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'Sohail Ahmed Siddiqui' Writer, Researcher, Poet, Journalist, TV-host and Broadcaster
Life history: Sohail Ahmed Siddiqui (Born on December 15, 1964, at Karachi, Pakistan) began showing his writing flair, ever since he found himself, as the son of an enthusiast of literature, Rafi Ahmed Siddiqui. He might claim to have some literary germs, inherited from some distant relatives like Syed Imtiaz Ali Taj, A.R.Khatoon, Azam Krevi, Shan-ul-Haque Haqqi and Kishwar Naheed, all famous due to their literary works. “But, I’m what I’m, only because of my own struggle, with the blessings of Almighty Allah”, he insists. He first rhymed few lines when he was a child, then went on to compose Nazm-e-Azad (free-verse) and Ghazal, when he was a student of secondary classes. During that span, he also tried to improve poetry of his classmate, Dr. Faiyaz Alam Siddiqui, now a noted politician-cum-social worker of Karachi, Pakistan. It continued the same way, till he passed Intermediate, but then, he realised that all that stuff was merely a practice of rhyming, i.e. ‘Qaafiya-bandi’ in Urdu. Thus, he destroyed all pieces of poetry by tearing them apart.

Sohail, as Champion of co-curricular activities: • Won the first prize in his maiden appearance in Quiz, in inter-school Quiz contest, conducted under the auspices of Hamdard Pakistan and National Museum, Karachi, in 1978, as a student of Class-VII in Government Muslim Boys Secondary School, Block-15, F.B.Area, Karachi. • Led the school Quiz team in radio programme, ‘Batchoun kee Duniya’ where they remained un-beaten successively. In 2012, he has become the Quiz Master of a Quiz segment, ‘Hai upnay Watan se Piyar hameiN’ • Participated in competitions of Debate/Speech, Na’t, Bait-Baazi and National Songs and won several prizes, in school and college time. • Won the Departmental Store in Neelam-Ghar, PTV’s most popular Quiz show, in 1986. • Won the prestigious prize of Pak-Suzuki Car, in Neelam-Ghar, being the biggest of that time, in Asia, in 1987. • Won the inter-collegiate Islamic Quiz, ‘Meezaan’, aired by PTV, in 1988, creating 3 unique records in local Quiz history, while remained runners-up in 1987. • Compiled a research-based Quiz book, ‘Islami Maloomaat-Swalan/Jawaban’, published in 1988 and won popularity from the concerned quarters.

Entry to the literary world: In 1990, he entered the world of literature through prose and poetic translations, directly from French, followed by other languages like English, Persian and Sindhi. His first pieces of translations from French received warm welcome by Adeeb Sohail, a veteran penman and the editor of Monthly Qaumi Zaban. He also encouraged him to write reviews and articles, beginning with his own anthology, ‘Bikhrao ka Harf-e-Aakher’. It was followed by Shahzad Manzar, who asked him to write a critique on his book, ‘Mashrique-o-Maghrib ke Mashahir Udaba’, which he did laboriously. That’s how he started his writing career.

The Poetry thus begun: Then, in 1992, he fell seriously ill, while preparing for the examinations of MA (final). Eventually, he felt something coming down his mind, in the memory of the lost love, so quickly, that he had to leave the bed and caught the very thought on the paper. ‘Mujh ko Tanha Na kar’, a Nazm (verse) was the real start of his poesy, published in Monthly Takhleeque, Lahore, after several years. He has been very humble and ridiculous about his own poetry, avoiding its publication and recitation, for several years onwards.

Switching to Haiku: Being a bookworm, with no specific range of topics chosen, right from his early age, he switched over to Japanese literature, in his teens, besides studying the treasure trove of various countries. He made up his mind to promote the most precise and compact genre, Haiku, through a literary journal, focussed only on its propagation in various languages, at the same time.

Sohail, as the promoter of Haiku: In 1998, he founded the foremost and only multi-lingual Haiku journal of South Asia, Haiku International, the only of its kind, outside Japan and throughout Asia, indeed. That was the start of a real Haiku movement in and around Pakistan, leading to motivate well over 100 poets of Urdu to initiate Haiku-writing. The journal alone has given coverage to more than 200 Urdu and approximately 100 poets of regional languages, while introducing many foreign poets to the Urdu World. Besides inviting and motivating the local poets towards Haiku-writing and translations, Sohail Ahmed Siddiqui had also paved the way of organising a Haiku Mushaaira, in Orangi Town, in 2001. It was the most successful Mushaaira, held outside the premises of Japan Cultural Center, ever, and with no patronage of the diplomatic body. He had delivered an exclusive lecture on the history and prospects of Haiku, with special reference to Urdu & Pakistan, at the auditorium of Arts Faculty, University of Karachi, September 20, 2006.

