By Zehra Naqvi 

In these politically turbulent times when every attempt at speaking freely comes with a feeling of dread, a tinge of fear for ones own wellbeing Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s poem Bol stands as a tribute to expression. Faiz expressed himself with fearless abandon, in person he was humble and soft spoken but in ink his words were insightful and brutally honest which even resulted in his imprisonment. His less political works are full of simple but powerful imagery, encapsulating feelings of love and loss.

Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s centennial birthday is being celebrated in London on 11^th June 2011 at Friends House in central London and guests include Zia Mohyeddin, Javed Akhtar, Salman Alvi, Tariq Ali and Faiz's daughters: Moneeza and Salima Hashmi. The event will end with a performance by Laal, a Pakistani band. The programme is below.

One of my favourite couplet is a short soothing ode to fond memories:

Raat yun dil mei teri khoi hui yaad aai
Jaisay Wairanay mei chupke se bahar aa jaye
Jaisay Sehraon mei hollay sy chalay baad-e naseem
Jaisy bimar ko be waja qarar aa jaye

Translation:

Last night, your lost memories crept into my heart

As spring arrives secretly into a barren garden

As a cool morning breeze blows slowly in a desert

As a sick person feels well, for no reason.

Programme  (11th June 2011):

Session 1: Merey Dil Merey Musafir 2.00pm-4.00pm

Dance

Welcome address

Salima Hashmi & Moneeza Hashmi - Mela opening

Our journey to success: Organisers’ report

Address by media partner GEO

Sardar Mazhar Ali Khan’s reminiscences

Zia Mohyeddin recites Faiz's poems

Talk by IA Rehman

Talk by Abid Hassan Minto

Drama - DEAR HEART (Sam Lathem & group)

Session 2: Koo-ay-Yaar Say Soo-ay-Dar 4.30pm-6.00pm

Zia Mohyeddin – Meray Faiz Saheb

Iftikhar Arif – Kuchch Yaden Kuchch Batein

Zehra Nigah’s reminiscences

Classical / contemporary dance by Tehreema Mitha

Session 3: Gulon Mein Rung Bharay 7.00pm-10.00pm

Talk by Tariq Ali

Address by Tony Benn

Radhika Chopra sings Faiz

Salman Alvi sings Faiz

LAAL band sings Faiz

Closing by Organising committee

For more details visit the website http://www.faizcentenary.com/

Or find the event on face book http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=171555842899405