Pashto Focus

[Toramana]

Sputnik News Agency Goes Live in Pashto



© Sputnik/ Alexey Filippov

PRESS INFO

12:30 10.04.2015

Sputnik Multimedia Group launched its Pashto-language website on Friday.
MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The pashto.sputniknews.com news website features a wide range of perspectives on key international events. The site also provides access to an online radio station in Pashto.


Sputnik reflects the different views of our multipolar world, presenting audiences with a variety of alternative opinions. The new website will provide the world's Pashto-speaking community with diverse perspectives on leading international topics of the day.

The Pashto-language website joins the family of Sputnik news portals already operating in English, French, Serbian, Portuguese, Arabic, Hindi, Polish, Italian, Czech, Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean, Farsi, Urdu, Dari, German, Spanish, Chinese, Turkish, Kyrgyz and Abkhaz.

The Pashto language portal pashto.sputniknews.com will be updated 24/7 with new and high-quality content by a team of experienced journalists. The website delivers diverse content, including infographics, video, photo galleries, live streaming, and online polls. In addition to up-to-the-minute news, Sputnik offers analytics, exclusive interviews, and expert opinions.

Sputnik Multimedia Group is a new brand of news agency and radio network with news hubs in dozens of countries. Sputnik broadcasts through its websites, analog and digital radio, mobile device apps and social media. For subscribers, Sputnik news wires operate around the clock in English, Arabic, Spanish and Chinese.



Read more:

http://sputniknews.com/agency_news/2...#ixzz3Wubc3m3i

Ah have listened to Pashto Radio Moscow so much. I am really feeling nostalgic. Thanks Sputnik.

[Bengal_Tiger]

Ah have listened to Pashto Radio Moscow so much. I am really feeling nostalgic. Thanks Sputnik.

Toramana...

par ruski?

[Toramana]

Toramana...

par ruski?

na Pekhawar kai.

[Bengal_Tiger]

Aha!

Afreen.

[Bengal_Tiger]

[Bengal_Tiger]

[Bengal_Tiger]

Young poet gets PhD

FROM THE NEWSPAPER — PUBLISHED APR 26, 2015 07:18AM



PESHAWAR: Young poet and writer Wazir Shadan has completed his PhD on “Contribution of Kohat to Pashto literature”. He defended his thesis successfully by answering the queries of experts at Pashto department, University of Peshawar, said a press release.

It said that Mr Shadan earned appreciation from literary circle by completing his PhD thesis in a short span of time under the supervision of Dr Farkhanda. Renowned writer Dr Iqbal Naseem Khattak was his external examiner.

Divided in five chapters, his research thesis is consisted of 443 pages. Mr Shadan is a known short story writer and poet at provincial level. Currently posted at Government College Kohat as lecturer, Mr Shadan belong to Lakki Ghonkai area of district Karak.

He was appointed lecturer in 1992 after qualifying the examination of Public Service Commission. He got gold medal from the Pashto department of University of Peshawar in MA examination.

Mr Shadan was the secretary general of Lawaghar Adabi Karwan, a literary organisation, for long time. He arranged memorable poetry sessions wherein writers and poets from the entire participated.

Mr Sadan also launched “Sasalay”, a literary and research journal. He compiled two books on the art and personalities of Prof Preshan Khattak and Said Hassan Ustad, tow literary figures of the district.

The release said that Pashto as a compulsory subject was included in BS and MS programmes by Kohat University on the suggestion of Mr Shadan.

http://www.dawn.com/news/1178286/young-poet-gets-phd

- Kohat home of Pashto poets like Saifoor Afridi.

[Bengal_Tiger]

Art of survival: Timeless fable in a digital space

By Hidayat KhanPublished: April 21, 2015



Screengrabs taken from the movie. PHOTOS COURTESY: PIR HAMID KHESHGI

PESHAWAR:

Bringing Pashto folklore to life in the digital age has become more a matter of animatics and storyboarding than traditional forms of storytelling.

Pir Hamid Kheshgi, a visual artist from Nowshera, has produced a 2D animated movie based on the famous Pashto tale of Yousaf Khan and Sherbano.




“The movie highlights this folk tale,” says the 33-year-old artist who is a graduate of National College of Arts in Lahore and currently lectures at the College of Fashion Design in the provincial capital. “I hope to draw the attention of children to the story and ensure that it lives on in their hearts and minds.”

Spoiler alert

The folktale has been told to children since time immemorial and has become an ingrained feature of Pukhtun culture.

