This is with reference to the article ‘Dilip Kumar and Sher-O-Sukhan’ (EOS, July 18), which, as one can sense, is an elegy of Dilip Kumar, the great thespian. The article has quoted an incident in which the Padma Shri-decorated actor Tom Alter asked Dilip about what made the latter churn out such ubiquitous magic and excellence on the silver screen. Dilip’s answer was simple: “Sher-o-sukhan”, meaning poetry and literature.

This is also a befitting reply to many of our science and technology buffs, who in their ignorance wonder what good is the study of poetry and literature in this age. It was certainly the in-depth study of poetry and literature that made Dilip unique amongst his peers.

Poetry and literature provided him the nuance in understanding his characters and delivering his dialogues. The understanding of poetry and literature created the harmony between the actor and the roles he played. Some of the golden hit songs of his films were beautifully lip-synced by Dilip due to his love for and understanding of poetry.

Akbar Jan Marwat
Islamabad

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WHEN the super legend Dilip Kumar visited Pakistan in 1988 and 1998 respectively, I happened to attend two of the events held in his honour in Karachi. In 1988, the function was held at a local hotel and besides Dilip, it was attended by his wife Saira Bano as well as singers Nazia and Zohaib Hasan.

After Dilip had made an eloquent speech delivered in a combination of English and Urdu, the then chief minister of Sindh, Akhtar Ali G. Kazi, presented him with the traditional Sindhi ajrak and a cap. As the cap covered the front of Dilip’s hair, Saira got up from her seat and placed it properly so that the audience could see his popular hairstyle which was emulated by millions of young men in the subcontinent during the late icon’s peak decades.

Dilip told the audience that celebrities and people with fame are surrounded by sycophants most of the time which bloats their egos unnecessarily. In order to bring them back to reality and maintain their balance, they should get themselves involved in social work and reach out to the poor to help in bringing improvement in their lives.

The video of the song Ae dil mujhe aisi jagah le chal jahan koi na ho, played by the hosts in the presence of the actor, was enchanting. The beautiful song had been sung by another great, Talat Mahmood, for the film Arzoo.

The event of 1998 was held at the Governor House and was hosted by the then governor, Lt-Gen (retd) Moinuddin Haider.

Two cassettes of film songs picturised on Dilip were distributed among the invitees. One of them contained a song sung by Dilip himself, from which I came to know that he could sing reasonably well.

There was also a song-and-dance performance by children who encircled Dilip while singing. A joyful smile remained on Dilip’s face throughout the performance and, to me, it appeared as if I was watching some movie of his.

Dilip never acted in Lollywood movies or lived in Pakistan, but he will always remain close to our hearts.

Parvez Rahim
Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2021