Musical Dance Drama on Amir Khusrau By Dr. Masood Haider
The Aligarh Alumni Association which endeavors to organize creative and innovative programs scored a big hit with the presentation of a unique and first of its kind program in this area on the life and work of the thirteenth century genius Amir Khusrau. Khusrau, was a multifarious personality, known for his tremendous contributions as a poet, critic, linguist, and artist who made numerous innovations in Indian classical ragas and instruments and originated the genre of Qawwali. From the perspective of the association, the most significant aspect of Khusrau’s life was that he, a devout disciple of the great saint, Hazarat Nizam Uddin Auliya believed in secularism, tolerance and universal brotherhood; the vision later espoused by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan; the great founder of the Aligarh Muslim University.
The idea to hold this function under the banner of the association was the brainchild of Mr. Muzaffar Habib, the activitist and energetic secretary of the association. He toiled assiduously day and night for several months and tackled numerous unexpected difficulties to make possible an enormously successful event, presented by the Creative Arts Group, Washington.
The program was an embodiment of the non-political and secular goals of the association to create harmony and understanding among the countries of Southeast Asia especially Pakistan and India at a people to people level in the United States despite bitter political differences between the two countries. The creator of the program, Ali Shoib Hasan is a young and talented Pakistani, who resides in Washington and has appeared in several PTV dramas, including ‘Junoon’. He was assisted by artists from both countries; qawwals and singers from Pakistan, dancers from India and backstage artists from both countries and above all by the outstanding performance of Dr. Abdullah, an Indian Muslim, as a narrator speaking in flawless and impeccable Urdu. Dr. Abdullah, known to most Aligarians and other lovers of Urdu poetry as the organizer of international mushairas over quarter of a century appears himself to be following in the path of Amir Khusrau, blossoming into new avenues as an accomplished nazim, poet and actor. Mrs. Anwar Rizvi, a former professor of Persian at Aligarh Muslim Universit, accomplished an awesome job of single-handedly putting together a beautiful 48-page souvenir, including several authoritative articles on Amir Khusrau’s work and his message for the twenty first century.
Almost 400 American Indians and Pakistanis attended this event, including about 70 from New Jersey some of whom drove more than two hours to come to Queens. As is the practice of the association, dignitaries from Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh were invited to the function. However, the Consul General of India, was the only one to attend, who gave a gracious speech reflecting the sentiments from her message for the souvenir emphasizing the link that Khusrau provides among proponents of different faith and politics. His work is the common heritage of the peoples of central Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. At the end of the program, the Director introduced and thanked the artists and back stage workers and Dr. M.A.Bari, the president gave out presents to several artists and members of the cast on behalf of the association The only matter of concern in the entire program was the somewhat chaotic situation at the ticket counter, which the association expects to remedy in the next function.
The statement bears repeating that the Aligarh Alumni Association is a non-political secular organization. Its membership comprises of alumni from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh and it does not consider itself an extension of, or seeks to reflect the point of view of any country. In the Tri-state area the association attracts guests from New York, Westchester, Long Island and New Jersey. Therefore, the prime considerations in selecting a venue for the programs are equal accessibility for guests from all areas and meeting the special needs of the program.
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