Feb 01
Iffat Omar’s poetics
Iffat Omar
My o my… showbiz and literature don’t mix well, you would say, and that fine, fine Urdu poet Shakil Badayuni must be turning in his grave.
The other day model, actress and host Iffat Omer was seen anchoring a music show (which may have been a re-run) on PTV. A very talented singer Ali Raza was the star of the show, and was supposed to sing ghazals and nazms by great Urdu poets. While introducing the poet Shakil Badayuni (who had numerous successful Indian movie songs to his credit) Iffat gave his brief career background, and then God knows why recited one of his couplets. The way she toiled (and toyed) with the verse was a sight to behold and hear. It appeared as if she was in a primary school learning to read Urdu with a fair bit of difficulty.
Just a thought: there’s a thing called ‘rehearsal’. It can save you from many a last-minute-hassle.