It is set during the reign of Mughal emperor Akbar and tells the story of a man named Yousaf Khan, a resident of Torlanday village in Swabi.




Yousaf frequently goes hunting at a local forest. On his way, he stops at the house of a girl named Sherbano. Over time, Sherbano and Yousaf fall in love. However, their love falls prey to the evil machination of his cousins who wanted to usurp his wealth.

In a dramatic twist, Yousaf is eventually killed by his scheming relatives while Sherbano dies of a broken heart. In the early twentieth century, Ali Haider Joshi, a Pashto poet, immortalised this story in a poem titled Yousaf Khan Sherbano. He also wrote the script for a film based on this “timeless” love story.

Living traditions

In these modern times, folklore and mythology rarely feature in public discourse and have been brushed under the carpet. There was a time when folk singers from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa would keep these stories alive through their mellifluous voices. However, priorities appear to have changed. A large number of singers have moved away and little is being done to preserve cultural inheritance.

According to Kheshgi, such folk stories are living traditions which have been told across many generations. His animated movie has however made these all the more accessible.



“I felt these folktales would lose their importance in the modern era of communication,” he says. “By preserving them, we will not only be preserving our heritage but will gain useful insights about the times in which these stories were set.”

Kheshgi says these stories are not part of school curricula and movie and TV producers have not tried to bring them into the limelight. “Many people find these stories to be outdated,” he explains. “But they must realise these stories are a valuable source of information about the past. If children are made to watch cartoons based on their own culture, they would gain more awareness about their own roots.”

Storyboards

Kheshgi’s application of 2D animations has been widely used by other visual artists in the province as well. Abdul Rahman, creator of the first Pashto animated film Jalaat Khan and Mehbooba, had used a similar technique.

Nevertheless, Kheshgi recalls the process of making the animated movie to be particularly slow and cumbersome. ”During the first six months, I spent my time doing research so I would be able to recreate the times in an accurate manner.” After this tedious process, Kheshgi began working on pencil sketches.



“We drew a hundred sketches for a single movement,” he says. “Sketches were drawn and were later scanned using different software – a process which took another six months.” During the year in which he worked on the film, Kheshgi went the extra mile to portray the subtle nuances of Pukhtun culture. “The films use digital media to present our rich cultural heritage more acurately,” he adds.

http://tribune.com.pk/story/873175/art-of-survival-timeless-fable-in-a-digital-space/

[MENTION=1020]Feroz Afridi[/MENTION] [MENTION=1028]Yousafzai Pakhtun[/MENTION] [MENTION=1068]gadoonwal[/MENTION]

[Bengal_Tiger]

Poetic tribute: Rahman Baba, Hafez remembered

By Our CorrespondentPublished: May 21, 2015



PESHAWAR: Poetry enthusiasts gathered at the Pashto Cultural Museum at the University of Peshawar on Thursday to pay homage to Pashto poet Rahman Baba and Persian wordsmith Hafez Shirazi.

The seminar was put together by the Pashto Academy in collaboration with Khana-e-Farhang Iran.



Scholars drew parallels between the two literary giants of the region and highlighted their influence on Pukhtun society.

“Both Rahman Baba and Hafez sought inspiration from Sufism,” said Wazir Shadan, a local scholar. He maintained that spiritualism is a common theme in Rahman’s works.



Shadan said both poets were influenced by the events of their times and used the written word to convey their viewpoint.

“Rahman seldom criticised the rulers,” he added. “He focused more on devotion and morality.”

The scholar said Hafez had influenced and inspired a large number of poets who came after him.

The flip side

Abdul Rahman Kakar, a Pashto scholar from Quetta, had a slightly different view on the works of both poets. He said Rahman had his own style and it is hard to trace Hafez’s influence in the former’s writing. “It was only Rahman who gave Pashto a new lease on life,” he maintained.

According to Kakar, Pukhtun rulers conquered vast territories but did not pay attention to conserving their culture and language.

Poetry recitals

Poetry recitals were also held on the occasion which attracted considerable praise and applause.

Academy director Nasrullah Wazir said very little is known about the life and times of Hafez.

