Raees Warsi
Encyclopedia
Raees Warsi is an Urdu
poet, writer and lyricist from Pakistan
. He has blended contemporary issues into classic rhyme. Where Urdu poetry
was confined to the issues of love, romance and its tragedies till the early 20th century, Warsi and some other notable contemporary poetry have expanded Urdu poetry to the demands of modern realism while still maintaining the classic rhyme. He currently resides in the United States.
, Pakistan. He came from a renowned family of poets and literary figures. His father, Sattar Warsi, is a household name in theological poetry, in the genre of Naat
. Both his brothers, Saeed Warsi and Rasheed Warsi, are Urdu poets and journalists. After his early childhood education in Karachi, Warsi successfully completed his Masters in Mass Communication
from the University of Karachi
in 1987. After earning accolades in Pakistan, he migrated to the United States, where he lives with his wife Tabassum Pervaiz.
recited in a national poetry session in Karachi in 1981. Warsi became a regular contributor to Mushaira
(traditional poetry gatherings). In published works, his first real breakthrough came when one of his poems was published in the literary magazine Afkaar in Karachi (September 1986). He then became a regular contributor to newspapers and literary magazines, including the most widely circulated Urdu-language newspaper, the Daily Jang
. Other newspapers and magazines which were adorned with his poetry and prose were the Daily Hurriyat, Daily Mashriq, Daily Nawa-i-Waqt
, the weekly Akhbar e Jahan
, weekly Akhbar e Khawateen
, the monthly Wirsa, monthly Idraak and numerous others. He was interviewed both in Pakistani and Indian newspapers and magazines as well as on radio and television for his literary contributions. He was listed as a prominent poet in the Directory of Pakistani Writers Published by the, Pakistan Academy of Letters (1991–1992 Edition), A-8 Pitrus Bukhari Road, Islamabad 44000.
In 1989, Warsi moved to the United States. He channelled his literary in establishing the Urdu Markaz New York (Urdu Language Center) in 1989. Under its auspices, biweekly sessions of reciting poetry and prose, lecture series and critical sessions were organized. In New York as well, Warsi has been a regular contributor of poetry and, and, and and Warsi has been the president of the society since its inception. The high point of the Urdu Language Center was organizing the First International Urdu Conference, was held at the UNO's headquarters, on 24 June 2000, under the auspices of the United Nations. This conference was attended by many living Urdu luminaries: poets, novelists, humorists and critics from across the globe. The conference was lauded by the UN Secretary General, the Vice President of the United States and the Presidents of Pakistan and India. The Asia Society
of New York printed his Urdu poetry with English translation, along with an introductory paragraph on his poetry and life, in its February 2003, June 2009 and April 2011 brochures and and and Voice of America
TV (The US government's official external radio and television broadcasting service) interviewed him, and made a special documentary titled Future of Urdu Language in the United States of America, on the occasion of the inauguration ceremony of his book (the first collection of his poetry), in Virginia
, May 2006. He named it Aaina Hoon Main (I Am the Mirror). The book has introductory remarks from Gopi Chand Narang
(President Sahitya Akademi
/ National Academy of Letters India, 2003–2007) Farman Fatehpuri
(Former President of the Urdu Dictionary Board), Iftikhar Arif
(President Muqtadra Quami Zaban / Former President Pakistan Academy of Letters
), Ahmed Faraz
(Former President National Book Foundation of Pakistan), Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi ( Editor Funoon
Magazine & Active member of Progressive Writers Movement ), Zameer Jaffary and Jameel Jalibi
( Former Vice Chancellor of University of Karachi
), Dr. Saeed Warsi and Humaira Rahman.
Warsi is currently working on his second poetry collection. In the meantime, he continues to promote Urdu poetry and prose.
( Pakistan Television Corporation / State-run broadcaster ) on different occasions.
He Anchored the broadcast news and co-produced Urdu-language television programs in New York and New Jersey since 1995.
