Saeed Akhtar Siyal
During last four decades Dera Ismail Khan has produced a lot of legendary poets, Saeed Akhtar Siyal is one of them, who is known country wide for his universal message of love.
He was born on September 11, 1964 in the city of legends Dera Ismail Khan, Saeed Akhtar Siyal is a born poet and has a strong inclination towards Saraiki poetry from his childhood. He is a poet of the mind, he used his poetry to awaken the sleeping and deprived saraiki people, we can feel his pain – pain that saraiki people are changing for the worst, pain that saraiki’s are forgetting their true values and culture, and become popular as a Creative Saraiki Poet in Saraiki literature.
Being a founding member of the “Qasir Adbi Forum” (a literary society), Saeed Akhtar has also been involved in promoting and developing Saraiki language and culture since 1998.
Two books of Saeed's Saraiki poetry have been published so far.
DERA SINDH KINARAY – The first collection of his poetry was published by in 1991.
WISAKH – the second collection of Saraiki Poetry was published in 2000.
Saeed Akhtar Siyal is the voice of the conscience of the suffering humanity of our times. A voice which is a song as well as a challenge, which has a burning faith and cries out against the agony of its era, a constant endeavor and the thunder of the revolution, as well as the sweet recital of love and beauty.
He is a great veteran, his progressive poetry is a ray of hope for poor, helpless and oppressed people of the Saraiki Areas. In Saraiki literature he wrote very popular poetry. His poetry is mainly based on resistance against cruelty and injustice found in the society. He never accepted discrimination with Saraikies and always raised his voice for the miseries and troubles of poor people of our society. He is working hard both for the rights of deprived Saraikies and to promote the Saraiki literature as well.
He is fighting through his poetry and writings against the cruel and corrupt mafia which has ruined the cultural life of Dera Ismail Khan’s people.
He was born on September 11, 1964 in the city of legends Dera Ismail Khan, Saeed Akhtar Siyal is a born poet and has a strong inclination towards Saraiki poetry from his childhood. He is a poet of the mind, he used his poetry to awaken the sleeping and deprived saraiki people, we can feel his pain – pain that saraiki people are changing for the worst, pain that saraiki’s are forgetting their true values and culture, and become popular as a Creative Saraiki Poet in Saraiki literature.
Being a founding member of the “Qasir Adbi Forum” (a literary society), Saeed Akhtar has also been involved in promoting and developing Saraiki language and culture since 1998.
Two books of Saeed's Saraiki poetry have been published so far.
DERA SINDH KINARAY – The first collection of his poetry was published by in 1991.
WISAKH – the second collection of Saraiki Poetry was published in 2000.
Saeed Akhtar Siyal is the voice of the conscience of the suffering humanity of our times. A voice which is a song as well as a challenge, which has a burning faith and cries out against the agony of its era, a constant endeavor and the thunder of the revolution, as well as the sweet recital of love and beauty.
He is a great veteran, his progressive poetry is a ray of hope for poor, helpless and oppressed people of the Saraiki Areas. In Saraiki literature he wrote very popular poetry. His poetry is mainly based on resistance against cruelty and injustice found in the society. He never accepted discrimination with Saraikies and always raised his voice for the miseries and troubles of poor people of our society. He is working hard both for the rights of deprived Saraikies and to promote the Saraiki literature as well.
He is fighting through his poetry and writings against the cruel and corrupt mafia which has ruined the cultural life of Dera Ismail Khan’s people.
Naseer Sarmad Sairvi
Naseer Sarmad Sairvi was born in Mohallah Sohara Pansar, Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtoon Khawa Province, Pakistan, on March 03, 1948. He has very polite personality by nature.