“However, his 500 ghazals and 40 rubaiyaat (quatrain) speak volumes about the great Sufi’s ideas,” Nasrullah said. “I strongly urge the government and varsity administration to help the academy conserve and promote Pashto culture.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22nd, 2015.

http://tribune.com.pk/story/890246/poetic-tribute-rahman-baba-hafez-remembered/

[Bengal_Tiger]

Govt asked to recognise literary services of nationalist poet

BUREAU REPORT — PUBLISHED 2 days ago



ANP leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain addressing a seminar in Peshawar on Thursday. — Dawn


PESHAWAR: Speakers at a seminar called upon Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to recognise the literary services of the late nationalist Pashto poet Andesh Shamsul Qamar.

The seminar was organised by Pohantoon Adabi Stori (PAS) at the auditorium of Pashtun Cultural Museum (PCM), University of Peshawar here on Thursday.

Speaking as a chief guest, ANP leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain said that Andesh was the voice of downtrodden segment of the society. He always advocated peace, social justice, unity of Pakhtuns and cultural identity in his inspiring poetry, he added.

“I join my voice with Pakhtun literati and call upon provincial government to duly recognise selfless literary services of late Andesh Shamsul Qamar, who truly versified pains and sufferings of his people,” said Mr Hussain. He added that his party had great regard for poetry, art and music.

Poets and writers from Malakand, Dir, Swat, Swabi, Mardan, Nowshera, Charasadda, Bannu and Khyber Agency attended the seminar.

The speakers highlighted various aspects of the late nationalist poet, who introduced new literary trends and terminologies in Pashto literature. They said that Andesh changed the direction of traditional Pashto ghazal and enriched it with a new progressive vision.

Prof Abaseen Yousafzai , chief of Pohantoon Adabi Stori, in his remarks pointed out that Andesh Baba was a true spirit of the time who impacted almost three generations of poets. He said that the late poet was a staunch follower of Bacha Khan as he had never comprised on his political stance and non-violence philosophy of Khudai Khidmatgaar Tehreek.

Young poet Ayaz Abshaar told the participants that Andesh Baba always encouraged young poets and writers and inspired them to highlight public issues with special emphasis on linguistic and cultural identity.

Senior poet Dr Israr said that Andesh had a sublime vision to reform his people through his lofty poetic thoughts. He said that Andesh was a multifaceted poet and was conscious of Pakhtun cultural identity.

Dr Rajwali Shah Khattak, Dr Sher Zaman Seemab, Prof Farmanuddin Bakhshali, Samina Qadir, Said Wali Khial, Saadullah Jan Barq , Dr Nasarullah Wazir, Dr Abdul Waheed Khan, and Prof Aseer Mangal also addressed the seminar.

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2015

http://www.dawn.com/news/1186293

[Bengal_Tiger]

Pashto Focus thread has now been re-activated due to rude and abusive Pakistani Pathan, Jankhan being absent from the site (hopefully he won't return, if he does I will stop updating the thread).

Literati’s role in boosting Pak-Afghan ties underlined

BUREAU REPORT — PUBLISHED A DAY AGO





A speaker addresses the seminar at the University of Peshawar on Friday.

PESHAWAR: Speakers at a literary seminar held at the Pashto Academy, University of Peshawar, said that literary gatherings and exchange of views would boost cultural, social and political relations between the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The daylong seminar on ‘comparative study of Khushhal Khan Khattak’s book on medicine’ and ‘creative imagery in Pashto poetry’ was held under the auspices of Pashto Academy at Maulana Abdul Qadir Hall here on Friday.

The speakers said that literary events would have positive impact on people across the Durand Line. They said that poets and writers should play due role in bringing peace in the restive region.

Prof Farkhanda, a senior teacher at the Pashto Academy, told the participants that the Afghan scholar-students would be facilitated in every possible way to conduct substantive research on various aspects of Pashto language and literature. She said that young scholars had great potential to influence their people and guide them towards achieving the goals of brotherhood, mutual respect and peace. She said that seminars would have a far-reaching impact on the Pak-Afghan relations in future.

According to officials, the academy had recently launched a series of literary seminars which had covered credit hours as part of doctorate thesis of students. Dr Nasarullah Jan Wazir, director of the Pashto Academy, told Dawn that currently around 15 Afghan students had been enrolled in the PhD programme.

Dr Javed Iqbal, senior research officer at the academy, said that conducting seminars proved a milestone in the field of literary research and critical evaluation. He said that it was the responsibility of the literati to promote literary and cultural values.

“The University of Peshawar, under a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the universities of Nangarhar and Kabul encourages research scholars to exchange their views on different topics. It covers three credit hours of the incumbent scholars and also imparts confidence and instills spirit of exquisiteness. Earlier, PhD scholars were supposed to sit a written test and submit a term paper,” Mr Wazir added.