, his poetry was well received in India as well. He was invited to write songs for the Bollywood
Movie Hum Tum Aur Mom, released in 2005, and directed and produced by Ashok Nanda. His songs for this movie were performed by famous Bollywood singers Udit Narayan
and Sadhna Sargam and. In September 2002, an Album of Warsi’s Ghazal
s titled Beetay Lamhay was released (by Naeem Hashmi of Pak-US Music Lovers, Producer Khalid Abbas Dar
, Music Director Aslam Meenu, Production Director Furqan Haider), sung by leading Pakistani classical singers Ustad Zakir Ali Khan, and, Asad Amanat Ali Khan
. Pervaiz Mehdi, Hamid Ali Khan
, Asif Ali, Rifaqat Ali Khan, Shamsa Kanwal, Iqbal Qasim, Feroz Akhtar, Rashid Khan, Sabir Ali and Zafar Iqbal among others. Another CD album of Warsi's Naatia (Naat
) and Hamdia (Hamd
) Kalam / poetry titled Madinee Chaloo was released in February, 2010 by Humza Studio (New York), sung by Pakistani film singer and Naat Khawan
Farooq Shad. On Kashmir
Day ( 5 February 2011 ), his new song titled "Tarana-e-Kashmir" was telecasted on PTV Global
( State-run broadcast of Pakistan), sung by Zaffar Iqbal, Music Director Nasir Hussain (Lahore). A CD Album "Dil Ki Awaz" Vol:06 (Tribute to Poets of New Era Including Ahmed Faraz, Saleem Kousar, Wasi Shah, Raees Warsi, Abbas Tabish, Khalid Moin and others) by Zafar Iqbal, Was released in July 2011.
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
poet, writer and lyricist from Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. He has blended contemporary issues into classic rhyme. Where Urdu poetry
Urdu poetry
Urdu poetry is a rich tradition of poetry and has many different types and forms. Borrowing much from the Persian language, it is today an important part of Pakistani and North Indian culture....
was confined to the issues of love, romance and its tragedies till the early 20th century, Warsi and some other notable contemporary poetry have expanded Urdu poetry to the demands of modern realism while still maintaining the classic rhyme. He currently resides in the United States.
Family and childhood
Warsi was born on 1 March 1963 in KarachiKarachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
, Pakistan. He came from a renowned family of poets and literary figures. His father, Sattar Warsi, is a household name in theological poetry, in the genre of Naat
Naat
A Na`at is a poetry that specifically praises the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Many of the famous scholars in the earlier days of Islam wrote Naat. People who recite Naat are known as Naat-Khua'an or Sana'a-Khua'an.-History:...
. Both his brothers, Saeed Warsi and Rasheed Warsi, are Urdu poets and journalists. After his early childhood education in Karachi, Warsi successfully completed his Masters in Mass Communication
Mass communication
Mass communication is the term used to describe the academic study of the various means by which individuals and entities relay information through mass media to large segments of the population at the same time...
from the University of Karachi
University of Karachi
The University of Karachi is a public university located in Karachi, Pakistan. It serves an on-campus student population of more than 24,000. According to the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, it is ranked among the top three universities of the country...
in 1987. After earning accolades in Pakistan, he migrated to the United States, where he lives with his wife Tabassum Pervaiz.
Poetry
Warsi started composing poetry at an early age. Warsi gained national attention courtesy his popular GhazalGhazal
The ghazal is a poetic form consisting of rhyming couplets and a refrain, with each line sharing the same meter. A ghazal may be understood as a poetic expression of both the pain of loss or separation and the beauty of love in spite of that pain. The form is ancient, originating in 6th century...
recited in a national poetry session in Karachi in 1981. Warsi became a regular contributor to Mushaira
Mushaira
Mushaira is a poetic symposium. Its a term in Urdu used to describe an event where poets gather to perform their works. A mushaira is a beloved part of the culture of Pakistan and North India, and it is greatly admired by participants as a forum for free self-expression.-Forms:A mushaira can take...