He is a teacher by profession therefore, he spend most of his time in barren areas of thirsty land of “Daman” away from the proper city where he observed the thrust and hunger of those people that’s why we can see the troubles of villagers in his poetry. He started poetry at an early age, he is one of the best-known and admired Saraiki poets from Pakistan who also produced good poetry in the Urdu language. He is considered one of the greatest modern Saraiki poets of the current century. Naseer Sarmad holds a unique position as one of the best Saraiki poets of current times, with a fine but simple style of writing even ordinary people can easily understand. Although Sarmad wrote poetry in both Urdu and Saraiki languages, and even made a name as an Urdu poet quite early in his writing career, Saraiki is always his first love. He worked all his life to lift the status of the Saraiki language. He is the founding president of Saraiki Bazm (a Saraiki Literary Society in Dera Ismail Khan). He is working relentlessly to get Saraiki its due status amongst people as well as government. Naseer Sarmad has participated in many National Literary Symposia, Conferences, Mushairas in the Rajanpur and Bahawalpur, where he was highly appreciated and was invited several times to Lal Esan Karor, D.G.Khan and Multan.
Literary contributions
Sojhla (an album of poetry)
Daman (an album of poetry)
Pukhre Paihim Azaab (an album of poetry)
Farrukh Sair (an album of “Naats)
Hik Hik Leher Samandar (a Booklet of Saraiki poetry)
He is a teacher by profession therefore, he spend most of his time in barren areas of thirsty land of “Daman” away from the proper city where he observed the thrust and hunger of those people that’s why we can see the troubles of villagers in his poetry. He started poetry at an early age, he is one of the best-known and admired Saraiki poets from Pakistan who also produced good poetry in the Urdu language. He is considered one of the greatest modern Saraiki poets of the current century. Naseer Sarmad holds a unique position as one of the best Saraiki poets of current times, with a fine but simple style of writing even ordinary people can easily understand. Although Sarmad wrote poetry in both Urdu and Saraiki languages, and even made a name as an Urdu poet quite early in his writing career, Saraiki is always his first love. He worked all his life to lift the status of the Saraiki language. He is the founding president of Saraiki Bazm (a Saraiki Literary Society in Dera Ismail Khan). He is working relentlessly to get Saraiki its due status amongst people as well as government. Naseer Sarmad has participated in many National Literary Symposia, Conferences, Mushairas in the Rajanpur and Bahawalpur, where he was highly appreciated and was invited several times to Lal Esan Karor, D.G.Khan and Multan.
Literary contributions
Sojhla (an album of poetry)
Daman (an album of poetry)
Pukhre Paihim Azaab (an album of poetry)
Farrukh Sair (an album of “Naats)
Hik Hik Leher Samandar (a Booklet of Saraiki poetry)
Farooq Siyal (Painter & Artist)
Farooq Siyal is one of the famous artists of Dera Ismail Khan. Well known for him self portraits emphasizing his inner struggles.
Farooq Siyal was born in 1968 at Mohallah Toyanwala Dera Ismail Khan. He started his journey to words the art of painting from his school life. He was a youngster when he painted his school and drew the walls.
He leared from Ustad Iqbal Shahid, Masood Mirza, Sagar, B.A Batish and most famous artist of D.I.Khan Ajab Khan. He is rapidly going ahead and traveling upward in his art. His brush is main thing in his art. He is one of the most remarkable artists produced by Dera Ismail Khan and he received widespread acclaim in Pakistan, through paintings the artist spreads the message of peace. While drawing attention to light, texture and detail, the artist uses his work to create harmony in the viewer, and pacify the onlooker. He introduce new approach of using the bright colours of nature as a messenger of non-violence is a first, and skillfully employed the artist’s personal beliefs, to show flowers as “symbol of peace, promoting tolerance and non-violence in such volatile times.
He also participated in following exhibitions and won the prizes,
1st prize Sarhad cultural exhibition 1992, Peshawar.
1st prize S.S Hyder Award, 1998, Peshawar.
Participated in S.S Hyder Award, 2002, Peshawar.
Participated in Gulgee Award 2006, Peshawar.
Participated in an Exhibition of Art, 2004 held in Faisalabad.
Participated in Gulgee Award 2008, Peshawar.
