Anwar Maqsood, Pakistan’s famous writer, intellectual and satirist, says that he has not done anything in his life to be remembered.
On the occasion of Eid, Independent Urdu had a special interview with him which is a courtesy.
Feedback on Eid
Anwar Maqsood, recalling his memories regarding Eid, said that as a child, he used to sleep with his new shoes next to the pillow, so that in the morning he would wear them and go to offer Eid prayers with the elders.
‘The day of Eid used to be such that even if people were angry with each other, they would come home and say that today is the day of Eid.’
He said that ‘we were 10 brothers and sisters, now four are left. Zubaydah was my younger sister, lunch was at her house on Eid.
‘The whole family used to go. As long as Bijaya was alive, we were the first to go to her. After the sighting of the Eid moon, it was our duty to go and congratulate Amma.’
He added that everything has become a dream. Children don’t even go to meet their elders on the day of Eid anymore, they have their own activities.
Significance of Eid
Regarding Eidi, Anwar Maqsood said that his grandchildren do not call him Dada but Anwar.
When they ask how much Anwar is giving Eid, my son Bilal and his wife forbid them from taking Eid from grandfather. In such a situation, they secretly indicate to me to come to one side and give us Eid.
‘I also cook for them. They ask me that Anwar is feeding us today. Now they all live in other countries and are busy with their lives, but when they come, my Eid happens.’
Letters from Past Personalities
In Anwar Maqsood’s popular YouTube series Anwar Nama, he has read the letters and dialogues of many personalities of the past, including Ghalib, Habib Jalib, Patris Bukhari, Ahmed Faraz, Manto, Allama Iqbal and many other famous personalities. Includes letters.
“Even today I receive letters from Ghalib, Iqbal and John Elia among the new people. I keep writing to them about the situation here. They thank Allah that not in today’s era.’
He added that the situation is not always the same. “I know that good days are coming. In other countries, the coming year is better than the previous years, but here (in Pakistan) it is the opposite.”
Anwar Maqsood and Social Media
Poetry, sayings and political and non-political tweets keep circulating in the name of Anwar Maqsood on social media. However, during the conversation, Anwar Maqsood clarified that he does not have any social media account.
‘I don’t even have WhatsApp. I have a simple phone. Now what can I do with this phone? I can only greet and talk by pressing green buttons, I don’t even know how to send messages.’
He further said that social media cannot be stopped but a culture should come.
Loose Talk and Moin Akhtar
About the program ‘Loose Talk’ with Moin Akhtar on ARY Digital from 2002 to 2008, he said that he wrote for Moin for 36 years, including a few years of Loose Talk.
“I didn’t start loose talk with anyone else after Moeen because I think no one else can sit in Moeen’s chair.” ‘
He said that he keeps getting offers to do shows from India but I reply that I can’t come there.
He recalled one thing of Moin Akhtar and said that he was very fond of wearing suits. ‘Moin Akhtar used to wear a suit even in someone’s chaelam.
‘Moin had about 400 suits but no wardrobe. In his house, all the suits were hung on a long stick from the drawing room to other rooms.
During the interview, when Anwar Maqsood was asked what he wanted future generations to remember him for, after pondering this question for a few moments, his eyes got a little moist, he smiled and They said, ‘I have not done anything to make people remember me.’
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#life #people #remember #Anwar #Maqsood
**Interview with Anwar Maqsood: Reflections on Eid and the Importance of Family**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Mr. Maqsood. With Eid around the corner, can you share some of your fondest childhood memories of this special occasion?
**Anwar Maqsood:** Thank you for having me. Eid used to be a magical time for us. As a child, I would sleep with my new shoes next to my pillow, eager to wear them for morning prayers. It was a day when even disputes were set aside; everyone would come together and celebrate, forgetting their differences, at least for the day.
**Interviewer:** That sounds truly heartwarming. How has your family’s tradition evolved over the years?
**Anwar Maqsood:** Well, we used to be a large family, with ten siblings, but now we are down to four. Eid lunches at my sister Zubaydah’s place were cherished. Our family would gather, and it was our tradition to greet our mother after sighting the Eid moon. Nowadays, things have changed; children are busy with their own lives and often don’t prioritize these family gatherings.
**Interviewer:** That’s certainly a shift from the past. Speaking of traditions, how do you feel about the practice of giving ‘Eidi’ now?
**Anwar Maqsood:** Ah, it’s quite different. My grandchildren don’t call me ‘Dada’ — they just refer to me as Anwar. My son and his wife would rather they not take Eidi from me openly. So we have these little secret exchanges; they’ll ask me to give them Eidi quietly. When they visit, I often cook for them, and they say, “Anwar is feeding us today.” Those moments are special; they make my Eid truly joyous.
**Interviewer:** Family connections are indeed vital. You’ve also been reflecting on letters from past personalities in your YouTube series. What impact does that have on you?
**Anwar Maqsood:** It’s fascinating to reconnect with great thinkers like Ghalib and Iqbal. I often feel as though I still receive letters from them, where I share insights about today’s challenges. They express their gratitude for not living in our current era. It’s a reminder that while times change, the essence of human experiences remains the same.
**Interviewer:** As someone who is known for his wit and commentary, how do you navigate the world of social media, especially with so many accounts attributed to you?
**Anwar Maqsood:** Interestingly, I don’t engage with social media at all. I don’t have an account, nor do I use WhatsApp. My phone is quite basic; it only serves the purpose of communicating directly. I find it amusing that people share quotes and tweets in my name without my involvement. I prefer to keep it simple and personal.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mr. Maqsood, for sharing your insights and memories with us. It’s clear that while times may change, the values of family and connection remain significant.
**Anwar Maqsood:** Thank you for having me. I believe that despite the challenges, good days are ahead, and we must cherish our connections and traditions along the way.