(traditional poetry gatherings). In published works, his first real breakthrough came when one of his poems was published in the literary magazine Afkaar in Karachi (September 1986). He then became a regular contributor to newspapers and literary magazines, including the most widely circulated Urdu-language newspaper, the Daily Jang
Daily Jang
The Daily Jang is an Urdu newspaper based in Pakistan. It is the oldest newspaper of Pakistan in continuous publication since its foundation in 1939. Its current Group Chief Executive & Editor-in-Chief is Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman....
. Other newspapers and magazines which were adorned with his poetry and prose were the Daily Hurriyat, Daily Mashriq, Daily Nawa-i-Waqt
Nawa-i-Waqt
Nawa-i-Waqt is an Urdu daily newspaper in Pakistan. Nawa-i-Waqt started its publishing on March 23, 1940 under the leadership of Hameed Nizami. The tradition is continued by his brother Majid Nizami. Nawa-i-Waqt is one of the largest circulating newspapers in the country...
, the weekly Akhbar e Jahan
Akhbar e Jahan
Akhbar e Jehan is a weekly Urdu language news and entertainment magazine published from Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan, owned by Jang Group of Newspapers.It is the largest group of newspapers in Pakistan....
, weekly Akhbar e Khawateen
Akhbar e Khawateen
Akhbar e Khawateen is a weekly news magazine published from Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan....
, the monthly Wirsa, monthly Idraak and numerous others. He was interviewed both in Pakistani and Indian newspapers and magazines as well as on radio and television for his literary contributions. He was listed as a prominent poet in the Directory of Pakistani Writers Published by the, Pakistan Academy of Letters (1991–1992 Edition), A-8 Pitrus Bukhari Road, Islamabad 44000.
In 1989, Warsi moved to the United States. He channelled his literary in establishing the Urdu Markaz New York (Urdu Language Center) in 1989. Under its auspices, biweekly sessions of reciting poetry and prose, lecture series and critical sessions were organized. In New York as well, Warsi has been a regular contributor of poetry and, and, and and Warsi has been the president of the society since its inception. The high point of the Urdu Language Center was organizing the First International Urdu Conference, was held at the UNO's headquarters, on 24 June 2000, under the auspices of the United Nations. This conference was attended by many living Urdu luminaries: poets, novelists, humorists and critics from across the globe. The conference was lauded by the UN Secretary General, the Vice President of the United States and the Presidents of Pakistan and India. The Asia Society
Asia Society
The Asia Society is a non-profit organization that focuses on educating the world about Asia. It has several centers in the United States and around the world Hong Kong, Manila, Mumbai, Seoul, Shanghai, and Melbourne...
of New York printed his Urdu poetry with English translation, along with an introductory paragraph on his poetry and life, in its February 2003, June 2009 and April 2011 brochures and and and Voice of America
Voice of America
Voice of America is the official external broadcast institution of the United States federal government. It is one of five civilian U.S. international broadcasters working under the umbrella of the Broadcasting Board of Governors . VOA provides a wide range of programming for broadcast on radio...
TV (The US government's official external radio and television broadcasting service) interviewed him, and made a special documentary titled Future of Urdu Language in the United States of America, on the occasion of the inauguration ceremony of his book (the first collection of his poetry), in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, May 2006. He named it Aaina Hoon Main (I Am the Mirror). The book has introductory remarks from Gopi Chand Narang
Gopi Chand Narang
Gopi Chand Narang is an Indian scholar of Urdu language and literature, an eminent Urdu writer, scholar, critic and linguist. He is author of many books in Urdu, Hindi and English....
(President Sahitya Akademi
Sahitya Akademi
The Sahitya Akademi ', India's National Academy of Letters, is an organisation dedicated to the promotion of literature in the languages of India...
/ National Academy of Letters India, 2003–2007) Farman Fatehpuri
Farman Fatehpuri
Syed Dildar Ali commonly known as Prof. Dr. Farman Fatehpuri, SI, is the eminent Urdu linguist, researcher, writer, critic and scholar of Pakistan. He is widely regarded as the supreme living authority on life and work of Ghalib - the greatest ever Urdu poet...
