PLEASE SHARE
WITH ALL
A LIVING LEGEND'S GREAT CONTRIBUTION:
CANADA'S NATIONAL ANTHEM IN URDU
BY JAVED ZAHEER, FREE EXPRESSION AWARD WINNER
TORONTO:
A Canadian of Pakistani Origin has made
a great contribution by gifting to Canada and the people the Canadian national
anthem in Urdu language. This feat has not been achieved by any ordinary person
but a legend known as Sohail Rana, one of the best music directors the world
has produced.
In
order to pay tribute and respect to Sohail Rana, the legendary figure, heart
throb and an ideal of billions of music lovers in all parts of the world, for his
tremendous contributions, achievements and making the Pakistani community and
both the people and mothers---countries of Pakistan and Canada--- really proud,
the famous couple Shahid Hashmi, Chairman, Canpak Chamber of Commerce, and
Seema Hashmi organized an evening in his honour at their residence: 236
Findhorn Crescent, Vaughan, Ontario, on Friday, January 9, 2015.
It
was a special gathering of distinguished personalities, families and media---Over
sixty guests. The chief guests were Asghar Ali Golo, Consul General of Pakistan
in Toronto, and Rick Milne, Mayor of New Tecumseh. The distinguished speakers
were Dr Taqi Abedi and Syed Iftikhar Haider. These visionary figures threw light
on the personality, great achievements and tremendous contributions of the
legendary personality and termed it all as a treasure. They said that the
people must fully benefit from his vision, efforts and precious works.
Asghar
Ali Golo, Consul General, and Rick Milne, Mayor of New Tecumseh and an old
family friend of Shahid Hashmi, also spoke on the occasion as chief guests and
paid tribute to Sohail Rana. Shahid Hashmi presented the welcome address and
vote of thanks. After the speeches, cake cutting ceremony took place.
Sidra
Hashmi, the youngest daughter of Shahid Hashmi, gave a piano presentation on
the occasion. Sohail Rana was impressed and praised the presentation. He said:
“She is very talented.”
Praising
Shahid Hashmi’s friendship, sincere efforts and contribution, he said: “have
proved your worth and your place is in my heart.” As usual the great hospitality of Shahid
Hashmi and his family was worth seeing and mentioning. The guests fully enjoyed
the literary presentation and delicious food and made the evening memorable.
The
guests included Salma Zahid, Darakshan Siddiqui, Bashir Khan, Roshan Khayal, Nazimuddin Nazim, Nazimuddin
Maqbool, Syed Hashim Reza Taqvi, Hameeduddin Ahmed, Masood Haq, Tahir Hussain,
Hashim, Dr Bajwa, Pervez Salahuddin, Nadeem of Pakistan Times and Syed Muhammad Iqbal
(President of PSF)
Sohail
Rana in his marathon address of over an hour highly impressed and mesmerized the
audience with pearls of wisdom. There was pin drop silence in the hall. Such
was the attention and focus of people.
The
legendary Sohail Rana opened his mind and heart in his address to touch the
souls of the audience. The facts he
presented about himself, his struggle and achievements are not known by most
people who simply think that he a music director and a legend. The fact is he
is much more than that and has reached the stage where introduction, name, fame
and recognition do not matter to him anymore. He has reached the peak and
become an ideal and a lighthouse for millions. He is doing his job and his
struggle has not ended. He has dreams and the will and vision to turn them into
reality.
Sohail
Rana says his parents, particularly mother, played an important role in his
becoming a good human being, which guided and helped him to become a legend. He
thanks God for showering His blessings in the shape of such nice parents,
teachers, friends, colleagues and all those who by any ways helped, supported,
inspired, motivated and benefited him.
Not
only a music composer and director, Sohail Rana is a spiritual person as well.
For hours he can speak on God, good and spirituality and keep the audience
mesmerized. This spirituality touch is found immensely in his musical work as
well.
With
such pure qualities and intentions, he turned his attention on children to touch
their minds, hearts and souls to make them good human beings, persons and
citizen. This focus proved extremely successful and his efforts produced
remarkable results. Some of his students have become greats including Adnan
Sami, renowned singer and one of the world’s best piano players.