Few records, laurels and mentions of Haiku International: Haiku International holds the unique world record of publishing Haiku and related material in 25 regional and foreign languages. • Haiku International, Book-V, Special Issue on Iqbal Haider, (a seasoned poet of Nazm, Ghazal, Haiku & Tanka, also a former senior TV producer) created a stir by containing stuff in 15 world languages, published twice, in the year 2000 and 2001. • The founding editor, Sohail Ahmed Siddiqui received lot of appreciation from all around the world, besides an invitation to the World Haiku Festival, held in August, 2000, in UK, by the World Haiku Club, at the special recommendation of Mr. Bill Higginson, world’s renowned scholar of Haiku, from USA. He could not go to UK, because of visa problems, but his article, ‘Japanese Poetry in Urdu’ and his English Haiku were included in the world contests of articles and poetry, respectively.

Sohail in world anthologies: Sohail Ahmed Siddiqui is the only Urdu/Pakistani poet, whose English Haiku have been included in world anthology, ‘Wild Flowers, Free Leaves’, edited and published by Mr. Susumu Takiguchi, Chairman World Haiku Club and chief organizer of World Haiku Festival. • Sohail Ahmed Siddiqui is the only Urdu/Pakistani poet, whose English free verses have been included in US-based world anthologies, in 1992, 1993 and 2002. • Sohail Ahmed Siddiqui is the only Urdu/Pakistani poet to attend the world Haiku contest of Asahi Shambon, Japan, whose English Haiku have been mentioned and discussed on several websites, as feature Haiku or a representative of Pakistan.

Few other distinctions of Sohail: •	His Haiku International is the pioneer and only Online multi-lingual Haiku journal, from South Asia, since 2006. •	His Haiku anthology appeared in Urdu and received lot of appreciation, by unique title, ‘Khushkun hai Patjhar’ (Pleasant is autumn). •	Among well over 50 Urdu Haiku anthologies, ‘Khushkun hai Patjhar’ is the only wherein the poet himself contributed a critique on his poetry, pretending himself a third person. •	It is the pioneer and only Online Urdu Haiku anthology, uploaded in 2008. • Sohail Ahmed Siddiqui has the privilege of presenting the key article of Silver Jubilee Haiku Mushaira (recital), held in 2008, under the auspices of Japan Cultural Center, Consulate General of Japan, Karachi. The title was, ‘Urdu Haiku negari-Aik mukhtasar jaayeza’ (Urdu Haiku writing-A brief study).

Published works: There are well over 400 published literary & journalistic writings (in English & Urdu), besides a few books on his credit. He is going to launch 3 books, on different topics, very soon. His published books included: 1.	‘Islami Maloomaat-Swalan/Jawaban’-Quiz book: 1998 2.	Urdu kay Mash’hoor Ash’aar-Aik Jaaiza-Research: 2001 3.	‘Khushkun hai Patjhar’-Haiku anthology: 2006 4.	‘SAARC Kahani-Collection of children’s tales from SAARC countries: 2008 5.	“Songs from the Land of Rising Sun”, English translation of Jamal Naqvi’s Urdu Haiku collection: 2000. * Approx. 400 writings in English & Urdu 6.	Nine issues of Haiku International, including four special numbers from 1998 till date. Tenth is available online only.

Un-published works: 1. ‘UBL Sports History’-Glimpses of history of the Sports Department of the United Bank Limited, Pakistan (English) 2. ‘Upni Upni Kathaein’ – Folk Tales of South Asia 3. ‘Aik Aankh Routi Hai’ (selection of short-stories) 4. Chechnya: The Symbol of Determination-(selection of articles on international affairs) 5. ‘KHAAMA-FIRSAYEE’ - (collection of reviews & articles in Urdu) 6. My Zoo (on animals of KHI Zoo & Safari Park, Karachi) 7. ‘As I see them’-(collection of reviews & articles in English) 8. ‘Urdu ke Mashhoor Ash’aar- Aik jayeza’ (Research)-Revised & enlarged edition Under-compilation works: •	‘Akse-Rashedeen’, the research-based biographies of the companions of Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم •	 French-Urdu Dictionary SOHAIL AHMED SIDDIQUI AS A FREE-LANCE JOURNALIST: •	Since 1985, well over 200 writings of Sohail Ahmed Siddiqui have appeared in various English and Urdu dailies & periodicals, like Daily Dawn, Daily News, Star, Pakistan Observer, The Mag weekly, The Message International, Daily Jang, Nawai-Waqt, Jasarat, Ash-Sharq, Express, She Magazine, Family Magazine, besides others. •	 Topics were: International politics, sports, Islamic history, history of Sindh, television reviews, interviews, literature and miscellaneous research-based articles. •	He has introduced many promising players to the Press, including Rashid Latif, the world-class wicket keeper and former captain of Pakistan cricket team & Ahmad Alam, the former captain/goal-keeper of Pakistan hockey team. •	He had broken the news that Syed Asfar Jamal was the youngest Pakistani scientist to have landed at Antarctica, in the maiden expedition in 1995. I had managed to promote him through English and Urdu Press. •	He is the first journalist to have penned down articles on the burning issues of Bosnia, Chechnya, Crimea, Nagorno-Karabakh, Moldova, etc. for Daily News & Daily Jang. I’ve got some 12 articles, exclusively on ‘Rump’ Yugoslavia on my credit.