(Former President of the Urdu Dictionary Board), Iftikhar Arif
Iftikhar Arif
Iftikhar Hussain Arif, PP, SI, HI commonly known as Iftikhar Arif is an Urdu poet, scholar and littérateur from Pakistan. His style is romantic Urdu poetry. He has headed Academy Adbiyat, the Pakistan Academy of Letters and currently, he is the Chairman of Muqtadra Quami Zaban, the National...
(President Muqtadra Quami Zaban / Former President Pakistan Academy of Letters
Pakistan Academy of Letters
The Pakistan Academy of Letters is a learned society of literary, Arts, and humanities. It is the largest learned society of it own kind, and promotes literacy and literature based conferences throughout the country...
), Ahmed Faraz
Ahmed Faraz
Ahmad Faraz born Syed Ahmad Shah on January 14, 1931, in Kohat, was a Pakistani Urdu poet. He was considered one of the greatest modern Urdu poets of the last century. Faraz is his pseudonym 'takhalus'...
(Former President National Book Foundation of Pakistan), Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi ( Editor Funoon
Funoon
Funoon is the landmark Urdu journal published by Ahmad Nadeem Qasimi from Lahore, Pakistan since 1963. In past four decades, Funoon has proved to be one of the most respected literary magazines in the history of Urdu language....
Magazine & Active member of Progressive Writers Movement ), Zameer Jaffary and Jameel Jalibi
Jameel Jalibi
Muhammad Jameel Khan commonly known as Prof. Dr. Jameel Jalibi Ph.D., D.Litt, SI, HI, is a noted linguist, critic, writer, researcher, educationist and scholar of Urdu literature and linguistics from Pakistan...
( Former Vice Chancellor of University of Karachi
University of Karachi
The University of Karachi is a public university located in Karachi, Pakistan. It serves an on-campus student population of more than 24,000. According to the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, it is ranked among the top three universities of the country...
), Dr. Saeed Warsi and Humaira Rahman.
Warsi is currently working on his second poetry collection. In the meantime, he continues to promote Urdu poetry and prose.
Television & radio
Raees Warsi participated in several radio programs on Radio Pakistan ( Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation ) Karachi station from 1979–1984, produced by senior producers Zameer Ali and Shehnaz Saleem. His lyrics was telecasted on PTVPakistan Television Corporation
The Pakistan Television Corporation is Pakistan's national television broadcaster. The first live transmission of PTV began on November 26, 1964, in Lahore...
( Pakistan Television Corporation / State-run broadcaster ) on different occasions.
He Anchored the broadcast news and co-produced Urdu-language television programs in New York and New Jersey since 1995.
- ITV (International Television New York) Channel 77, Newscaster “Jeevay Pakistan” 1995 to 1997
- ETN (Eastern Television Network New York / New Jersey), Co-producer, 2000 to 2003
- PTN (Pakistan Television Network), Newscaster / Host/ Anchor of “Today’s Guest” on Channel 509, March 2003 to July 2006
Filmography / lyrics
Although Warsi was born and raised in PakistanPakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, his poetry was well received in India as well. He was invited to write songs for the Bollywood
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
Movie Hum Tum Aur Mom, released in 2005, and directed and produced by Ashok Nanda. His songs for this movie were performed by famous Bollywood singers Udit Narayan
Udit Narayan
-Career:King of melody, Udit Narayan Jha was born on 1 December, 1955 in a village called Bhardaha in the Saptari district , Nepal. His father was Hare Krishna Jha and his mother was Bhuwaneshwari Devi.Narayan studied at P.B...
and Sadhna Sargam and. In September 2002, an Album of Warsi’s Ghazal
Ghazal
The ghazal is a poetic form consisting of rhyming couplets and a refrain, with each line sharing the same meter. A ghazal may be understood as a poetic expression of both the pain of loss or separation and the beauty of love in spite of that pain. The form is ancient, originating in 6th century...
s titled Beetay Lamhay was released (by Naeem Hashmi of Pak-US Music Lovers, Producer Khalid Abbas Dar
Khalid Abbas Dar
Khalid Abbas Dar, Sitara-e-Imtiaz, Pride of Performance is a cultural icon, as well as a versatile actor, entertainer, mimic, one-man show, filmstar, host, playwright, director & theatre producer...