Baitur Rehman Roodwal, an Afghan scholar, said that literary seminars and events could greatly help improve relations between the people of both the neighbouring countries. He said that exchange of views by literati could open up new avenues for the research students and could pave the way for permanent peace in the region. He said that Khushhal Khan Khattak wanted unification of Pakhtuns for struggle against the Mughal rulers.

Sadiq Zarrak, a Quetta-based scholar, said that Afghan scholars had positive views on Pak-Afghan political relations. He said that poets, writers and research scholars could help mend strained political ties between the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan. “Exchange of views on literary issues could also help us better understand each other, as people of both the countries had been facing same situation over the past several decades,” he said.

Abdul Ahad Mangal, another Afghan scholar from Kabul University, pointed out that Pakhtuns of both the countries wanted to have good working relations as it would further strengthen their century’s old literary and cultural ties. “We have never felt ourselves as strangers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially in Peshawar. We wish Islamabad and Kabul come closer to perpetuate everlasting peace and political stability in the region,” he said.

Abdul Jabbar, a scholar-student from Nangarhar University, delivered his paper on ‘importance of questionnaire in research’ and said that it should be prepared carefully keeping in view the ground realities and mental level of the participants. He said that research scholars were benefitting from each other’s scholarship, adding that it would have a positive impact on people-to-people contacts in different spheres of knowledge.

The seminar was attended by students, teachers and young research scholars.

http://www.dawn.com/news/1216592

[DaZahroJaam.]

[Bengal_Tiger]

Tuned in : For the love of music, he creates the perfect blend


By Hidayat Khan

Published: November 6, 2015




PESHAWAR: It is the sheer love for music that has kept Karan Khan going for many years and now the singer is poised to release his 14th album from Austria.

Sitting in his tiny room with Pashto literature books strewn all around the bed and on a plastic sheet on the floor, the singer is all smiles as he welcomes friends to his flat in Saddar Bazaar.

The door is open for fans and friends alike who climb up to the third storey to congratulate Karan on the new album.

Cheerful, funny and frank, he sits with visitors and plays the new songs of the album on his laptop, hoping to receive feedback from
his guests.



His cousin Irshad Khan, a student of music, offers green tea in transparent cups with Afghani flags on them. Originally from Swat, Karan narrates stories of yore when he was a disk jockey and talks about the circumstances surrounding the new album.

“This will be the first Pashto album that is only available online and not on CDs or cassettes,” says Karan. “In the current climate, CDs are not being bought by the public as the content is downloaded without any consideration for copyrights. It is better not to release CDs as they are now a burden on musicians who already have meager resources.”

About protecting his work from piracy, the singer reveals the album has been released by Lens Productions, an Austria-based company. He adds the copyrights have been registered in the country and now anyone trying to infringe them will be taken to court. Karan says this is one of the few times that such a procedure has been followed as most artists are unaware of their rights.

The new album, Kayyf, is a combination of western and typical Pashto music. “We have made it a combination of contemporary and traditional music. Young people are not in a position to take in pure traditional music,” he tells The Express Tribune. “So the beats are eastern, but the chords are western.” He says sometimes change is good to give music a global appeal.

However, there is no compromise on the quality of lyrics and legendary poetry has been used in the songs. They include the works of famous Pashto poets including Saaduallah Jan Burq, Sahib Shah Sabir and Shafiullah Babarzai.

Some of the songs are instant hits including Bacha Khani Pakar daI, a song that pays homage to Pukhtun leader Bacha Khan. The song talks of unity among Pukhtuns and preaches peace and tolerance. A romantic song, Makham, released on Wednesday, has been liked by 18,000 people on the official Facebook page. The traditional Pashto tappa, which is part of every album, has been heard by some 42,000 people.

He said Lens Production is the first Afghan music and video production studio in Vienna and helps singers record and promote their work. It has also arranged a number of musical activities for Pashto artists in an effort to support them. The studio was started by Storay Khan, an Afghanistan resident. According to Karan, the same production house is now working to make videos for each song. He says the love for Pashto music and culture is the main catalyst for the album.

“These days albums are not produced as musicians never benefit from them due to online piracy and the lack of sponsorships,” says Karan. “If anyone tries to breach my copyrights, he will be taken to court,” the singer adds

http://tribune.com.pk/story/986005/tuned-in-for-the-love-of-music-he-creates-the-perfect-blend/

[Bengal_Tiger]

New forum seeks to unify struggle to promote Pashto

By Our Correspondent
Published: November 11, 2015



All literary bodies to collaborate with International Pashto Jirga.

