| Produced by: |
Technopak Media Creations (Pte) Ltd. |
| Media: |
CD-ROM |
Description:
An interactive CD-ROM released in 1999 on the life of Faiz Ahmed Faiz. A tribute to the great poet on his 87th anniversary, with over 7 hours of audio, video and text. Works on both Windows and Mac computers.
“A mine of information and entertainment,-
a treasure trove of visual material”
Shoaib Hashmi, The News 11th April 1999.
“A priceless possession”, The Mag, April 10th 1999
Review: From NEWSLINE, April 1999, by Sabahat Quadri, Excerpts
This CD-ROM can be said to have a star-studded cast. Well known singers, Tina Sani, Nayyara Noor and Iqbal Bano to name a few, have recorded renditions of popular Faiz ghazals available at the click of the mouse.
A portion of the CD-ROM is devoted to recitations by Zia Mohyeddin, Shoaib Hashmi, Naomi Lazard (an American poet who has translated several of Faiz’s works), Zehra Nigah, K.C.Kanda - an overpowering list of celebrities and intellectuals coming together on the same volume. Eqbal Ahmed had a particularly stimulating contribution to make to Aaj Kay Naam.
The celebration of Faiz’s life continues as Sheema Kirmani dances to Faiz, accompanied by Khalid Ahmed on the flute. The performance can be seen as a small frame within your screen.
Another section is devoted to the art, specifically, art inspired by the poet’s words and imagery. Sadequain and Vai Ell rub shoulders with Salima Hashmi and Faiza Kassim: each artist has interpreted a favorite or powerful poem. Onscreen, the poem complements the painting.
Aside from the different recitations and interpretations of Faiz via dance, music and paintings, the CD-ROM gives viewers a glimpse into Faiz’s life. This is where the tremendous effort and research of the creator is visible. There are excerpts of reminiscences from Faiz’s family and friends on video, audio, in the form of his own written work, from his daughter, his wife, his grandchildren, who all seem to have had a hand in the compilation and production, weather in the form of information or actual presentation on the CD-ROM. The CD-ROM is littered with “ never before released” insight and interviews.
A lot of material on the CD-ROM has tremendous sentimental value for Faiz devotees, but it is also a valuable educational tool for the generations who have never been exposed to his poetry and have no idea of the condition in the country that led to the poet’s exile. For those who are mildly interested in Faiz, or who find reading tedious, this is a wonderful way to reacquaint oneself with the literary traditions of Pakistan. The CD-ROM presents Faiz’s ideals and recreated the man that so many loved, and that, equally, so many hated.
Faiz - Aaj Kay Naam
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