, Music Director Aslam Meenu, Production Director Furqan Haider), sung by leading Pakistani classical singers Ustad Zakir Ali Khan, and, Asad Amanat Ali Khan
Asad Amanat Ali Khan
Asad Amanat Ali Khan was a popular classical, semi-classical and ghazal singer from Pakistan. Hailing from famous Patiala Gharana, Asad was son of famous musician Ustad Amanat Ali Khan. Asad Amanat Ali Khan died relatively young of heart attack on April 8, 2007 in London.-Early life and...
. Pervaiz Mehdi, Hamid Ali Khan
Hamid Ali Khan
Hamid Ali Khan is a Pakistani classical singer. He belongs to the legendary Patiala gharana. He is considered to be one of the Last Great Patiala Legends. He represents an era of "Pure" Music. He is one of the most sought after classical singers in [Pakistan]. Ustad Hamid Ali Khan was born in 1953...
, Asif Ali, Rifaqat Ali Khan, Shamsa Kanwal, Iqbal Qasim, Feroz Akhtar, Rashid Khan, Sabir Ali and Zafar Iqbal among others. Another CD album of Warsi's Naatia (Naat
Naat
A Na`at is a poetry that specifically praises the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Many of the famous scholars in the earlier days of Islam wrote Naat. People who recite Naat are known as Naat-Khua'an or Sana'a-Khua'an.-History:...
) and Hamdia (Hamd
Hamd
A Hamd is a poem or song in praise of Allah. A hamd is usually written in Arabic, Persian, Punjabi, or Urdu. The word "hamd" comes from the Qur'an, which Muslims believe to be Allah's Word; its English translation is "Praise"....
) Kalam / poetry titled Madinee Chaloo was released in February, 2010 by Humza Studio (New York), sung by Pakistani film singer and Naat Khawan
Naat Khawan
Naat Khawan is a anyone person who recite the Naat. He recited the poetry or praised specially for the Islamic Prophet Muhammad....
Farooq Shad. On Kashmir
Kashmir
Kashmir is the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. Until the mid-19th century, the term Kashmir geographically denoted only the valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal mountain range...
Day ( 5 February 2011 ), his new song titled "Tarana-e-Kashmir" was telecasted on PTV Global
PTV Global
PTV Global is a TV channel broadcast by Pakistan Television Corporation andalso offered in Europe and United States. Its broadcasts select programming from PTV National, PTV News and other PTV-run networks...
( State-run broadcast of Pakistan), sung by Zaffar Iqbal, Music Director Nasir Hussain (Lahore). A CD Album "Dil Ki Awaz" Vol:06 (Tribute to Poets of New Era Including Ahmed Faraz, Saleem Kousar, Wasi Shah, Raees Warsi, Abbas Tabish, Khalid Moin and others) by Zafar Iqbal, Was released in July 2011.
Awards
- Certificate Of Recognition for Community and Poetry Services, from the Administration Of Hempstead Town, Nassau County, New York State, USA. Presented by Kate Murray (Head of The Local Government), on 24 Sept. 2011
- Services for Urdu language Award, From Zafar Zaidi Society, New York, November 2008
- Best Book of the year 2005/Award, From Funrama Entertainment Inc, Dallas, July 2006
- Community Services Award, Presented by Weekly Pakistan News, New York, August 2002
- Literary and Community Services Award, From Pakistan Television, New York, June 2000
- Urdu Services Appreciation Award, From Weekly Awam May 2000
- Community Services Award, From Pak Asia Magazine, New York, July 1999
- Literary Services Award, Presented by Karachi University Alumni of USA, June 1998
- Golden Jubilee Award for literary services, From Eastern Communication Network, Washington DC, April 1997