Farooq Siyal was born in 1968 at Mohallah Toyanwala Dera Ismail Khan. He started his journey to words the art of painting from his school life. He was a youngster when he painted his school and drew the walls.
He leared from Ustad Iqbal Shahid, Masood Mirza, Sagar, B.A Batish and most famous artist of D.I.Khan Ajab Khan. He is rapidly going ahead and traveling upward in his art. His brush is main thing in his art. He is one of the most remarkable artists produced by Dera Ismail Khan and he received widespread acclaim in Pakistan, through paintings the artist spreads the message of peace. While drawing attention to light, texture and detail, the artist uses his work to create harmony in the viewer, and pacify the onlooker. He introduce new approach of using the bright colours of nature as a messenger of non-violence is a first, and skillfully employed the artist’s personal beliefs, to show flowers as “symbol of peace, promoting tolerance and non-violence in such volatile times.
He also participated in following exhibitions and won the prizes,
1st prize Sarhad cultural exhibition 1992, Peshawar.
1st prize S.S Hyder Award, 1998, Peshawar.
Participated in S.S Hyder Award, 2002, Peshawar.
Participated in Gulgee Award 2006, Peshawar.
Participated in an Exhibition of Art, 2004 held in Faisalabad.
Participated in Gulgee Award 2008, Peshawar.
Ghulam Muhammad Qasir
Ghulam Muhammad Qasir was born in Paharpur, Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtoon Khawa Province, Pakistan, on September 04, 1941. He is considered to be one of the premium modern poets from Pakistan.
He has been awarded with the Presidential Pride of performance award (posthumous), by the Government of Pakistan in 2006-07, for his valuable achievements in the field of Urdu literature. He passed away on February 20, 1999.
Professional background
After doing Matric from Government High School Paharpur, he was selected as a teacher in the same school. Mr. Qasir taught in many different schools nearby Dera Ismail Khan. While working as a teacher Mr. Qasir kept on improving his education. After doing his M.A. he was first appointed as a lecturer at Government College Mardan. He also worked at Science Superior College Peshawar, Government College Dara Adam Khel, Government College Peshawar, Government College Toru and Government College Pabbi.
Literary contributions
Tasalsul (an album of poetry) 1977
Aathwaan aasman bhi neela hai (an album of poetry) 1988
Darya-e-Gumaan (an album of poetry) 1997
Mr. Qasir wrote many essays which were printed by leading literary journals and, besides, he wrote prefaces for some of the poetry anthologies,
Research
Mr. Qasir remained on the catalog of contributors to the Textbook Board of Khyber Pakhtoon Khawa for classes 7th, 11th & 12th in the subject of Urdu.
Since 1968 Mr. Qasir has been a regular contributor to all the leading literary national journals in the field of poetry, essays and literary criticism.
Achievements
Pride of Performance award for Poetry by the Government of Pakistan 2006-07
Parveen Shakir “Aks-e-Khushboo” award for best poetry (Daryaa-e-Gumaan) Parveen Shakir Trust, Islamabad 1998
Waseeqa-e-Aitraaf, Shaam-e-Hamdard, Hamdard Foundation Peshawar 1994
Best Lyricist award, PTV Peshawar 1993
Bolan award for best dramatist / poetry, Bolan academy 1993
Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar award (Gold Medal) for best poetry (Aathwaan aasmaan bhi neela hai) Abaseen Arts Council Peshawar 1988-89
Presidential National award (Seerat Conference) 1987
Tributes
Ghulam Muhammad Qasir Academy founded in Nawan Killi Toru (Mardan) by one of his student, Mr. Peerzada,
Ghulam Muhammad Qasir Memorial Society founded in New York,
A Forum founded by the name of “Tasalsul” which brings out a literary journal.
Mr. Qasir was founder and the first chairman of a literary society ” Takhleeq, International” from Peshawar.
Mr. Qasir remained member of Pakistan Writers’ Guild and Abaseen Arts Council, Peshawar.
All writings of Mr. Qasir enjoyed huge popularity especially among young people and have been selling like hot cakes.
