Poets

Kashmeeri, Dr. Muzter

Kashmeeri, Dr. Muzter

Dr Muzter Kashmeeri is an accomplished poet and is recognized by many of his contemporaries as an undisputed giant of the literary world throughout the global  community  of Urdu speaking Christians.

He has published seven books, listed below, of which  five are poetic works

 

 

1. Ayena-e sadaqat (آینہ صداقت)

2. Reda-e drd - poetry ( ردائے درد )

3. Main musafar pairoon nanga - Punjabi poetry  (میں مسافر پیروں ننگا)

4.   Dr. Asghar Yaqoob adb kay ayenay main 

    (ڈاکٹر اصغر یعقوب ادب کے آئینے میں )

5. Sadaqat - poetry (صداقت)

6. Badan ka sehara -poetry (بدن کا صحرا )

7. Hai zehm zehm hwanian - poetry (ہیں زخم زخم ہوائیں )

 

© Akhtar Injeeli 31/01/2013

 

Khokhar, Irshad

Khokhar, IrshadIrshad khokhar, ( ارشاد کھوکھر ) writes, and writes well, both  in Urdu and Punjabi. He was born in Kala Shah Kakoo, Sheikhupura, Pakistan, and completed his schooling there. He started writing poetry in 1990 and published his first book Mun layh Kehna ( من لیہ کہنا ) in 1999. Although he had started making his mark among the literary circles of Pakistan a few years earlier, his real breakthrough came with the publication of  his  second poetry book, Dil  Di Bintee (  دل دی بنتی ) in 2008.

Khokhar has in some way "inherited the genes" for Punjabi poetry, from his father, Peyara Masih Khokhar who is well-known in his community for his ability to write and recite Punjabi Rubaiyat (چو مصرعہ). Our Khokhar has great respect for his father and admires him for his ability in reciting two of the greatest epics poems of the Punjabi literature, namely, Heer Waris Shah  ( ہیر  وارث شاہ)and Qissa Saif-ul Malook (سیف الملوک).

Irshad Khokhar read his first poem  among well-known poets gathered for a Mushaira in the hall of  Khabrain newspaper, in Lahore.     This was also the  place where he must met with the famous Bera Jee  (بیرا جی ).   It was the guidance and encouragement of the latter that lead him to publish his aforementioned book.

Irshad Khokhar has also written more than twenty religious songs which have been presented by various TV and radio channels, including Radio Pakistan, Catholic Channel, Masihi TV and Halillujah channel.

In the world of literature Khokhar is treading ever so softly, perhaps he wants to make sure that whatever he writes and publishes meets his own  high standard of aesthetics.  In his own words:

بوہتے نالوں تھوڑا لکھیں ، لکھیں ذرا سوادی

اکھر اکھر خوشیاں ونڈے  پھیرے  نہ  بربادی     

Khokhar has thus far been decorated with two awards: Aitraf-e fun Award (2009) and Husan-e Karkardgee award (2010).

 

© Akhtar Injeeli 31/01/2013

 

Daniel, Javaid

Daniel, JavaidThe founder of Tadeeb Ministries and chief-editor of Tadeeb magazine, Javaid Daniel is an aspiring evangelist, an established editor/publisher and himself a published poet.  His magazine provides a platform for many established and budding authors and poets to share their views and to develop their writing skills, and is now in its tenth year of continual publication. His commitment to Tadeeb and its timely production testify to his sincerity with the mission that he has taken upon himself. His poetry is full of devotion to Lord Jesus and is a source of encouragement to his readers. Nazeer Qaiser ranks Javaid Daniel with poets like Peyaray Lal Shakir and K R Zia. In my own opinion Daniel is on the same road as traversed by these greats, but has a long way to go yet.

Daniel's  book Paniyoon par parwas ( پانیوں پر پرواز ) published in 2007 is a worthy addition to the treasure box of Urdu literature. This rather concise volume is an eloquent testimony to the poets breadth of intellectual dimensions. Having read this book I can confidently say that he has just begun his journey in the realm of similes and metaphors. In future Javaid Daniel will most definitely bring us more poems to enjoy, more intellectual challenges  to think through and more songs to sing.

As an observer of the progress and contributions of Christian poets and writers, I except he will give me more work to keep me occupied.

For Urdu readers here is a sample from Paniyoon par parwaz:

ظالم  کی  یلغار  نہ   ہو   گی

 دہشت  اور تلوار   نہ  ہو  گی

 بے شک قومیں کریںچڑہائی

 لیکن  اپنی   ہار   نہ   ہو  گی 

ھوشعنا کے  نعر ے   گونجیں 

اور  کوئی   گفتار   نہ   ہو گی    

 
  :To visit the Tadeeb Ministeries website please click the link
 

© Akhtar Injeeli 31/01/2013

 

Injeeli, Emmanuel Qasar (1935-1994)

Injeeli, Emmanuel Qasar (1935-1994)Injeeli was a native of Gujranwala (now in the Punjab of Pakistan), where he was educated and later started his professional life as a government school teacher. After joining the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, and receiving baptism by emersion at the hands of his spiritual mentor​, Padri Prem Masih in 1960, he served the church as a teacher, preacher, pastor, editor and chaplain. He always remembered Padri Prem Masih very respectfully and enlists his name among those who significantly helped him on his professional and spiritual journey*.

 

Due to failing health, he took early retirement in 1994 and died in Anklesaria Hospital, Karachi, on 14th November of the same year. 

