Urdu Academy Pays Tributes to Rukhsana Noor
By Abdus Sattar Ghazali
The February 2017 literary program of the Urdu Academy of North America was dedicated to the life and work of a distinguished Urdu poetess, writer, film script writer and song writer, Rukhsana Noor who passed away in Lahore on January 12, 2017 after a long illness. She was 58 years of age.
The event, held at the Chandni Restaurant, Newark, CA on February 19, 2017, was attended by Rukhsana Noor’s two daughters, Noor Ul Ain Noor and Qurat Al Ain Noor, as well as her niece Nazish Khan and her son-in-law Umer Mukhtaar.
The program began with dua (prayer) for the departed soul. Hatem Rani offered dua in his characteristic style which touched the audience and impressed all and sundry.
Diaspora Urdu poet, Arshad Rashid, was the MC of the first session of the literary event. He presented a well-researched maqala on the life and work of Rukhsana Noor who was the wife of renowned Pakistani film director, producer and script-writer Syed Noor.
After obtaining a Master’s in Mass Communications degree from the University of Punjab, Rukhsana began her journalistic career by joining daily Jang as a feature writer in 1980. Then her name was Rukhsana Arzoo. She later came to be known as Rukhsana Noor after she got married to Syed Noor in 1984.
She wrote stories for various hit feature films, including the super-hit Punjabi movie “Choorian”. She also penned down lyrics for films and compiled the collection of her film songs titled “Aa Pyar Dil Mein Jaga”. She also published her poetry in book form named “Ilham”.
Rukhsana served as a teacher in the Punjab University besides opening a film production house in Lahore. She received various awards for her contributions to films and literature.
Rukhsana was fighting cancer for the last 15 years and even visited America for treatment, where she lived with one of her daughters. She has left behind three daughters and a son besides Syed Noor to mourn her death.
A number of Urdu enthusiasts recited the poetry of Rukhsana. They included Hatem Rani, Dr Ghazala Ansari, Khalid Rana, Moiz Khan, Mukesh Kacker, Tasadduq Husain Attari, Zafar Khan Yususzai and Zeeshan Abbasi.
The second session of the literary event was conducted by Tashie Zaheer, President of the Urdu Academy of North America. The session was mainly devoted to the singing of Rukhsana Noor’s poetry.
Nigah Gupta was the first to sing her ghazal Khwab Ko Paani Bana-ke Lay Gaya Hai Kiya KarooN / Wo Meree NeeNdeN Ura Ke Lay Gaya Hai Kiya KarooN.
She was followed by Muneeba Zeeshan who thrilled the audience with her presentation of Rukhsana’s Punjabi song.
Nagesh Avadhany is a distinguished classical singer of the Urdu Academy. He captivated the audience with his presentation of two ghazals of Rukhsana Noor.
Tashie Zaheer also elated the audience with his presentation of Rukhsana’s ghazal.
At the end, Tashie Zaheer thanked the participants and audience for contributing to the success of the program. He also thanked entrepreneur Syed Sarwat for patronizing Urdu in the Bay Area.
Urdu Academy pays tribute to Rukhsana Noor ¼
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9wWAUAca1w
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smKxAPVfPtU
Urdu Academy pays tribute to Rukhsana Noor ¾
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hAjdUtockE
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9UJRL86ZaI
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