Thousands of Mr. Qasir’s students have greatly appreciated him and are working on several high posts throughout the country
A lecturer, Mr.Sohail Ahmed is writing his research paper for M.Phil on the works of Mr. Qasir from Urdu Department, University of Peshawar.
Since 1970 until his death (1999) he has regularly participated in all important national & religious functions and occasions on Radio Pakistan and Pakistan Television PTV Peshawar
Many of his lyrics were composed and sung by famous singers.
Mr. Qasir has written more than 70 dramas and programmes for PTV Peshawar and Radio Pakistan, among which the most popular TV serials were Talash and Bhoot Bangla (Haunted Bungalow).
Mr. Qasir has participated in many International Literary Symposis, Conferences, Mushairas in the United States, where he was highly appreciated and was invited several times to U.K, India, Dubai and Iran.
Mr.Qasir participated in many literary conferences held under the auspices of “Halqa-e-Arbab-e-Zoq, New York.
He has been awarded with the Presidential Pride of performance award (posthumous), by the Government of Pakistan in 2006-07, for his valuable achievements in the field of Urdu literature. He passed away on February 20, 1999.
Professional background
After doing Matric from Government High School Paharpur, he was selected as a teacher in the same school. Mr. Qasir taught in many different schools nearby Dera Ismail Khan. While working as a teacher Mr. Qasir kept on improving his education. After doing his M.A. he was first appointed as a lecturer at Government College Mardan. He also worked at Science Superior College Peshawar, Government College Dara Adam Khel, Government College Peshawar, Government College Toru and Government College Pabbi.
Literary contributions
Tasalsul (an album of poetry) 1977
Aathwaan aasman bhi neela hai (an album of poetry) 1988
Darya-e-Gumaan (an album of poetry) 1997
Mr. Qasir wrote many essays which were printed by leading literary journals and, besides, he wrote prefaces for some of the poetry anthologies,
Research
Mr. Qasir remained on the catalog of contributors to the Textbook Board of Khyber Pakhtoon Khawa for classes 7th, 11th & 12th in the subject of Urdu.
Since 1968 Mr. Qasir has been a regular contributor to all the leading literary national journals in the field of poetry, essays and literary criticism.
Achievements
Pride of Performance award for Poetry by the Government of Pakistan 2006-07
Parveen Shakir “Aks-e-Khushboo” award for best poetry (Daryaa-e-Gumaan) Parveen Shakir Trust, Islamabad 1998
Waseeqa-e-Aitraaf, Shaam-e-Hamdard, Hamdard Foundation Peshawar 1994
Best Lyricist award, PTV Peshawar 1993
Bolan award for best dramatist / poetry, Bolan academy 1993
Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar award (Gold Medal) for best poetry (Aathwaan aasmaan bhi neela hai) Abaseen Arts Council Peshawar 1988-89
Presidential National award (Seerat Conference) 1987
Tributes
Ghulam Muhammad Qasir Academy founded in Nawan Killi Toru (Mardan) by one of his student, Mr. Peerzada,
Ghulam Muhammad Qasir Memorial Society founded in New York,
A Forum founded by the name of “Tasalsul” which brings out a literary journal.
Mr. Qasir was founder and the first chairman of a literary society ” Takhleeq, International” from Peshawar.
Mr. Qasir remained member of Pakistan Writers’ Guild and Abaseen Arts Council, Peshawar.
All writings of Mr. Qasir enjoyed huge popularity especially among young people and have been selling like hot cakes.
Thousands of Mr. Qasir’s students have greatly appreciated him and are working on several high posts throughout the country
A lecturer, Mr.Sohail Ahmed is writing his research paper for M.Phil on the works of Mr. Qasir from Urdu Department, University of Peshawar.
Since 1970 until his death (1999) he has regularly participated in all important national & religious functions and occasions on Radio Pakistan and Pakistan Television PTV Peshawar
Many of his lyrics were composed and sung by famous singers.
