Pakistani playwright Anwar Maqsood, who was born in 1935, wears different hats. He has worked since 1970s in the entertainment industry in different roles of TV host, satirist, humorist, infrequent actor, poet and painter.
Born in Hyderabad state which, in 1935, was part of British Raj and, since 1948, part of India, Anwar Maqsood studied at the Gulbarga Trust School in the neighboring Maharashtra state’s city of Aurangabad.
He served PTV as a presenter for a variety of its shows including Studio Dhai (Studio 2 and a half), Studio Ponay Teen (Studio quarter to three) along with Show Sha.
His sisters are famous like him. Fatima Surayya Bajia is a renowned writer, Zohra Nigah a poet and Zubaida Tariq a cooking expert. His son Bilal Maqsood is a singer with the pop rock band called Strings.
When and how did you join this profession of writing, acting, poetry and become an artist at the same time?
I am for the past 45 years linked with Pakistani TV. I entered this field with a program called Zia Mohiuddin show by writing the last 16 episodes of that program. After that I wrote Fifty Fifty (sketch comedy), Show Sha, Aangan Terha (mini-series) which were milestones in comic television shows and then this continued for the past 45 years. Later I moved to the ARY channel and did a very famous comedy show called Loose Talk for 8 1/2 years and am still a member of the board of directors. I also did paintings and still continue.
What would you like to say about the current situation of Pakistan?
Pakistan is a beautiful country with all the blessings of Allah, but we didn’t care about it. The current crises of electricity and water and the issue of corruption have worsened the situation. Everyone is trying to survive. I feel guilty, because I think I didn’t do what I should have done. Youth must educate themselves, must go to universities no matter how low the standard of education is. I can’t say anything about the future of our country. It’s just like a T20 match. Sometimes I think nothing can be done to rectify what is so tremendously faulty. But then, I see hope like a flickering light at the end of a dark tunnel.
You deliberately raise controversies and take jabs at government officials and departments? Do you face any problem because of your writings?
I have no link with any political party. My link is only with the people of TV. I can’t favor any government. I just speak the truth. The way I write is such that it can put me in trouble anytime. Studio Dhai was an attempt to bring to light the glaring misconduct of the various government departments of our country and it was banned from PTV after the sixth show for reasons best known to the authorities. Still, that didn’t dampen my spirits. I came up with Studio Ponay Teen and Loose Talk that were very well received. I wrote a lot and almost all my programs were based on the same topic.
Is this humor for literary elites alone?
No way! Not at all. It’s for the man on the street, the man hanging on to the bus railing, newspaper hawkers, the man in the village … they are the ones who understand my humor. They are my main audience who must get to see what I want to say.
Why did you choose to become a satirical writer?
Everyone at home was involved in serious writings, so I decided to do something different. We inherited a lot from my maternal grandfather. There was a lot of encouragement at home.
When did you have your first exhibition and where does your humor go when you pick up a paintbrush?
I had my first one-man show in 1958 in Karachi. I love to paint birds and innocent girls, sitting in the windows and waiting for their loved ones. The current situation of my city Karachi is just like what I portray in my paintings. I never change and nor will my theme. That’s how I make my living.
What were your favorite shows and in which programs you didn’t like to work?
My favorite among my writings for TV is Shosha, but Aangan Terha was my best play that I wish will continue forever. Starting a satire is not that easy. I went through hell while doing such programs. There were few political programs that I really didn’t like to do.
What are the special moments of your life?
The golden moments of my life was 38 years’ friendship with Moin Akthar. I wrote almost everything for him, Moin was spectacular in his multifaceted performances, wearing many a garb, adopting many an accent and highlighting many an evil individual of society.
How do you feel when you visit Jeddah?
I like to visit Saudi Arabia. This time I came to attend the inauguration of my friend’s book. The Pakistani community here is very friendly, caring and loving. They get worried about Pakistan for a few hours. They are happy in their lives but as I live in Pakistan I am worried 24 hours. I am planning to write on Pak-Saudi relations at the same time. It is my wish to have my exhibition in Jeddah, so very soon Jeddah people will see my paintings.
Your message for Pakistan and its people?
There is only one message I want to give to the Pakistani nation and the Muslims of the world: Follow the right path, obey your Lord, pray to Him to make life easier.
Pak situation like a T20 match
