Iqbal Bano( 1935-21 April 2009): A Gazal Queen

When Pakistan was under reign of Zia-ul-Haq(1985) , Iqbal Bano dared to perform Faiz Ahemed Faiz's gazal in Lahore in front of a mob of fifty thousand that filled with the spirit of liberty. The gazal was "HamDekhenge" considered as a manifesto against all tyrannical regimes. " Sab taj uchhale jayenge, sub takhta giraye jayenge"(all crowns will be toppled, all thrones will tumbled) are the lines expressing the spirit.

Other famous gazal of Faiz that Bano resurrected is "Dashte tanhai me..."expressing the longing for love. In today's turmoiled Pakistan the most apt gazal is perhaps "Parishaan raat saari hai, sitaro tum to so jao" (distressing is the night, stars you go to sleep).

Faiz's poems haunt more with Iqbal Bano's voice which cuts deeper with every note.

Today is Election day in India. Are we able to say "ham dekhenge" when we have at least the freedom to choose a less bad candidate?

(Ref: " Distressing is the envoloping night" by Murtaza Razavi, Indian Express 23/04/09)

Life is a box of chocolates

Forest Gump says life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what u find inside. Well, I'll say I've found the most delicious chocolate and I want to savour it's taste forever!
Ah, Life is beauuutiful!

Suffocated Fredom

I was a stranger
To a tender feeling
To face the danger
Always willing.
I beheld you under the skies
Spread hair, searching eyes.
With a glory you came near
Sweet voice delicate to hear.
You filled my heart with fragrance
All the beauty with virtue and innocence.
Couldn't I breathe without thy name
All the seasons it was the same.
I was not thine but a part of thee
And suddenly but gently you set me free.
"We are not made for each other
For me, you must not bother."
Genuinely enough you told
In my ears the words still I hold.
Oh, Daughter of Divinity
And Sister of serenity!
Once you gave me life
Always give inspiration.
Now I feel lonely strife
Without a way to destination.
Days are cloudy once so bright
Black and stormy is the night.
Fragmented within, without troublesome
You have given me a suffocated freedom...
(2003)