Musharraf Ali Farooqi

Writers, artists live in anxiety in Pakistan: Farooqi

With political instability and extremism rising in Pakistan, noted Pakistani writer Musharraf Ali Farooqi feels artists and writers in his country live in anxiety and sometimes find it difficult to pen their thoughts. "It is difficult, it is not so easy. In such a volatile atmosphere sometimes it is difficult to pen our thoughts. There is some kind of anxiety," Farooqi, who was here to participate in the Kolkata Book...  

Jeet Thayil's 'Narcopolis' in Man Asian shortlist

Indian author Jeet Thayil's debut novel Narcopolis featured among five novels showcasing the diversity and depth of writing from Istanbul to Tokyo as the shortlist for the 2012 Man Asian Literary Prize was revealed, listing distinctive and celebrated writers for the first time in a region-wide context. ...  

Extract: Between Clay and Dust by Musharraf Ali Farooqi

While the world continues to raise a toast to contemporary Pakistani authors, the latest author to enter the literary marathon is a genius of sorts who translates Urdu tomes and works on his own tales of fiction with equal ease. Here is an extract from his latest book 'Between Clay and Dust'. In an old ruined city, emptied of most of its inhabitants, Ustad Ramzi, a famous wrestler past his...  

Between Clay and Dust: Of rectitude and penance

New Delhi: Pakistani author Musharraf Ali Farooqi's latest novel Between Clay and Dust opens inside the grimy walls of an akhara which clan leader and head pahalwan Ustad Ramzi protects with fierce pride. In another part of the unnamed city's shaded alleyways is the 'kotha' of courtesan Gohar Jan renowned for her art and courted by the rich and famous. The destiny of the two artistes lies intertwined with each...  

Farooqi: Authors are busy writing 'clever' novels

New Delhi: How do you start a serious discussion on contemporary literature with a Pakistani author who taught Argentine tango to Canadians in Toronto, flipped pizzas and worked at an assembly line to make a living while translating Urdu fantasy fiction to English in his spare time? You don't. You let him regale you with hilarious anecdotes from his tango teaching days as he tries to make light of his...  

Pak author Farooqi strikes the 'write' chord

Islamabad: While the world continues to raise a toast to contemporary Pakistani authors, the latest author to enter the literary marathon is a genius of sorts who translates Urdu tomes and works on his own tales of fiction with equal ease. Musharraf Ali Farooqi caught everyone's attention with translations of Urdu classics "The Adventures of Amir Hamza" and the first book of a projected 24-volume magical fantasy epic, "Hoshruba". His...