A  sincere student of the Bible, Injeeli believed it to be the Word of God and spent all his practical life teaching and preaching it. His father's name was Karam Ellahi, who was an elder at the local UP Church in Gujranwala. However, due to his intense devotion and his unashamed identification with the Injeel (The Gospel of Lord Jesus Christ) very early in his life his friends and colleagues started referring to him as "Injeeli", a title which became not only his name but also his sole identity.

He served in the Adventist Church as a pastor and teacher in various villages, towns and cities of Pakistan i.e. Kotsohnda, Kakargill, Chuharkana Mandi, Mangoki (Dist Sheikhupura, the Punjab province), Mirpur Khas, Karachi (Sindh province) Peshawar (NWF province). Between 1975 and 1980 he taught Urdu language and theology at Pakistan Adventist Seminary, Chuharkana Mandi**. In 1980 he was transferred to the Church headquarters at Adventpura Lahore, to work as a translator of books (English to Urdu). Then form 1984  to 1989 he edited Qasid-e Jadid and Sehat magazines. It was during this period that he wrote many of his articles and poems which have earned him a prominent place among the Christian Urdu writers and poets. Many of his poems first appeared in these magazines.

His first book, Basharet-e Uzma  (The Great Good News) was published in 1992. It is  is a collection of poems, Ghazals and songs expressing Injeeli's deep insights into the Biblical themes as well as his great and unwavering devotion to his  Lord, Jesus Christ. His poetry has been commented upon and critiqued by his contemporaries like Baba Najmi, BM Hasrat, Master AR Nazim, Tamkeenul Haq Balkhi, Kanwal Feroze, Naeem Waiz and others.

In 2015, Dr Preeya Tabita, then the Associate Professor of Urdu at Foreman Christian College University, Lahore, compiled, edited and helped publish a complete anthology of Injeeli's poetry in one volume. The Kuliyat-e Injeeli, is so far the most complete collection of his poetic works, and includes two long Masthnavis, Bashart-e Uzma, and Dastan-e Kalwari. This hard bound volume was published by Mavra Publishers (Lahore), in association with Christian Urdu Writers and Poets Organization (cuwap.org).

* see page 309 of Kuliyat-e Injeeli

**The name of Chuharkana Mandi was later changed to Farooqabad and it is by this name it is  known to this day. 

To watch a short video of Kuliyat-e Injeeli's openning in Karachi, Pakistan kindly click the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g_e5_kKSFE

 

© Akhtar Injeeli 31/01/2013

 

Stunzabadi, Sohail Sajid

Stunzabadi, Sohail SajidA multi-faceted and multi-talented personality committed to constantly improving himself and continually serving others, Sohail Sajid Stunzabadi  (سہیل ساجد سٹونزآبادی)is a published poet, a respected teacher and a committed nursing professional. Equipped with a BA (Karachi University), Diploma in Nursing (completed at Liaquat National Hospital Karachi), Diploma in ward administration, and Diploma in teaching and administration, Specialization in community health nursing (Jinnah postgraduate medical center Karachi), and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) he is currently serving the community as Principal of the Karachi King's School and College of Nursing. Prior to this he served as an instructor at the Liaquat National School of Nursing (one of his Alma-matters).

Stunzabadi belongs to a well-respected family of literary figures, both his father, Mr. Albert Sajid, and grandfather Rev. Sundar Dass had notable standing in the field. He started writing poetry at the tender age of eleven and in 1978 editedNeya Swara (نیا سویرا) magazine published from Stunzabad. Latter when he moved to Karachi he founded and edited another magazine Meyyar-e Zindgi (میعار زندگی), and was associated with several other magazines: Ufuk, The World International and Stunzabad Times.  His editorials, poems, columns and stories have appeared in these as well as other magazines and newspapers like the Daily  Aftab.  In the age-old tradition of paying homage to one's teachers, he would like Allama A.R. Nazim, Allama H.M. Sarf, and Prof. Yousaf Nayyar's names to be mentioned here with due respect as an expression of gratitude.A multi-faceted and multi-talented personality committed to constantly improving himself and continually serving others, Sohail Sajid Stunzabadi  (سہیل ساجد سٹونزآبادی)is a published poet, a respected teacher and a committed nursing professional. Equipped with a BA (Karachi University), Diploma in Nursing (completed at Liaquat National Hospital Karachi), Diploma in ward administration, and Diploma in teaching and administration, Specialization in community health nursing (Jinnah postgraduate medical center Karachi), and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) he is currently serving the community as Principal of the Karachi King's School and College of Nursing. Prior to this he served as an instructor at the Liaquat National School of Nursing (one of his Alma-matters).
 
Stunzabadi belongs to a well-respected family of literary figures, both his father, Mr. Albert Sajid, and grandfather Rev. Sundar Dass had notable standing in the field. He started writing poetry at the tender age of eleven and in 1978 edited Neya Swara (نیا سویرا) magazine published from Stunzabad. Latter when he moved to Karachi he founded and edited another magazine Meyyar-e Zindgi (میعار زندگی), and was associated with several other magazines: Ufuk, The World International and Stunzabad Times.  His editorials, poems, columns and stories have appeared in these as well as other magazines and newspapers like the Daily  Aftab.  In the age-old tradition of paying homage to one's teachers, he would like Allama A.R. Nazim, Allama H.M. Sarf, and Prof. Yousaf Nayyar's names to be mentioned here with due respect as an expression of gratitude. While he is currejntly busy compiling and writing for futrue publications, three of his his books have already made therir way to the bookstalls: Khali kashkole ( خالی کشکول ), Yaadain ( یادیں ), and Tary Janay kay Baad (تیرے جانے کے بعد  )
 

© Akhtar Injeeli 31/01/2013

 

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