One usually sees Aamir Zaki playing the guitar, but at a recent book launch the unusually shy musician was not strumming but speaking on the book in Urdu based on music and titled Surmaya by writer Khurram Sohail.
“Khurram has put his heart and soul into Surmaya, thus proving that he is very serious about his writing. This is definitely the best interview that I have given so far because he made me feel so comfortable,” said Aamir.
Others who spoke on the occasion included ex-BBC broadcaster Raza Ali Abidi and sitar player Ustad Rais Khan. The programme which was held at the Japan Cultural Centre was conducted by Sania Saeed.
Introducing the book and writer, Sania said that there wasn’t much material on outstanding people in the music industry.
“This book has a collection of brilliant artists, which will be of tremendous help to researchers as well. The writer Khurram Sohail has a knack of asking the right questions,” she said.
Surmaya contains 60 interviews of people who have made a name for themselves in music. It also carries the comments of Indian poet and song writer Gulzar and the preface is by Raza Ali Abidi. The book has been divided into eight sections focusing on classical, semi-classical, folk, pop, bands, instrument players, composers and song writers.
Rais Khan, deviating from his dress code of kurta and pajama was seen wearing a grey suit. He opined that ragas were very important in music and that Ravi Shankar is the best sitar player, just as Bismillah Khan is the best shenai player. In his opinion sarangi is the most musical instrument. “There is a lot of love and effort put in Surmaya. Khurram has written very well at such a young age. I am 72-plus and am still learning music,” said the sitar maestro.
Raza Ali Abidi described Sohail as a labourer who had worked just as hard to write the book as Farhad, in folklore, who made milk flow instead of water. “He has looked inside these people’s soul and brought out their thoughts. Seeing how capable he is in capturing the feelings I have asked him to write my biography.”
He also added that Gulzar, the famous Indian song writer and poet who has written his comments on the book, had a different style of poetry perhaps because he was from the area of Rohtas and thus more like the people on this side of the subcontinent.
Khurram Sohail who is a journalist and broadcaster and has also authored a previous book, said that Surmaya came to be due to the encouragement and help he received from people while writing it, “My mother has helped me in my life, so much so that when we didn’t have enough money she somehow sent me to school. Today, I owe everything to her.”
The Japanese Consul-General impressed by the book said that seeing so many musicians at the programme made him happy as music brings peace and joy into people’s lives and for this reason he was planning a music programme titled Japanese Fest soon.