"I Don’t Think I’ve Achieved Enough in My Life"

(Amjad Islam Amjad)

Aliya Rasheed Ahmed

 

“Barzakh”, Satwan Dar”. “Fishaar,” Zara Phir Sey Kehna”, “Us paar” “Itney khawab Kahan Rakhun gaa” – these are the titles of Amjad Islam Amjad’s books on poetry.

Amjad is a writer, an all-round one, for the matter, who should be given the credit for breaking through, put aside shooting to nationwide fame, with a single stroke called “Waris’, way back in mid-70’s. After this extremely popular teleplay, there was not looking back for Amjad. Already, he was popular in literary circles. ‘Waris’ only put him into the limelight. It was a trend-setter for many plays to come, even Amjad himself later showed signs of hangover from his first commercial serial.

A translation in English of Amjad’s selected poems was published by the title “In the last days of Aumuton” from Canada. Recently Amjad has done the script-writing for producer Sajjad Gul’s latest blockbuster “Jo Dar Gaya Wo Mar Gaya”. He is considered one of the most popular poet and writer of the country.

He is a very cheerful, witty person, two tings that make him immensely popular among his friends, and to add to it his soft heartedness, is enough to understand what endears him to everybody he meets. Still, Amjad Islam is not conscious of his achievements in his life!

“I don’t know that I have achieved in life nor what is the criterion of achievement. In fact, I only think I have been lucky, that’s it. Whatever I did, it turned out to be a success. Achievement means something different at different points of time to oneself. I had already got my share of recognition when I was a student. Apart from the obstacles which I consider a part of everyone’s life, I have been able to rise throughout my life. I don’t know how much my kismet helped me and how much credit should be given to my own hard work and constant struggle, whatever it is, the fact remains that life itself is a great source of satisfaction for me.”

Amjad shows a broad vision of life. And his depiction of delicate, sensitive human feelings through his poetry is simply overwhelming. His rhythmic poetry grabs you at once.

Of all the creative forms he uses, which one is his first love? “I am at ease while writing poetry because it forms a direct link with my inner feelings. There is no interruption. On the contrary, a lot of people are involved in drama production. At times, the technical interruption forces us to make changes in the script. Over all, I think I enjoy poetry more. Secondly, those who appreciate my poetry are very mature and educated people. They can well imagine and understand the many shades of my thoughts, while drama is for millions of people. The message is very clear and loud in drama because we have to keep in mind that the majority of our population is not educated.”

It is a general impression about Amjad that he writes ‘popular drama’ with ease. “You know, in our society, people always love to stamp a label or tag on you. My critics say I have been repeating “Waris” time and again, which is not true because there is no Chaudhery or Wadera in most of my serials. Secondly, tell me how could I eliminate feudals when I am breathing in a society which is essentially a feudal society. Punjab is a land of landlords and Jageerdaars that is why it is easy for me to point out the problems of the system.”

“Agar” is Amjad’s new drama serial in the pipe-line, which is being directed by Nusrat Thakur for the PTV Lahore Centre, while “Endhan’ his another serial, will be telecast on NTM at the end of the year.

Amjad is a very social person. He is always busy chatting with friends. He is a lively and loveable father, too. Doesn’t he get fed up from his frequent visitors and friends who do not leave him alone for a moment?

“Believe me, at times, I badly need privacy and spare time for my own self, for the growth of my soul, but I just can not manage to get time,” Amjad said with a broad smile.