One fine morning  after a long absence a journal unexpectedly made its appearance thus giving us a surprise. Savaira, a prestigious literary journal, hardly cares for regularity. But this time its protracted disappearance had led us to conclude that the journal — because of the difficulties it is faced with — has at last breathed its last. But to our pleasant surprise it has once again made its appearance. And the long absence has been duly compensated by the fine writings it has carried in its present issue.

The proportion of good writings in the present issue, which is spread over 480 pages, is fairly long. I am not in a position to review them all. I have chosen to talk about three articles dealing with three distinguished personalities belonging to different departments of letters and arts. The first two are finely written character sketches of Shahid Ahmad Dehlvi and Ibn-i-Hanif written respectively by Dr Aslam Farrukhi and Prof Anwar Ahmad.

The third may not fall in the category of a character sketch, but it is a very informative article about the great musician Badey Ghulam Ali Khan. It has been written by Moeenuddin Hazin Kashmiri who with his knowledge of classical music, is well in a position to talk about the great master's achievements in the field.

He has also spoken quite frankly about the factors which compelled this sensitive musician to say goodbye to Pakistan and migrate to India. Mr Moeenuddin tells us that the ustad was very unhappy to find himself among the people who were insensitive to the art of music and had on that count developed a hostile attitude towards him.

He has chiefly blamed Z.A. Bukhari in this respect. He has also referred to Bukhari Sahib's autobiography, where he has given his own version of the event. Mr Moeenuddin has challenged his version contradicting each of the statements made in it.

The character sketch of Mirza Ibn-e-Hanif brings before us a man, who can be cited as an ideal scholar, an example of pure devotion to knowledge. Mirza Ibn-e-Haneef was a unique personality who had devoted his whole life to the research and study of antiquities.

He had dived deep in the mythologies of the world. And he expected no reward for his scholarly achievements. With him it was purely a love's labour, acquisition of knowledge for knowledge's sake. After careful calculation he had concluded that Rs 2,000 a month will suffice for him to keep his soul and body together along with his family.

The daily Imroze of Multan engaged him agreeing to pay the required amount as monthly salary. When the paper approved an increment of Rs1,000 in his monthly salary, he returned it with thanks saying that he needs no more than Rs 2,000 a month for the sustenance of his family.

When going on a research tour, he took care to apply for leave without pay. He believed in honest living to the point where it appeared to be an idiosyncrasy of an eccentric scholar. When being on his death bed he refused to accept the grant extended to him by the Pakistan Academy of Letters.

The Academy's cheque was returned with thanks. It was sent back for the second time when it was issued in the name of his wife. What a fine man this scholar was. And what a fine portrayal of his by his friend Anwar Ahmad.

As for Shahid Ahmad Dehlvi's character sketch it has been written by Dr Aslam Farrukhi, who is already known to us as one accomplished in the art of this kind of writing. He has to his credit a number of character sketches including one written about Shahid Sahib. But the enriched personality of this man has inspired him to write for the second time about him.

Dr Farrukhi belonged to his close circle of friends during his second phase of life. The first phase had come to an abrupt end with his forced migration from his ancestral home in Delhi. The sad story of this migration has been depicted in his famous reportage 'Dilli Ki Bipta'.

His years in Karachi stand in contrast to his life spent in his ancestral city. Here he had to face hard times, and yet he endured it all with grace sticking to the same elegance which has his way of life in Delhi. Dr Farrukhi keenly observed all this and has now described it in a way which does justice to the man he is trying to portray.