Latest news with #Anjuman
Mint
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Muzaffar Ali, the artist who created Umrao Jaan: 'I've never been a conventional filmmaker waiting for the market'
It isn't every day that one gets to listen to a man who weaves poetry into film and history into frame. Muzaffar Ali, the visionary behind Umrao Jaan, remains a rare voice in Indian cinema—elegant, introspective and unapologetically rooted in art. In this candid conversation, he speaks not just as a filmmaker but as a cultural custodian whose every word carries the weight of legacy and the grace of lyric. Q: Umrao Jaan still casts a spell after four decades—did you ever imagine this courtesan's voice would echo across generations, even into 2025? A: One always imagines and then embarks on such journeys. It begins with faith—in the idea, in oneself, and in those around you. That chain of conviction is what creates a lasting spell. When that chain breaks, so does the magic. In India, the real challenge has always been to uphold cinema as an elevated art form. For a film to hold its freshness and resonance over four decades—it is nothing short of a miracle. And a blessing. I've never needed to be in the marketplace Q: Your cinema gave Urdu its most luminous screen presence—ghazals, nazms, tehzeeb. Was that your rebellion against the mainstream, or simply your way of preserving what you loved? A: Urdu is, at its heart, a language of love and interconnectedness. When used in cinema in its authentic, unembellished form, it gains a profound ability to touch the soul. Any attempt to exaggerate it only dilutes its power. Urdu has always been the invisible thread running through Indian cinema—it has endured, even when the winds blew against it. My love for poetry has helped me shape characters, emotions and above all, humour. It has given me an edge—a sculptor's eye for the human spirit. Q: Each of your films feels more like a painting than a product—slow, rich, deliberate. Do you think the pace of your art made it timeless, even if it made your filmography rare? A: I think like a painter before I think like a director. I deliberate on light, texture and frame before I invite movement. Once I have my cultural vision in place, I choreograph cinema like an orchestral composition—with rhythm, shade and detail. That's where the poetry begins. Q: Zooni was once your dream—Kashmir, poetry, history—but it remains unreleased. Does its silence haunt you, or have you made peace with what never saw light? A: To me, nothing is ever incomplete. I have dreamt Zooni through… deeply and fully. With my son (filmmaker Shaad Ali), I've even taken it to the next level. One day, I believe, its silence will speak volumes. The lost voices of that legend will find their echo again. 'We must place India on the global map not just as an economic power but as a beacon of love, harmony and understanding.' Q: Between Anjuman (1986) and Jaanisaar (2015), you vanished from cinema but immersed yourself in craft, couture, and cultural revival. Was this a creative exile—or a conscious expansion? A: I immersed myself in the world of Sufi poetry and music, creating Jahan-e-Khusrau, a world Sufi music festival that became a kind of seamless cinema, staged in ruins, illuminated by light and shadow, captured through multiple lenses. My relationship with the camera has never waned. I've made over 30 films on craft, poetry and spirituality, explored countless scripts—including a biopic on Rumi. My time has always been devoted to art: painting, sculpture and the pursuit of meaning. I've never been a conventional filmmaker waiting for the market. I create only when an idea completely possesses me. Q: In an age when filmmakers release multiple projects in a decade, your fans often wonder: Why did you choose such long silences between films? A: There are many ways to find me. I've never needed to be in the marketplace. My work speaks through other forms. Q: Do you feel Indian cinema missed out on the many stories Muzaffar Ali could've told—or did your stories just find other canvases: textiles, poetry, festivals? A: The world would have been richer if more of my films had seen the light of day. But the stories have lived through music, dance, theatre, design, and craft. All the elements that cinema is made of have continued to shape my journey. Q: Many believe only you could have created an anthology of Awadh's lost souls—musicians, rebels, artisans. Did that vision ever tempt you in these streaming-hungry times? A: I follow my heart. In these troubled times, art must serve a higher purpose—to bring peace. My next dream is to create Rumi as a symbol of world peace on Indian soil. We must place India on the global map not just as an economic power but as a beacon of love, harmony and understanding. Q: If you were to remake Umrao Jaan today—not as a film, but as an idea—what would change in the way you portray womanhood, longing, or dignity? A: I did what I could then, and I believe it was for all time. Today, my deepest concern is world peace and cultural understanding. That is the idea I would now reimagine and reshape. My time has always been devoted to art Q: Finally, with Umrao Jaan re-releasing in theatres on June 27, do you feel like a filmmaker revisiting his magnum opus—or a poet returning to a beloved verse that the world is only just beginning to understand? A: People have to believe in me—as a person and as an artist—for the work to remain relevant. At least Umrao Jaan has shown what it means to withstand the test of time. Perhaps, in its return, the world is finally ready to hear the music between the silences.
