KARACHI, May 8: Glowing tributes were paid to senior journalist, notable art critic, copywriter and ad-man, Baseer Ashraf, at a function organised on Saturday evening at the Karachi Press Club. Admirers and friends besides his family members had gathered there to remember Baseer Ashraf, and to hear about the different facets of the life of a thorough professional and a humanist, who was known for his straight-forward attitude and keen wit. The Ibrahim Jalees Hall of the KPC was overcrowded, and many people had to stand outside.
In fact, a mural dome by renowned Indian artist M.F. Hussain inside the hall was only possible because of Baseer Ashraf’s connectivity and relationship with creative personalities.
He was entirely self-taught, entirely self-made in the true sense of the word. He reached the highest level awarded to a non-white in the British High Commission. His friends remembered him not only as a brilliant visionary, a problem solver, but also as a very generous person, who was always there to assist anyone who came to him for help.
The former editor of Dawn, Saleem Asmi, traced his friendship with Baseer Ashraf, which grew steadily with the passage of time and transformed into a relationship after the marriage of their children.
Mr Asmi, who became emotional while speaking about a long-time friend, said Baseer Ashraf’s Urdu prose was excellent, as he was a good artist.
Recalling fond memories of his friend, Mr Asmi said Mr Ashraf use to share all his problems with him, whether domestic or professional.
Renowned poet and critic Prof Sahar Ansari said Baseer Ashraf was a non-conformist and had made a place for himself in a highly competitive world through his creativity. Baseer Ashraf was inspired by artistes like Shahid Sajjad, Ali Imam and Jamil Naqsh.
Aftab Tapal paid him tributes not only as an outstanding advertising man but also as a person, who loved art and was always friendly while at the same time ready to accept challenges.
Baseer Ashraf’s wife, Sabiha, who was conducting the proceedings, said that in thought, deed, words or images, Baseer came across as the most genuine and least artificial man. She hoped that a book on Baseer Ashraf through word and images would be possible.
“In our own differing ways, we all knew Baseer Ashraf. It is hard to divide or compartmentalize any personality when it is as individualistic as Baseer’s was. If style is the imprint of a personality, that imprint was deeply embedded in everything about him,” said Sabiha Ashraf.
Seema Zafar remembered Baseer Ashraf as a man who was never at a loss for words.
Baseer Ashraf was innovative and introduced computer graphic technology to his paintings and was always eager to learn more things to perfect his art.
In the words of his daughter Nina, “Baseer Ashraf was a brilliant, eccentric, totally unconventional, extraordinarily creative, witty, childlike in his curiosity, and had love for learning, a visionary, overflowing with wisdom, brutally honest, extremely undiplomatic totally loving and giving, easy to please, totally unpretentious. He towered above everyone else.”
KARACHI, May 8: Glowing tributes were paid to senior journalist, notable art critic, copywriter and ad-man, Baseer Ashraf, at a function organised on Saturday evening at the Karachi Press Club. Admirers and friends besides his family members had gathered there to remember Baseer Ashraf, and to hear about the different facets of the life of a thorough professional and a humanist, who was known for his straight-forward attitude and keen wit. The Ibrahim Jalees Hall of the KPC was overcrowded, and many people had to stand outside.
