‘Waris’ of literary treasure

In conversation with Amjad Islam Amjad the ‘Kahani Master’

Amjad Islam Amjad is a renowned Urdu Poet, drama writer, lyricist and educationist belonging from Pakistan. Throughout the span of 50 years of his tremendous career, he has been the author of 70 books, and has bagged numerous awards at various national and international forums. As a gesture of the recognition, acknowledgement and endorsement of his remarkable services rendered in the field of art and literature, the government of Pakistan bestowed the civil-military award of “Pride of Performance” in 1987 and “Sitara-i-Imtiaz” in 1998 on him.

Amjad received his secondary education from his hometown, and later graduated from Government Islamia College Lahore. After pursuing a Masters of Arts degree in Urdu literature from Punjab University Lahore, he initiated his career as lecturer in Govt M. A. O College Lahore. He also served the Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) as a director in  various of its projects broadcasted between 1975 to 1979, and returned back to the teaching field in 1980. But the point to ponder over is what brought him back to the field of education, and then back to the media in 1983? Let’s discover it all!

What are you doing these days?

I wrote my last script for PTV fifteen years ago, and then switched over to writing poetry, columns, prose and books. During those days I also started teaching in various institutions. By the way, these days I’ve started working on educational welfare projects and as such I’m busy travelling abroad. I am also doing an M.Phil. now. Though I’ve not done a PhD, a large number of students have done a PhD on me and my writing! (Laughs).

How many books have you read, so far?

Countless! My father was a voracious reader, so this is something which is in my blood. The sensitivity of identifying the delicacy and influence associated with words is something which has always captivated me. Language is the field of romance, I feel. I enjoy the foreplay of words, characters and sentences. I have written 70 books so far, and aim to write many more in future!

What was the turning point in your life which you think brought you to the life that you currently live?

I believe that my past was interesting which I understood later in life. I remember I used to read books after seeing my father reading them. My school teacher had given me access to his books after observing my dedication to reading. Secondly, my aunty used to tell us a lot of stories in childhood. Once it so happened that I was asked to tell a story to my class, I narrated the same story to my class after editing and creating a happy ending on my own. That story brought me huge fame and I was given the title of “Kahani Master”, by my teacher as well as my classmates. So, this love for books and passion for reading became the driving force in proving my intellectual talent in the field of academics.

Was this passion for stories the reason behind writing blockbuster scripts like Waris and Samandar? Who was the inspiration in the background?

I loved the arrangement of words carrying expression! And having been told that my father was a huge fan of fictional writings, I also had read many fictional writings. It’s more of a ‘like father like son’ thing! So that interest enhanced my understanding concerning the beauty in the description in terms of making any character in my future scripts.

• Waris – It was the first PTV mega-hit written by me. I was inspired by the merits and demerits of the feudal and caste system that our society carried within itself. The inspiration behind it was my dedication to Karl Marx.
• Samandar – Again a blockbuster was written keeping in mind the style of Ibne Safi, who was the popular fiction writer of his time. As I’ve already told you, my love for fiction is sort of inborn, and I have inherited that under the patronage of my father’s legacy.

What makes you angry?

I am usually not an angry person, but I do get angry at some genuine concerns, and I believe that’s normal and being human. Most of the time, I get angry at the living standards and quality of life of people in my country who are compelled to live like that. I think that’s because of the sensitivity that I have developed in my life, and I feel I am blessed to have an acknowledging realm in the universe of myself.

Are you a forgiving individual?

Yes, I forgive people very often and within no span of time. I try my level best to make people save their faces. I do not believe in fighting, making other people’s life harsh and miserable. I make sure, if my existence is not beneficial for someone, it must not be the reason for bringing in pessimism in anybody else’s life.

Amidst the passion for writing dramas, poetry, reading books, studying and teaching, what thoughts propelled you to finally get married?

Well! I and my wife – who is my first cousin, we both found each other! I proposed to her, which I rarely admit in front of her (laughs). It all happened due to our joint family system, and in my humble opinion, our ancestors used to rightly settle down in extended family systems. Apart from the cons of a joint family system, we cannot ignore its pros. Through observation, children learn the importance of good etiquette and the significance of building good relations, acknowledging their importance which helps them stay united and dedicated to the people belonging to their families. Most of the time, they would practice the matchless habits of sacrificing and being tolerant towards each other which I believe the youngsters of today know nothing about, with due apologies.

Any memory that you wish to erase from the journey of your life, travelled so far?

Not on the personal footings of my life, but yes! As an individual in this society I would like to mention here that if I had the superpower to change something – I would prefer to add respect to moral and social values; plus, I would inculcate and develop a sense of tolerance among individuals. Our society holds the greater capacity to become an ideal one, but unfortunately, we have neglected the values of prestige and power which identified us and were brought by our ancestors. I believe, individuals being the unit of society, if they start realising to use a better language, start being empathetic and value the true spirit of basic education, we could see a difference in not only the individuals walking in the streets to the academic, bureaucratic and legal institutions of our country.

What is life in Amjad Islam Amjad’s opinion?

Life! as far as I have understood, it is an extension of love. One reaps what one sows, so I believe it could be spent by spreading happiness, optimism, love and courage in your surroundings and the universe ultimately reciprocates all these elements back. It is a mirror; it reflects what it witnesses! Life is a journey of learning, not a trial at all. It should be spent in understanding, learning and embracing one’s own self.

What is death?

Death has been beautifully described by Mir Taqi Mir. He says in one of his exquisite poems that death is a stage of doing rest, and once a soul takes rest it has to move to the next stage and start working. So, for me too it is a stage, that part of our journey where one has to take a rest to prepare for the next step, moving forward!

“If I had the superpower to change something – I would prefer to add respect to the moral and social values in society; plus, I would inculcate and develop a sense of tolerance among individuals.”