Sohail
Rana’s current pursuits and projects are as follows (See his website: http://www.sohailrana.com/ ) After emigrating to
Canada Sohail Rana established a music academy under his name, teaching and
grooming South Asians and foreigners our Eastern music (Vocal, Instrumental,
Light, Folk and Classical)..
2)
Composed Raag Mala: Highlighting the evolution of Sur, Taal, Lai, Thaats
featuring important Raagas and Raagnis.
3) Composed South Asian Anthem and
performed in May'2006.
4) Composed and produced Pak-Canada
friendship song performed in 1997 at a very special Pakistani exhibition in
Toronto, Canada, celebrating 50 years of Pakistan.
5)
Composed about 50 Ghazals that are now ready to be recorded.
6) Also composed about 15 Qawwalis
(Sufiana Kalaam) ready to be recorded.
7) Anarkali Ballet: Almost nearing
completion to be performed with a symphony orchestra and a Ballet company in
Canada.
8)
Multi-media Company: Mr. Rana is busy in setting up a multi-media / recording
company to also work in liaison with other recording companies of North America
and U.K.
It
is said that “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to
the imagination and life to everything”.
Not everyone has the skills to produce such feats. They may become a
star at the most but it needs the hunger and craze for music, great efforts,
patience and attention, command and mastery to use the skills brilliantly in
order to become a legend and only few legends are born in the world and
remembered for centuries.
It
is also said that music has a beautiful way of entering the mind, touching the
soul and opening the heart to make room for hope, love, care and all good
things. It acts as a spiritual healer and warmer of loving hearts. Music has
the qualities to give new life and strength to the soul and a little bit of
soul is worth more than gold.
What
is more important for any great or legend is not only to enter the mind, touch the soul and open the
heart but the most important fact is to make a place in the heart to live there
and earn true trust and confidence and love and respect of the people.
If
the great or legend shows attitude and becomes arrogant then he or she can
never make a place in the heart of people and earn true love and respect.
People will then only recognize and respect his skills, works and contributions
but will never be impressed by his personality. Here character plays a
charismatic role. Those trying to put people under the thumb are cut to size. To
every action there is equal and opposite reaction. It is the law of nature.
Canada
is fortunate to have Sohail Rana ---a legend of the highest order. The
government and people must benefit from the qualities, services and works of
this true legendary figure.
JZ’S PROFILE: Declared by Judges as one of 75 Finalist Best
Canadian Immigrants, an Honour for the Pakistani Community. Joined Journalism
Profession in 1974 (Daily `SUN’, Karachi) and still serving as a professional
journalist (2014). Javed Zaheer, Free Expression Award Winner (Awarded by
National Ethnic Press & Media Council of Canada—NEPMCC. Award presented by
Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, Canada), Desi Idol Recognition Award Winner
(Presented by North American Desi Idol), Member/Honorary Director of NEPMCC,
Veteran Active Member (VAM) of Toronto Press Club, Ex-Member of The National
Club and The Ontario Club, Honorary Editor of English Weekly `Pakistan Abroad’,
Canada, ex-Chief Editor (Honorary) of English Weekly `The Ambassador’, Canada,
ex-Chief Editor (Honorary) of English Weekly `DAWN', Canada, ex-Senior
Sub-Editor of English Daily DAWN, Pakistan (From 1986-1999), Chairman, CANOPI,
Director of Children Dignity Foundation (CDF---Canada & Pakistan) and
Honorary Director, Canpak, Chamber of Commerce, and Honorary Director
Information, Pak Seniors Forum (PSF), is contributing purely on Voluntary and
Honorary Basis in order to serve all people and communities. Contact: (416)696-0981/jazamedia@hotmail.com
To read more JZ’s exclusive articles, please visit: www. nepmcc.ca and
nationalethnicpress.com (Editorial Sections. Scan years from 2004). Visit
www.javedzaheernews.blogspot.com for latest exclusive articles.
JZ'S MOTTO: SERVE HUMANITY IN REALITY
No comments:
Post a Comment