Abdul Qadir Junejo Interview by Sanobar Shoro

A dynamic scholar, author Shoukat Shoro

Profile  By Sanober Shoro

There are many people who love their culture and language but very few people in the world who write in order to preserve their culture and mother tongue with their skills, Shokat Shoro is one of them, he has variety of skills. Versatile scholar, drama writer, script producer and author of many books were born on 4-7-1947 in a little village of district Sujawal.

Shokat Shoro belongs to a civilized family of Shoro, the family who accepted Islam at the time period of Muhammad Bin Qasim. He brought up in his village, his father Abdul Kareem Shoro was a judge. He took his early education from Chandia High School Sajawal and did his matriculation in 1963. Later he went to Sachal Arts College

Hyderabad for intermediate and after completion he moved to University of Sindh and completed his masters in 1968. He got married in 1974 and has two daughters and a son.

Shokat Shoro started writing from very little age; he used to read children magazines “Gulistan” and books “Toto Mena” and “Hatim Tai”. Jamal Abro, Naseem Kharal, and Hameed Sindhi inspired him by their skills as he was fond of writing since childhood. He was in matric when he wrote his first story which lifted him to the peak of success. It was a short story published in “Rooh  Rihan magazine”. At that time, newspapers used to publish children pages. He started writing in Hilal Pakistan, Ibrat and in Gul Phul magazine.

During Matriculation he had a part time job at Pinyari feeder, his earning was 60 rupees only and he was additionally working as telephone operator because of his financial problems. Multi-talented Shokat did not lost hope and remain committed. With the passage of time, he became the owner of skills. He wrote in “Mehran” and “Sohni” magazine. He has written many books; “Bhuri Dharti Bhurro Akash”, “Akhin Me Tangial Sapna” and “Gum Thial Paacho” is best of his collections.

“Gum Thial Pacho” (Missing Shadow) was published in India, which gave him popularity. He received great response and awarded Sindhi Adbi Award for his work. This award was presented to him by the famous lawyer of India, Ram Jeth Malhani in Mumbai on May 14th, 2015.

He has been the solo and serial drama writer as well. He wrote for Radio Pakistan and Pakistan Television. He had been script producer at PTV from 1974 to 1977. His famous solo play is “Bakh” in which character of “Molu” is still remembered by the viewers. Another drama was “Soneti” written on “Sindh Rani” the wife of Mir Bago, the former ruler of Sindh. “Dhuban” drama also gained appreciation from public which was written about the Robbers.  

Later he was appointed in University of Sindh as Student Welfare of Stakes officer in 1977. He worked at different posts in Administration sector time by time, during the post of Additional controller of examination he threatened to death by some political leaders but loyal Shokat never cared about his life and remained sincere with his job. His last post at university was Director of Sindhology Department. He retired from this designation in 2009.

Shokat Shoro has an excellent ability to write good quality content. He has been a columnist as well; his articles have been published by leading newspapers. His last book “Rat jo Rin” was published in 2013. The genius Shokat Shoro says: "His purpose of writing is to save civilization from destruction". He vocalized his opinions saying that: "Our new generation is far behind of literature because our education system is not good".

The skillful writer avoids from the crowds as he prefers solitude.

Edited by Qirat Fatima

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REVISED 

Abdul Qadir Junejo is author of 15 books, bundle of TV serials, short stories and novel. He was born on 1st November 1945 in little village Jinhan, district Tharparkar, he got his early education from his village. He went in diverse districts for education. He did his matriculation from High school Diplo in 1961 and moved to Shah Latif College Mirpurkhas for intermediate. Later d did his masters in sociology from University of Sindh. Initially he started his career as government teacher. When Shaikh Ayaz became VC of Sindh University; he called Junejo to join Sindhology, where he worked with Mehtab Akber Rashidi, Shoukat Shoro, Qasim Maka and others. Later he was promoted to Director of Sindhology. His last government assignment was chairman of Sindhi Language Authority.

 Q: What inspired you to become an author?