Sohail as TV writer/researcher: • Joined as writer/researcher in January, 1993, and was given ‘A’ category, instantly, only on the basis of merit, yet another honour, shared by only a few in the history of Pakistan Television. • Authored famous television research-oriented programme, ‘TV Encyclopaedia’ alone for one year and as co-author for two years, i.e. 3 years in all. • Done scripting/research for TV channels: PTV, NTM, Inter-Asia, Pasha TV (London), Indus TV, ARY-Digital (London), QTV, Aaj TV, Geo and TV-One. • Types of writings include Research-based magazines, children shows, Quiz, documentaries, social roundup and plays.

Sohail as TV host: • He is the Pioneer Quiz champion in Pakistan to host his own Quiz show on television, Mash’al Quiz, aired in the holy month of Rabiul Awal, 1430AH/2009, by 2 Channels, Dhoom TV and Vibe TV. • He has created history by discharging 4-in-1 duties, i.e. Researcher/compiler, Teams’ coordinator, Host and acting producer. • He has set a unique record of conducting/recording 6 episodes in a stormy session of 3 hours and few minutes. • He has created a unique history by asking extempore questions to the teams, in last 5 episodes, out of 12, while there was no stock available in hand.

Sohail as Radio writer/researcher-cum-speaker: •	Sohail is the most successful FM-Talker on Religion in Pakistan and an ‘AA’-category Broadcaster for Radio Pakistan (FM-93) and FM-101. •	 He had delivered 30 speeches for FM-101, in the holy month of Ramadan, 1425, A.H, i.e. 2004 CE. The title of programme was ‘Raushni ke Dareechay’ and the producer was Mrs. Rabia Akram. Being an immediate hit, it was re-broadcast in 2005 and 2007, 2011 and 2012. •	Yet another programme of his 30 Islamic speeches for the same FM radio, ‘Dawat-e-Fikr-o-Amal’ was broadcast in Ramadan, 1429AH/2008 CE and was re-broadcast in 2009, due to popular feedback. •	Besides, he has written/delivered several other programmes on religion and literature, for Radio Pakistan (FM-93) and the National Broadcasting Service (NBC).

Translations in other languages: Haiku poetry of Sohail has been translated into English, Russian, Sindhi, Balochi and Seraiki, while, he has himself rendered few translations of his verses, into English.

Models of poetry by Sohail Ahmed Siddiqui:

GHAZAL-SOHAIL AHMED SIDDIQUI

غزل سہیل احمد صدیقی

جُڑے ہیں خاک سے، فکرِ ہنر میں رہتے ہیں یہ جرم کم تو نہیں، اِس نگر میں رہتے ہیں جلے ہیں خود بھی ، یہ کیسی ستم ظریفی ہے کہ دل مقام ہے جن کا، جگر میں رہتے ہیں

بس ایک گام پہ تجھ کو ٹھہر کے دیکھا تھا وگرنہ مثلِ صبا، ہم سفر میں رہتے ہیں

عجیب شخص ہے ، نظریں چُرا کے گزرا ہے ہمیں خیال تھا ، اُس کی نظر میں رہتے ہیں

سہیلؔ آپ بھی اکثر کمال کرتے ہیں کہ گھر کہیں پہ بنایا، کھنڈر میں رہتے ہیں

Jurray heiN Khaak se Fikr-e-Hunar meiN rehtay heiN Ye jurm kum tou nahi, iss nagar meiN rehtay heiN Jalay heiN khud bhee, yeh kaisi sitamzarifi hai Keh Dil maqaam hai jin ka, Jigar meiN rehtay heiN Bus aik gaam pe tujh ko thhehr k dekha tha Wagarna Misl-e-Saba, hum safar meiN rehtay heiN Ajeeb shakhs hai, nazreiN chura k guzra hai HameiN khayaal tha, uss kee nazar meiN rehtay heiN Sohail aap bhee aksar kamala kertay heiN Keh ghar kaheeN pe banaaya, Khandar meiN rehtay heiN

ہائیکو

سہیل احمد صدیقی

ریت میں پھول اگا

سناٹے میں چپکے سے کوئی سندیسہ لا

Haiku by Sohail Ahmed Siddiqui Ret meiN phool uga Sunnaatay meiN chupkay se Koi Sandesa la

English Haiku of Sohail Ahmed Siddiqui Gazing restlessly The peahen's little steps Remind me of you!

Wright up by Rehan Mirza