Prof Javed Mughal
Sheikh Sajjad Hussain Poonchi, name holding a great niche in the world of Urdu literature, a figure who claims all acclamation as a social reformer and a unique soul that ever pulsated for the upcoming generation, was born on Dec. 10, 1946 at Poonch. His name and fame will not be confined to his own times but will be preserved in the golden letters of our future history of the State and indelibly stamped on the portals of the universe. He always provided a significant shade of patronage to the young writers and artists. The vernal bloom of his persistent devotion to the society and the young talent since the very outset of his career deserves all appreciation of the unbiased minds. He remained secretary of Hindustani/ English dramatic club, Editor of the College Magazine, President of the College Student Union, Convener of the College Cultural Committee and many times was declared the best speaker and the best writer and was awarded several times to this effect. In 1969, he participated in National Level Debating Competition and was awarded the President medal in Delhi. During College times he was awarded as the best actor/ dramatist also for displaying his outstanding performance on the state level drama competition.
Sheikh Sajjad bagged the credit of writing, directing and staging the plays like ‘Mumta’ and ‘Sarhad ke us Par’, which won an abundant publicity during those days and even now these plays are classed with the renowned artistic creations of the country. His plays and other writings hold a mirror to the day to day problems of life and society. It will not be out of place to call his writings ‘The Society Masterpieces’. When we talk of Sheikh Sajjad Hussain as an action-player, he proves equally matchless and an inspiration for his young age. He remained an active and widely praiseworthy actor of a Dramatic Club’ formed by Bhai Jai dev Dutt who is said to have pioneered the drama staging in Poonch and whose name is still remembered with great honour. Sheikh Sajjad’s role of ‘Maharaja Janak’, Malwan (as a Mantri of Ravan) are still referred to as the best roles ever played in the history of plays staged and directed in the state. In 1974, he fell in association with the famous Novelist of India, Krishan Chander and got influenced in the field of writings. The matter of great pride was that the world-famous Novelist and Short Story writer mentioned Sheikh Sajjad’s name in one of his Novels ‘Pooray Safar Ki Adhi Kahani’. This way Krishan Chander immortalized the being of Sheikh Sajjad Hussain. During mid seventies he also happened to receive the far-reaching impacts of the artistic Dons of India like Mohinder Nath and Salma Siddiqui and also arranged their inter-active sessions with talented youths of Poonch. In late seventies, when he was in Aligarh Muslim University in connection with his higher studies, he won a lot acclamation for the display of his literary, cultural and artistic acumen and during the very years of his stay, he remained in close touch with the legendary Script-writer of Film Industry, Rahi Masoom Raza.
Having completed his studies and come back to Poonch, it was decided by the Government of the state to saddle him with the mega responsibility of uplifting the down-trodden Gujjar and Bakerwals Communities. He emerged as the socio-cultural messiah of this long-suffering segment of our society who was purposelessly grappling with their fate especially in our state. Sheikh Sajjad was accommodated as Warden Gujjar Hostels at different spells of time where he was provided with a plate-form to work for the emancipation of this community from the mire of socio-educational backwardness. He worked not only for the proliferation of Pahari Culture and languages but also for the progress and manuring of the cultures of Gujjars and Bakerwals in Jammu and Kashmir. He conducted, relayed and released as many as 300 Gojri and Pahari cassettes and programmes for the promotion of these twin-cultures of the state. ‘Shingara’ (Ornamentation), Dhokan’ the Far-off countryside’s pastures), and Sucha Bol’ (the pure speeches) are some of his famous audio-video albums widely listened and watched by the lovers of Pahari and Gojri folk music. His plays in Pahari and Gojri like ‘Buda Gho Bayah (marriage of the old man),’ Zammen Gho Maliyo’ (the land tax) and ‘Majboori’ are some of the classical dramatic compositions of Sheikh Sajjad Hussain that have a plethora of commendations of the great stalwarts of art and literature. Apart from it, more than 80 composite songs (sung and released) are to his credit. ‘Amman ni Gaddi, (the vehicle of peace), Saif-ul-Malooq by Mian Mohd Bakhsh, ( folk poetry) Gujjian Ramza (the paradoxical hints) by Baba Ji Sahib were revived and immortalized by him after a long spell of almost being be forgotten. He not only contributed to the new genres of literature himself but also did a commendable job of discovering, refreshing and presenting folk literature of the by-gone days.
As a poet, Sheikh Sajjad has a no less than a distinguished place among the noted poets of this country. Recently an urdu anthology of poems, ‘ Faseelein Bolti hein’, a kind of socio-psychological document speaking the language a particular set of masses in the society that has ever been subjected to the tortures socially, Politically or ethically, has been released. Another book, a collection of poems, ‘Samundar Aashna’ is in its offing and very shortly will be in the philomathic hands of the readers. His contribution to the world of journalism is laudable too. His writings frequently figure in the daily newspapers and magazines in and outside the state. He has, many times, been invited to the Film Industry by Sagar Sarhadi, the writer of ‘Kabhi Kabhi’, ‘Chandni’, ‘Silsilay’, ‘Bazaar’ for Yash Raj Films, but due to the circumstantial compulsions, Sheikh Sajjad could not avail him of this golden opportunity. Some of his books are under publication at the moment and are likely to come out very soon. Such souls are the blessings for the society and torch bearer for the coming generations too.
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