Ans: The nature, the deserts and the people of my village inspired me. They were not educated but were having wide vision, the story telling people the herders were my teachers. My father was police officer I used to go with him to visit different jails where I used to observe the different criminals their stories and studied their nature I was very much interested in human nature hence i started writing. The skills were in my inherent I just needed the track which was given me by my step mother she guided me what is life and in telling her observation. She was more mother of mine than the real mother. She was robber but quite talented was very tall and beautiful.

Q: How much you highlighted Sindhi culture in your drama stories?

Ans: My 70% content is about the culture and the village life, whether it is drama story or any book story. Now a days I am writing a novel “Rustics” (Gothana), its also about the village life. It will be publish in America.

Q: It is generally said standard of Sindhi drama is low, do you agree?

Ans: Mostly the subject is shown the gun culture, Wadera system etc. Writers are focusing on such issues and they have no techniques they highlight the one side of the story there is no balance. If there is character of robber they only show his negativity they don’t tell that why did he become like this. A writer should write both the things real as well as fictitious than your story will be more interested.

     

Q: You wrote many dramas for Ptv, which was your most popular drama?

Ans: “Choti si dunya” was my most popular drama in all over the world people love to watch it even today. Dr Hellen Pasu wrote thesis on this drama (free university government) in German language named “small worlds”. She was very inspired of my drama. In this drama there was direct attack to the German people the Chief Justice of Punjab High Court Shoukat Rizwi said “Junejo bari safai se contempt of court se bach gaye”.

Q: How do you feel that people like Shabana Azmi, Parvez Musharrf are your fan?  

Ans: Yes there are many personalities who are my biggest fan but for me all are equal an ordinary or a big personality it does not matter. My “Seerhiyan” drama was most popular in South Asia. Shabana Azmi became my fan watching this drama.  

Q: You got two times Presidents Pride of Performance award where as its against of law, even you got it what were your feelings?

Ans: I’m first and last person who got this award, for the first time Ghulam Ishaq Khan awarded me and again in 2008 the great fan of mine Parvez Musharraf gave me the same award. When I was nominated for this and called in President House Musharaf asked me: You have written the “Choti si Dunya”, I said yes. He said to his adviser I am giving this Award to Abdul Qadir, his adviser said, Sir he has got already and there is no rule for second time. Musharaf said I am president and marked on my name and awarded me. It was prestigious pride for me.

Q:Why the PTV is losing viewership?

Ans: Ptv is about to finish the main reason is the producers and the directors they sell the time. When your production side is weak your story will be fail even if it is good. The directors do not catch the spirit of the script. Ptv is being watched only because of sports. The original work was spoiled. The directors died who made the Ptv popular. Now a days there are corrupt people of different parties, another reason is western culture. It is emerging rapidly.

Q: When & how the downfall starts of a writer?

Ans: When a writer become satisfied from his any written piece of story and become happy and feel himself genius in writing or skills his downfall starts.

Q: You are not writing any drama for last few years what is the reason? Were you not approached from any tv channel or there is another reason?

Ans: No, not at all. I am still asked to write drama but now I am Esnglish novel writer they cannot afford me. Few of the channels and directors approached me but i refused because now a days there is formula writing the directors ask the writer for dictation and write according their wish

Q: Any massage for young generation?

Ans: I never give massages or instruction to people but take messages from them. I always try to learn and observe the people because the learning process never ends. And still i m not satisfied from my work I still feel something is left.

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Referred back

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Some points 16 sindhi drama, 7 sindhi drama serials, in Urdu 6 drama and 15 serials

Deewareen, Karwaan, Seerrhya, Dukh Sukh, Thorri Khushi thorra Ghum, Paranda,

Watoon, Ratyoon aeen rol (short stoies), Shiklyoon (profiles/ sketches)  Weendar wahi aen Lahndarr Sij, Wada Adeeb wadyoon Galehyoon (translation), Sono Ropo sij (translation), Everest te charrhai(translation), Kursi (Columns), Chho, chha aen keyan? (Translation), Letters of two writers, Dar Dar ja musafir (cultural ethics), wann wann jee kathi translation, Chha Likhaan (columns)

