FULL of life and vitality, renowned playwright and advisor to the chief minister of Sindh, Fatima Suraiya Bajia admits she enjoys watching movies but rarely has the time to purposefully sit and watch a film.
“Often, if there is a good Indian movie being shown on television, and it happens to catch my attention, I sit and watch the remaining portions of it. Recently they were showing an old Rajesh Khanna movie, Amar Prem and I watched it even though I’ve seen it thrice before.” However, what Bajia truly enjoys watching are historical movies. Says she “I love films with a strong storyline, and that are based on an absorbing subject. Movies that are brimming with feelings and emotions are really enjoyable. My favourite historical films include Ten Commandments and Jesus of Nazareth. Although I am not too much into romantic movies, I loved Romeo and Juliet which I have seen many times.” Not surprisingly, among Bajia’s favourite flicks are also The Far Pavilion and Bridge on the River Kwai, both of which she found amazing.
As for Pakistani movies, Bajia says she used to be very fond of them and remembers some vintage ones she had particularly enjoyed, such as Gumnaam, Katil and Intezar. She even remembers a Punjabi film starring Anjuman — Mela - which she had watched during a film festival. Says the thespian “The film was beautiful, but unfortunately didn’t fare well at the box-office.” As for the relatively recent crop of local movies, Bajia admits that she has been occasionally bulldozed in Lahore into seeing some, but has invariably got up half-way, not being able to stomach the vulgar dances. She is of the strong opinion that local films need to improve their act.
Children will be thrilled to know that Bajia watches and enjoys cartoons as well, but she is quick to point out that she doesn’t like the “new” ones. “I thoroughly enjoy the old cartoons like that of Cinderella and Snow White and also enjoy Charlie Chaplin movies.
As for music, Bajia hails from a household that not only appreciates good music, but has knowledge of it. She claims all the siblings enjoy listening to semi-classical and classical pieces. Raag Malhar is among the many raags that Bajia claims her family particularly enjoys.
Bajia is equally fond of listening to ghazals rendered by Indian singers Mukesh, Muhammad Rafi, Talat Mehmud, Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. However, although she still likes listening to Lata she feels her voice is no longer what it used to be. Of the local singers, Bajia’s list of favourites is just as long, if not longer. She rates Tina Sani highly and feels “She has given poetry a new face.” The late Madam Noor Jehan and Malika Pukhraj, Roshan Ara Begum, Farida Khanum, Nayyara Noor, Hadiqa Kyani and Rubina all score highly with this generous personality. She cannot be coerced to name one favourite as she says she has no right to put down any one or to consider one inferior to the other. She does concede though, that Teray meray milan ki yeh rehna is one of the most memorable songs she’s heard. The playwright enjoys English music as well and Blowing in the Wind is one of her favourites. She also likes Elton John’s dedication to the memory of Princess Diana, Candle in the Wind. Bajia also claims she enjoys listening to hymns. She also says that she can merrily listen to Italian songs even though she doesn’t understand the words, for she enjoys their sur.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that Bajia loves to read and is fond of both English and Urdu books. She says “I can read anything as long as it is not vulgar. For instance there was a time when Lady Chatterly’s Lover had created a real stir and everyone was reading it, but I was not tempted at all, since I knew its theme. In fact, if I am not impressed by the theme of a book, I never read it, no matter how controversial it is. For the same reason, I didn’t read Salman Rushdie’s Satanic Verses.” However, if it is a controversial historical book, Bajia admits she makes it a point to read it, so that it can give her a fresh perspective and enhance her knowledge.
Bajia says she often reads books that are recommended to her and has read some really good books written by unknown authors. At the same time, she has also read all the usual classics voracious readers normally read. Among Urdu writers, Bajia is all praise for Qurat-ul-Ain Hyder and in spite of herself, is forced to admit “She has no parallel. I have read many Hindi, Indian and Kashmiri women writers, but Qurat-ul-Ain is the best.”
According to Bajia expression is what she loves in books. She finds those books fascinating which use simple language to express profound thoughts. Currently she is dramatizing Woman in White and says “It is a great book. Life is full of stories, and books, even fiction, are inspired from real life. Human emotions and experiences are the same the world over, and so it is easy to draw characters from and relate to others’ writings as well. But, I always like to give credit to whoever I draw from.”
FULL of life and vitality, renowned playwright and advisor to the chief minister of Sindh, Fatima Suraiya Bajia admits she enjoys watching movies but rarely has the time to purposefully sit and watch a film.