Mr. Qasir has written more than 70 dramas and programmes for PTV Peshawar and Radio Pakistan, among which the most popular TV serials were Talash and Bhoot Bangla (Haunted Bungalow).
Mr. Qasir has participated in many International Literary Symposis, Conferences, Mushairas in the United States, where he was highly appreciated and was invited several times to U.K, India, Dubai and Iran.
Mr.Qasir participated in many literary conferences held under the auspices of “Halqa-e-Arbab-e-Zoq, New York.
Pathanay Khan
Pathanay Khan (Ghulam Muhammad) was a famous Seraiki folk singer from Pakistan. He sang Kafis which were largely based on the Sufi poetry of Baba Bulle Shah, Khwaja Ghulam Farid and Shah Hussain. He was born in 1926 in the village situated in the Thal Desert, several miles from Kot Addu.
Pathanay Khan was much closed to his mother. She took good care of him and tried to educate him. But, he, like his father Khameesa Khan, spent his time wandering, contemplating and singing. His nature lured him away from school after the seventh class. He started singing, mostly the Kafis of Khwaja Ghulam Farid. His first teacher was Baba Mir Khan, who taught him everything he knew. Singing did not earn him enough, so the young Pathanay Khan started collecting firewood for his mother, who used to make bread for the villagers. This enabled the family to earn a very humble living. It is said that remembering those days brought tears to his eyes and he believed that it was his love for God, music, and Khwaja Farid that gave him strength to bear the burden. Pathanay Khan adopted singing as a profession in earnest after his mother’s death. His singing had the capacity to bewitch his listeners.
Pathanay Khan was completely devoted to Khwaja Farid. He gave his own deeper meaning to Khwaja Sahib’s poetry through his typical style and spirit of singing. For example, Khwaja Farid’s kafi “Piloo pakian vay” has been sung by Suraiya Multanikar, Hussain Bakhsh Dhadhi and many others. Suraiya Multanikar’s composition presents it as a light folk song, while Hussain Bakhsh Dhadhi presents it as a classical piece decorated by his unique taans in the style of the Ashiq Ali Khan. However, Pathanay Khan’s version of this kafi brings a deeper cosmic meaning to it.
In 1976, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, then prime minister of Pakistan, invited him to Islamabad for a classified performance. When Pathanay Khan sang “Dil li dilree lutee tain yaar sajan, Kadi mor maharan tay wal a watan”, Bhutto broke into tears. After the program, the prime minister asked Pathanay Khan three times if he had any desire. Each time the singer’s reply was, “Bhutto Sahib, aap ko gharib awaam ki parat ho” (Bhutto Sahib, take care of the poor). At this, Bhutto hugged Pathanay Khan and said “I will surely take care of the poor”.
He was given the President’s Pride of Performance Award.
Pathanay Khan died after a protracted illness at his native town of Kot Addu on March 9, 2000. His funeral was attended by a large number of people including poets, intellectuals, lawyers, educationalists and district officials. He was laid to rest at his native graveyard in Kot Addu. God Bless Him (Ameeen)
Pathanay Khan was much closed to his mother. She took good care of him and tried to educate him. But, he, like his father Khameesa Khan, spent his time wandering, contemplating and singing. His nature lured him away from school after the seventh class. He started singing, mostly the Kafis of Khwaja Ghulam Farid. His first teacher was Baba Mir Khan, who taught him everything he knew. Singing did not earn him enough, so the young Pathanay Khan started collecting firewood for his mother, who used to make bread for the villagers. This enabled the family to earn a very humble living. It is said that remembering those days brought tears to his eyes and he believed that it was his love for God, music, and Khwaja Farid that gave him strength to bear the burden. Pathanay Khan adopted singing as a profession in earnest after his mother’s death. His singing had the capacity to bewitch his listeners.