He won Best writer PTV award in 1983 on Deewareen drama, Best writer PTV award in Karwaan in 1985, PTV silver jubilee award in 1989, Best Award of the decade 1988 to 1998 (Jaar)

Interview with drama writer Abdul Qadir Junejo

The author of 15 book, bundle of dramas and novel was born on 1st November 1945 in little village Jinhan, district Tharparkar, he got his early education from his village he went in diverse districts for education, he did his matriculation from High school Deeplo in 1961 and moved to Shah Latif College Mirpur khas for intermediate and did his masters from university of sindh in sociology.

 Q: What inspired you to become an Author?

Ans: The nature, the deserts and the people of my village inspired me, they were not educated but were having wide vision the story telling people the herders were my teachers, my father was police officer i used to go with him to visit different jails where i used to observe the different criminals, their stories and studied there nature i was very much interested in human nature hence i started writing, The skills were in my inherent i just needed the track which was given me by my step mother she guided me what is life and in telling her observation,she was more mother of mine than the real mother. She was robber but quite talented she was very tall and beautiful.

Q: How much you highlighted sindhi culture in your drama stories?

Ans: My 70% content is about the culture and the village life, whether it is drama story or any book story, now a days i am writing a novel “Rustics” (gothana) its also about the village life.

Q: Why standard of sindhi drama is low?

Ans: Mostly the subject is shown the gun culture, wadera system etc writers are focusing on such issues. And they have no techniques they highlight the one side of the story there is no balance, if there is character of robber they only show his negativity they don’t tell that why did he become like this, a writer should write both the things real as well as fictitious than your story will be more interested.

     

Q: You wrote many dramas for Ptv ,which was your most popular drama?

Ans: “Choti si dunya” was my most popular drama in all over the world people love to watch it even today, dr hellen pasu wrote thesis on this drama(free university government) in german language named “small worlds”  she was very inspired of my drama. In this drama there was direct attack to the german people the Chief Justice of punjab high court Shokat Rizwi said “Junejo bari safai se contempt of court se bach gaye”.

Q: How do you feel that people like shabana azmi, parvez musharf are your fan?  

Ans: yes there are many personalities who are my biggest fan but for me all are equal a common or a big personality it does not matter . “seerhiyan” drama was most popular in south asia, shabana azmi become my fan watching this drama.  

Q: You got two times Presidents pride of performance award, where as its against of law, even you got it what was your feelings?

Ans: i m first and last person who got this award, for the first time Ghulam ishaq awarded me and again in 2008 the great fan of mine Parvez Musharraf gave me the same award, when i was nominated for this and called in president house, the musharaf asked me that you have written the Choti si Dunya, i said yes. he said to his adviser i am giving this to Abdul Qadir, his adviser said sir he has got already and there is no rule for second the president said i am president, and marked on my name , it was prestigious pride for me.

Q:Why the viewership of ptv is ending?

Ans: P.Tv is about to finish the main reason is the producers and the directors they sell the time, when your production side is weak your story will be fail even if it is good, the directors do not catch the spirit of the script. ptv is being watched only because of sports the original work was spoiled the directors died who made the ptv popular now a days there are corrupt people of different parties, another reason is western culture it is emerging rapidly.

Q; When & how the downfall starts of a writer?

Ans: When a writer become satisfied from his any written piece of story, and become happy and feel himself genius in writing or skills his downfall starts.

Q:You are not writing any drama for last few years what is the reason? Were you not approached from any tv channel or there is another reason?

Ans: no not all, i am still asked to write drama, but now i am english novel writer they can not afford me. Few of the channels and directors approached me but i refused because now a days there is formula writing the directors ask the writer for dictation and write according their wish

Q: Any massage for young generation?

Ans: I never give massages or instruction to people, I always try to learn and observe the people because the learning process never ends. And still i m not satisfied from my work still feel something is left.

Practical work carried under supervision of Sir Sohail Sangi