Bargah -e-Ilahi main
Dekh lo...
Is Nazm ka Ek Ek Lafz
Usi Haqeeqat ka Shahid Hai

(C) Shahid Parvez Sayed, Feb 9th, 2013, Churchagate Station

Pehli Snow...

Tab Mausam ki Pehli Baraf Giri thi
So kar uthe the
Hairaan the hum tum
Ek hi Raat main nayi Duniya kaise Takhleeq ho gayi?
Daro -Deewar, Raaste, Darakht sabhi ne
Safed Chadat kaise pehan li hai?
Aur Jab tum Kala Dupatta udhe Hairat se ye sab dekh rahi thin
Main ne Tumhare un Hairat aur Masarat ke Rangon ki
Kitni Tasveeren Utaari thin

Suna hai...
Aaj Barafbaari hogi wahan pe
Par Is baar Aasmano se Baraf Nahi
Zimmedari Barsegi...
Is baar Koi Tumhari Tasveer na khencehgaa
Tum Doodh, Bread, Paani aur Firewood le aayi hogi
Pata nahi ye Mausam kab Tak Yu hi Kharab rahe?

Baraf to Bas Us saal giri thi
Jis baras Dono Sath the Hum tum
Jeene Ka Asbab the Hum Tum
Kisi Shair ka Khwaab the Hum tum
Baraf to bas us saal giri thi...

(C) Shahid Parvez  Sayed,  Feb 5th @ 1:05am

Gar tum....

Gar tum apni Yaaden bhi
Apne Sath hi Le jaatin
Kuch din to koi Jee Letaa
Ye Chaak Girebaan Sii Leta
Kuch Din koi Jee letaa!!

(C) Shahid Parvez Sayed

Hamara Shahr...

Jab shahr ki be-Chainyan, bad-Gumaniyan
kisi Khaarish zada kutton ki trah
Mujhe  dauda kar jab
Kisi station ke platform tak khaded aati hain
Tab Main khud ko Tanhaa bahut hi pata hoon
Chun kar kirchiyan apne khwabon ki
Larazta hoon, saham saham jataa hoon
Trains aati hain, Guzar jaaati hain
Sochta hoon,

Kahan jaoon, pahunchon kidhar ko main?
Koi khidki , Na darwaza koi intezar main hai
Na koi Har aahat Pe Meri  kaan dhare

TV ke saamne hai, magar dekhtaa nahi

Aur  na hi koi mere poorani Tasveeren

Dekh raha hai, Mujhe soch raha hai


Ye shahr HAMARA nahi jahan  main rehtaa hoon
Isi liye to yu Tanhiayyan main Sehtaa hoon.

(Bad-Gumaniyan = Misunderstands)

(C) Shahid Parvez Sayed

Shafiq Ur Rehman...

Its not many time life gives you an opportunity to look at yourself, recognize the patterns of behavior and understand the driving forces in making you what you are today.

Everyone will have a many folks who influenced them. In case of guys the list begins with Dad and then extends to movie or sports idols or authors, neighbors and friends. Since I grew up away from Mom and Dad, I found books and authors to be my guides and influences. One such author was Shafiq Ur Rehman. 

Like his contemporaries in the 40's, Sahir Ludhyanvi and others he too wrote and published books while still in college. His books too were lapped up by the masses. He too enjoyed phenomenal success like that of Sahir Ludhyanvi when he published Talkhiyan.

I remember my english teacher giving me a copy of "Himaqaten" when I was in VIII standard. Himaqaten is full of humor and deals with the trials, turbulation  and innocence of teenage years. Shafiq Saab dealt with those topics that every teenages (including some grown ups) are dealing with even today.

In one story Moody Jones, his friend heard saying to his girl friends that  " That was my life stories, If you don't like any, let me know and I am willing to live them again"!!

In another instance he tells a shortest story." A boy asked a gal to marry, she refused and then they lived happy ever after"!!

And he talks about best years in a woman's life " Aurat ki zindagi ke behatreen 10 saal 20 baras se, 25 baras tak hain!"

I did not have a father figure at home so Shafiq Saab became a friend philospher and guide. I became so attached to all of his books that, years later when I went to US for further studies I carreid all of his books with me. And yes I read them whenevr I felt lonely and not understood in a foreign land. Shafiq Saab always lend his helping hand like a life long companion - he still does.

For example:

-Like pratogoinst of his stories I too was good with words and as a result became somewhat popular with girls

-Like his pratagonsit I too wanted to be loved MORE. And to my surprise sometime this worked out just fine.

- His stories are often based on a hill station where you will come across Civil Engineers building dams and bridges.  No prize for guessing that I decided to be a Civil Engineer.

- Protagonist of his stories found themselves lonely at the end of the day.  I too feel comfortable with being alone for days and years without a major complain - only condition I be in a natural environment with lakes, mountains, stars and winds for company. I too love the permanency that mother nature offers over human beings.

- Like the protagonist of his stories my best memories happened when I became a frequent traveler. Travelling alone with no itenaray is still my obsession. Jumod of staying in one place and decaying scares me.

- I belive that the most successful film of all time "Sholay" has a cntribution from Shafiq Saab too. In one of his stories written in 1948 called " Himaqaten" a friend of the hero tosses a coin every time to decide the dancing partners. Later the hero learns that the coin that Moody, his friend was tossing had same sides to it. Only Salim Saab and Javed Saab can enlighten us as to how they got the idea to have Amitabh Bacchan toss the coin in Sholay,  which made Sholay a great script. I will not be surprised to know that it was that story of Shafiq Saab that gave them the idea.

I always wondered as to what happened to him and whether he was alive. No information was found anywhere for years, untill google search showed up with a wikipedia entry.

http://tinyurl.com/d4jr2np

It is so sad to know that he died grief stricken a broken man in Pakistan. The man who made millions laugh with joy and comforted millions of youths carried so much burden to his grave. I wonder why he did not write anything for 25 years.

Shafiq Saab you will always be missed and you will be alive in the hearts of your readres  for centuries to come. May Allah offer you the highest place in heaven.....adios!

ps: He is the ONLY author in the world who copyrighted all his books to his readers - yes copyrighted. It means you can publish, copy as many books you want and make money of his creativity - legally.

PPS: I still have one item left from his list to do, walking in a suit while it rains.

Rainy season is still upon us....if you see a good looking man walking suited in rain. Just smile and say Hi.

Its only one life after all is said and done!