Pathanay Khan was completely devoted to Khwaja Farid. He gave his own deeper meaning to Khwaja Sahib’s poetry through his typical style and spirit of singing. For example, Khwaja Farid’s kafi “Piloo pakian vay” has been sung by Suraiya Multanikar, Hussain Bakhsh Dhadhi and many others. Suraiya Multanikar’s composition presents it as a light folk song, while Hussain Bakhsh Dhadhi presents it as a classical piece decorated by his unique taans in the style of the Ashiq Ali Khan. However, Pathanay Khan’s version of this kafi brings a deeper cosmic meaning to it.
In 1976, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, then prime minister of Pakistan, invited him to Islamabad for a classified performance. When Pathanay Khan sang “Dil li dilree lutee tain yaar sajan, Kadi mor maharan tay wal a watan”, Bhutto broke into tears. After the program, the prime minister asked Pathanay Khan three times if he had any desire. Each time the singer’s reply was, “Bhutto Sahib, aap ko gharib awaam ki parat ho” (Bhutto Sahib, take care of the poor). At this, Bhutto hugged Pathanay Khan and said “I will surely take care of the poor”.
He was given the President’s Pride of Performance Award.
Pathanay Khan died after a protracted illness at his native town of Kot Addu on March 9, 2000. His funeral was attended by a large number of people including poets, intellectuals, lawyers, educationalists and district officials. He was laid to rest at his native graveyard in Kot Addu. God Bless Him (Ameeen)
Lacquer Art Wood Work in Dera Ismail Khan
acquer work has always been well-known and familiar in the history. Sub continent Indo-Pak is well known of this art. It was originated in a Mughal family in Moza Jalalabad, tehsil Kethel District Kernal (India) in 1710.
The main products in Lacquer Art Wood Work are candy jar, table lamp, jewellery box and decoration pieces etc were made in this cluster. The product quality can asses from its buyers, most of products are being sold to foreign quests, visitors and executives by government officials. Most of the ministries are the regular buyers of lacquer art products, which they present to various national and international guests and delegations.
Lacquer art is a very stylish hand work on wooden piece with fascinating colors by a skilled artist. The lacquer art manufacturing starts with the selection and cutting of customized pieces of refined Rosewood (Sheesham). The wooden pieces are shaped into different designs and sizes on lathe machine through customary iron tools. Manufacturing of lacquer work is delicate process which starts with raw wooden pieces like show plates and small boxes. The wooden piece is polished and then painted with lacquer in layers of different colors (usually in three or four colors), the layers are sequentially coated completely on each other for example blue color is used first then yellow color is coated on blue and lastly the red color in coated on yellow. The last color which can be seen on coated color which is yellow becomes prominent with a design on it. This can be beautifully done by blade scratching skill. Similarly, if the artisan wants to make the blue color more visible in design then the process remains the same. It is the scratching skill of the artisans which makes a significant difference in the lacquer art to make beautiful designs on wooden pieces.
The main products in Lacquer Art Wood Work are candy jar, table lamp, jewellery box and decoration pieces etc were made in this cluster. The product quality can asses from its buyers, most of products are being sold to foreign quests, visitors and executives by government officials. Most of the ministries are the regular buyers of lacquer art products, which they present to various national and international guests and delegations.
Lacquer art is a very stylish hand work on wooden piece with fascinating colors by a skilled artist. The lacquer art manufacturing starts with the selection and cutting of customized pieces of refined Rosewood (Sheesham). The wooden pieces are shaped into different designs and sizes on lathe machine through customary iron tools. Manufacturing of lacquer work is delicate process which starts with raw wooden pieces like show plates and small boxes. The wooden piece is polished and then painted with lacquer in layers of different colors (usually in three or four colors), the layers are sequentially coated completely on each other for example blue color is used first then yellow color is coated on blue and lastly the red color in coated on yellow. The last color which can be seen on coated color which is yellow becomes prominent with a design on it. This can be beautifully done by blade scratching skill. Similarly, if the artisan wants to make the blue color more visible in design then the process remains the same. It is the scratching skill of the artisans which makes a significant difference in the lacquer art to make beautiful designs on wooden pieces.