This is with reference of a Mahfill-l-Mosiqi in the memory of Ziarat Khan
Zarak at Booni
Chitral sponsored by Lal Music Centre in 2007. Recently, I got a CD
of the said program. It was a great program of a great Sufi poet.
Of course Ziarat Khan was a tremendous, unique and a great Sufi poet of
Chitrali language. He never lost his courage, truthfulness, and highly
respected logical thinking against the brutality, ruthlessness, vileness and
self made law of the ruler of the time. He opposed and challenged his
illegal imprisonment in Gazu, Torkhow through his poetry and told the people
to stand up against the cruel rule of Mehtar of
Chitral against his
policy’ of “divide and rule” in the name of religion.
He recalled the ruler reminding of his status giving an extremely unique
example of a bird “Shantiq” (woodpecker). Shantiq is an unknown, weak, and
useless bird that always depended on others for her food and protection. In
another example, Malang
directly asks: “How can one penny and gold be equal?”
I personally appreciate Lal Music Centre for its awesome job regarding this
unique program. The singer Zia Wali Zia, his performance is unexplainable
and other companion are also very well.
Mowla Nigah Nigah’s address regarding
Malang ’s poetry and
background is a historical document highlighting all the fundamental aspect
of Malang ’s poetry,
specially his true stand and argument against ruler of the time and reason
of his exile from Sonoghr to Gazu.
In the middle of the program when the commentator invited one of the
participants to speak about
Malang 's poetry, introducing him; Zafaruallah Parwaz “; an
educationist of Chitral
(Ah-le-Ilum)”. I was surprised to know - educationists?
Mr.Zafaruallah spoke totally out of the theme and at one point, he was
puzzled and said “I cannot reveal anything in front of the camera” and due
to that, the camera man had to turn it off. This effected and changed the
whole image of the program.
Lastly, I am personally requesting deferentially, if there are any kind of
historical programs in the future, individuals should be invited to address
themselves who are fully behest and have the knowledge about our history,
culture, literature, poetry and music. This is , so that no one can get
misconception and quarrel.
Gul Jee,
Richmond Hill ON, Canada.