Awards for Qamar Ali Abbasi
and Hamida Chopra
A Pakistan Link Report
Pictures above: Glimpses of the award-cum-mushaira
function. Qamar Ali Abbasi and
Mrs. Hamida Chopra are seen receiving their awards in
the first row |
Urdu Link’s leading
columnist, Mr. Qamar Ali Abbasi, received the newly instituted
Ali Tabatabai Raaz Award at an impressive ceremony at the
Four Point Sheraton, Fullerton, on January 6, 2007.
The award was sponsored this year by the family of the late
Brigadier Ali Tabatabai Raaz and presented to Mr. Abbasi by
the Urdu Writers Society, Inc.
The late Brigadier Tabatabai, described as “our friend
and a great poet” by the Urdu Writers Society, was highly
respected in literary circles in Los Angeles, the US, and
the Indo-Pak Subcontinent. In the words of Mr. Masroor Jawed,
emcee, the late Brigadier Tabatabai is known in all places
where Urdu is spoken.
The speakers on the occasion – Dr Azra Raza, Irfan Murtaza,
Asif Syed, Consul General Syed Ibne Abbas, Haider Tabatabai,
Neelofar Abbasi, and Qamar Ali Abbasi - spoke in chaste Urdu
and paid glowing tributes to the late Brigadier. “Uncle
Tabi nae Luckhnow ki tehzeeb ki yad taza kee,” remarked
Dr Azra. “Pakistan Army aur America unkae mizaj
ki nafasat na bigar sakae,” she proudly observed
in a plaintive tone as she recalled the multifarious accomplishments
of the distinguished poet.
Laila Tabatabai and Asad Tabatabai, in their ‘Tribute
to Dada’, wrote, “Our grandfather’s literary
talents were simply divine. His words exuded the purest eloquence,
whether spoken with grace or written in fine script. The beauty
of the verses took one’s breath away. The intricacies
left one pondering their meaning for hours. The virtuosity
of the poet inspired awe in all who had the privilege of knowing
him…”
The speakers at the award ceremony looked very much like the
entrancing characters of the fascinating world of Hijab Imtiaz
Ali and Qurattul Ain Haider – sophisticated, bright
and cultured. Even the English pronunciation was impeccable
– clipped British accent at its best.
Accolades were also showered on Mr. Qamar Ali Abbasi, the
recipient of the literary award. His accomplishments and contributions
were enumerated and amply testified that he fully deserved
the award. Mr. Abbasi has written 18 books for children, 23
travelogues (safar naemae), long historical stories,
TV serials, columns, and radio and novel serials. “Urdu
ki tareekh maen woh sab sae barae safarnamae likhna ewalae
hain,” complimented the emcee.
To the delight of the audience, Mrs. Ayesha Murtaza, (American)
wife of Mr. Irfan Murtaza who imparts dynamism to the strivings
of the Urdu Writers Society, spoke in Urdu. Her address caused
quite a stir. A few excerpts: “Qamar Ali Abbasi
Sahib bainulaqwami shaksiat kae malik haen…Tamam karamfarmaon
ka shukriya kae aapki inayat sae (Urdu Writers) Society roz
baroz tarriqee kar rahee hae.” Her summation about
the role of the Society was no exaggeration. The emcee, Mr.Masroor
Jawaid, too testified earlier: “Los Angeles nae
adab kae maidan maen New York ko bohat door chor diya.”
Another award given at the function was the Zafar Ali Mansuri
Award instituted by Mr. Arif Mansuri, a leading Pakistani-American
industrialist, whose patronage of literary groups in Southern
California is well known. Mr. Mansuri has instituted the award
in the name of his father. It was given to Mrs. Hamida Chopra
who has played a leading role in the promotion of Urdu in
the US. She teaches at the University of California Berkeley
and is an academic of distinction.
Consul General Syed Ibne Abbas also addressed the gathering.
The charismatic diplomat delivered a scintillating speech
and lauded the role of the Urdu Writers Society and other
associations in promoting the cause of Urdu in this part of
the world.
The mushaira that followed the award ceremony was thoroughly
enjoyed by the gathering. It was presided over by Hadi Raza
Khan, advisor, Urdu Writers Society, whose winsome smile and
affable nature makes him a popular and highly respected figure
in the community. At the end of the mushaira, Dr Maher Tabatabai,
daughter of the late Brig. Tabatabai, thanked the guests for
their participation in the program. Her sister, Begum Tanwir
Mirza, earlier presided over the award ceremony proceedings.
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