United News of India
06-06-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
No permission granted for holding Eid prayers at Eidgah: Anjuman
Srinagar, June 6 (UNI) Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid, the managing committee of the mosque affairs on Friday said that the authorities did not grant permission for holding the Eid prayers at the Eidgah congregational ground in Srinagar. Eid-ul-Adha is being celebrated in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday and it is one of the two major Muslim festivals. On Thursday Anjuman had sought clarity from authorities on allowing Eid-ul-Adha prayers at Eidgah. 'The Anjuman deeply regrets that authorities once again did not grant permission for holding the Eid congregation at the Eidgah Srinagar, in keeping with the longstanding Islamic tradition and the collective religious sentiment of the people,' the statement issued by the religious body said. Anjuman announced that the Eid-ul-Adha congregation will be held at the historic Jamia Masjid Srinagar tomorrow at 9:30 am. Prior to the congregational prayers, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq will deliver the Eid sermon from 8:30 am, in which he will speak on the philosophy and spirit of Eid and Qurbani (sacrifice). Auqaf has urged all worshippers to attend the Eid prayers at Jama Masjid in large numbers. Earlier this year, Eid-ul-Fitr prayers were not allowed at the historical Jamia Masjid and Eidgah at the old city Srinagar. Since abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, Eid prayers have not been allowed at the Eidgah for fear of law and order problems. UNI MJR PRS
Business Recorder
29-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
LHC rules market committees can fix rents, penalise defaulters
LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has held that a market committee (MC) is competent to fix market based rents with respect to its leased properties. The court observed that a market committee is required no approval or special or general direction of the government or a person authorised with respect to fixation of rent of already leased properties. The court said a market committee is also empowered to cancel registration of market functionaries in case of default in payment of dues and can also initiate civil and criminal proceedings with respect to punishment to defaulters and recovery of dues as arrears of land revenue. The court dismissed a petition of Anjuman Dukandaran Samdani Market against Chairman Market Committee Toba Tek Singh for increasing rents of the shops. The court said the MC as owner of the shops can determine reasonable rent which must be accepted and paid by the tenants, the court added. The court, however, observed that it is reasonably expected that the rents should be based on prevalent market rates and are settled with mutual consultation of the stakeholders. The court observed that a market committee is required to generate maximum resources and is expected to expand the same in the provision of facilities to realize the objectives of its establishment and does not remain dependent upon the grants made by the government. The court said nothing has been brought on record that the assessment so provided did not reflect prevailing market rents. Nothing has been placed on record that any bye-laws of MC exist regarding the management and operation of public markets has been violated in fixation of rent of shops, the court added. The court said that there is no substance in the contention of the petitioner that the rent could not be increased by more than 10% per annum or 25% after 3 years as there is no such stipulation in the Rented Premises (RP) Act. There is no prohibition in the RP Act that the existing rents could not be enhanced or rationalized subject to existing tenancy agreements to conform to market realities, the court added. The court said it is also manifest from record that meaningful and elaborate consultation has already taken place between the stakeholders and a substantial number of shopkeepers are already paying enhanced rent. The court observed that in case of undue resistance or abuse of the process as is manifest in the instant case, a market committee is equipped with necessary powers under the Act to enforce its decision in accordance with law. The court said due process has been adopted during assessment of rent of shops which is liable to be paid by the members of the Anjuman and in case of non-payment, the defaulting members of the Anjuman are liable to be dealt with in accordance with law, the court concluded. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Muslim clerics, netas back operation against Pakistan terror infra
JAIPUR/LUCKNOW/NAGPUR/HYDERABAD: Prominent Muslim religious and political figures voiced steadfast support for India's military action to decimate the terror camps inside Pakistan. Some of them also underscored the need to maintain unity and communal harmony, while displaying solidarity with the fight against Sarwar Chishty, secretary of Anjuman - the managing body of clerics at the Ajmer Sharif dargah - said: "Sufi shrines across the country have always stood with our beloved motherland, India, in every situation."Muslim clerics in UP hailed the precision strikes on the terror hideouts. Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali, a senior executive member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and head of the Islamic Centre of India, described Operation Sindoor as a necessary and commendable action. "After the brutal killing of 26 innocent people in Pahalgam on April 22, the entire nation was waiting for such a decisive action. This will certainly weaken the morale of the terrorists," he India Shia Personal Law Board general secretary Maulana Yasoob Abbas congratulated PM Narendra Modi and defence Minister Rajnath Singh "for taking this bold decision". In Bareilly, All India Muslim Jamaat president Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi said the operation sent a strong message globally that "India will go to any extent to protect its citizens and borders". Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) said terrorism was a heinous crime against humanity and its eradication was essential for safety, security and peace in president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi was among the most prominent Muslim political leaders to welcome Operation Sindoor. He posted a video on X in which he raised the slogan, "Pakistan Murdabad, Bharat Zindabad".After the Pahalgam massacre, Owaisi had called for an effective retaliation to the "cowardly attack".
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Sufi dargahs voice support to India
Jaipur: Syed Sarwar Chishty , Secretary of Anjuman—the managing body of clerics at the Dargah Ajmer Sharif—voiced steadfast support for India amidst the current situation, underscoring the enduring bond between Sufi Dargahs and the nation."Sufi Dargahs across the country have always stood with our beloved motherland, India, in every situation. This is our sacred land where our Sufi saints rest," Chishty affirmed. He recalled the Khadim (cleric) community's historic resolution in 1947 to support India wholeheartedly. "During the wars of 1965, 1971, and Kargil, we extended moral and financial support to the best of our capacity, establishing a legacy of unity and brotherhood with the nation," he said this relationship is far more than symbolic—it is a testament to the community's deep-rooted patriotism and solidarity. TNN