PESHAWAR: Senior writers and litterateurs have launched the International Pashto Jirga, a new literary forum to promote the region’s cultural and literary tradition.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony at Peshawar Press Club on Tuesday, Salim Raz, a seasoned writer and chairman of the jirga said the body will aim to bring unity among all Pashto writers.

There are currently three forums that are promoting Pashto literature –International Pashto Congress, International Pashto Convention and International Pashto Conference. However, all three organisations have operated separately. This has led people to believe there is no unity among Pukhtun writers. The new literary body will comprise leading members from all three forums and aim to promote Pashto literature on an international level.

“Over the last several decades, Pukhtuns have been through difficult times,” Raz said. “This has negatively impacted our culture, language and traditions. The aim to promote Pashto literature cannot be achieved through separate literary bodies.”

According to the writer, the other three literary forums will continue to exist and follow their own respective agendas.

“However, all literary bodies will collaborate with the International Pashto Jirga,” Raz said. He added Pashto writers, poets and artistes are facing countless financial difficulties and are in desperate need of assistance. According to the chairman, it is the government’s responsibility to support them during these difficult times.

In the pipeline

The event was attended by a large number of literary figures. Senior Vice Chairman Nominee Aseer Mangal, General Secretary Faridun Khan, Nasrullah Khan Wazir, Amjid Ali Khadim and Abasin Yousafzai were among the attendees. At the occasion, jirga members discussed plans to establish a Pukhtun Markaz in Peshawar to showcase Pukhtun literature. They also announced plans to organise a five-day international conference in April 2016.

Overhaul

Speaking on the occasion, Abasin Yousafzai, a poet and writer, said the government has already decided to include regional languages in the school curriculum. “However, so far, limited progress has been made to redesign the syllabus and have it approved. It hasn’t even released a teacher training manual for the start of the next session.”

http://tribune.com.pk/story/988967/new-forum-seeks-to-unify-struggle-to-promote-pashto/

[MENTION=1020]Feroz Afridi[/MENTION]
[MENTION=1028]Yousafzai Pakhtun[/MENTION]

[Bengal_Tiger]

Walk down memory lane : Musical show honours senior Pashto musicians, singers

By Our CorrespondentPublished: November 12, 2015




Singers and musicians participate at Pashto Music Festival on Tuesday.

PESHAWAR: Senior Pashto musicians and singers were brought to the stage at an event organised by Latoon Productions with the support of the Directorate of Culture Tuesday night. Many famous singers were also invited to participate.

Although many of the senior artists have given up on music, they arrived at the event to perform after decades to a packed hall of fans. Ahmad Gul Ustad, whose family has been associated with music for the last several generations, said, “Having learned from Ahmad Khan, who started out in 1960 and earned a lot of respect that is not available for him today, said you [Gul Ustad] have to earn your name in Pashto music.” Gul Ustad composed a number of classic songs, including Guloona Rawra da Bazaara.

Blast from the past

Gul Mina, another folk singer, earned a name in the field in performing Charbeta, Tapa and Badala genre of Pashto music. She was on stage after 10 years. As Pashto music has significantly changed, she found it difficult to perform in this new environment.



Gul Sanam, popular for his song Alama Sur Angar de da Khkulo Sara Meena, also took part in the musical show where he performed after 16 years of hibernation.

“If conditions in K-P improve, I would like to return to the music industry,” he added.

Many new singers also attended the musical event including Laila Khan, Shan Khan Yousafzai and Fawad Khan. However, they failed to catch the audience’s attention as people were more interested in listening to old-timers and their ever-green songs. Famous singer Mahjabeen Qazalbash was also at the event, however, Almas Khalil was the artist that much of the audience waited for till the end of the event.

Khalil is one of the senior most singers, who became very famous in the industry. He also stirred much controversy with his songs for movies. However, his popularity grew with each hit number, regardless of the court case on his song.

“Music is still in its early stages within K-P,” said Bakhtiar Khattak – a Pashto singer who also played a role in producing the show. Khattak said, “Today’s musicians have to learn from their senior artists on how to produce quality Pashto music.”

http://tribune.com.pk/story/989676/walk-down-memory-lane-musical-show-honours-senior-pashto-musicians-singers/