Faiz: A Poet in Troubled Times - Film Screening plus Q&A - Thu 9th June 2011 - 7pm

BIRMINGHAM FAIZ CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS KICK OFF WITH THE SCREENING OF THE CULT CLASSIC DOCUMENTARY FAIZ: A POET IN TROUBLED TIMES

Film: Faiz: a Poet in Troubled Times

Thursday 9^th June 2011 7pm

Admission: £5 (£3 concessions)

At the Drum Arts Centre, Birmingham B6 4UU

The Drum in partnership with the Birmingham Faiz Centenary Committee present as part of the Faiz birth centenary programme, this moving and revealing documentary on the life and times of arguably one of the greatest poets of the twentieth century: Faiz Ahmed Faiz. Directed by the acclaimed film maker Faris Kermani and narrated by the writer and political activist Tariq Ali, this film has become a cult classic and definitive film on Faiz. Using archival and original footage including interviews with his family members, intellectuals and activists, and Faiz’s poetry itself, the film tells the story of how the writer, trade unionist and political activist used his creative endeavors to defend human rights and further the universal causes of social justice and liberty, and of his imprisonment and eventual exile.

The film has a particular significance to Birmingham as it includes some rare footage of Faiz in Moseley, reciting poetry to friends – a touching portrayal of intimacy and the endurance of the human spirit in exile.

The screening is followed by a discussion facilitated by Rajwinder Pal from South Asian Alliance. Many of Faiz’s friends from Birmingham will be joining us in the screening to recount their memories and debate Faiz’s political ideals and poetic concerns

“The powerful in the global politics want the perpetuation of their control through handpicked cronies and lackeys in different countries. We will need poets like Faiz and Neruda to expose them and give us courage to fight against them” – Edward W. Said

“From the villages and fields of the sub-continent to the streets of Birmingham; Faiz’s poems are memorised by people who admire him because of his commitment to furthering human liberation from the grind of daily oppression. We at the Drum seek to honor his memory in our progressive work on behalf of our local communities” – Mukhtar Dar (The Drum)

“Faiz symbolised all that is humane, dignified, refined, brave and challenging in South Asia. By paying our tribute to him, we are re-affirming our continued commitment to fight against injustice and oppression” – Rajwinder Pal (South Asian Alliance)

“Faiz’s poetry transcends geographical boundaries; and is timeless, the Mushaira in Birmingham is a befitting tribute to the great legendary poet” – Abbas Malik (Fanoos Literary Society)

For more information please contact the Drum Arts Centre
Telephone: +44 (0)121 333 2444
E-Mail: m.dar@the-drum.org.uk

The Drum Arts Centre: 144 Potter Lane, Aston, Birmingham B6 4UU
www.the-drum.org.uk

Background Notes on Faiz Ahmed Faiz and the Birmingham Faiz Centenary Cttee

Faiz was a renowned Urdu poet from Pakistan. He was born in 1911 in British India in the small Punjabi village of Kala Kadar near Sialkot. Faiz was educated initially in a mosque school and then in Scott and Murray Mission School in Sialkot and he subsequently went to Lahore, graduating in English Literature (BA) and Arabic (MA). His mastery of four languages (Arabic, English, Persian and Urdu) enabled him to craft poetry of exquisite beauty in coming years.

In the 1930s, Faiz became active in the Progressive Writers’ Association, a powerful cultural movement that shaped the struggle against the British Empire in India. He also joined the Communist Party of India. After the partition of India in 1947, he remained committed to the movement and was influential in developing the newly-formed Communist Party of Pakistan.

Apart from a being great poet, Faiz edited several journals and newspapers, and authored film scripts and documentaries. His inspirational poetry and prose won him the accolade of being the first Asian poet to be awarded the Lenin Peace Prize in 1963, and he was also nominated for the Nobel Prize four times. His works have been translated into many languages including almost all the languages of the erstwhile Soviet Union, the Americas and China.

Faiz’s poetry has no bitterness. It articulates the aspirations, anguish, pain and suffering of not only the people of Pakistan but of the whole world, as well as reflecting their unremitting resolve to create a more just society. His was the voice of sanity, for he sought peace in a troubled world. He used his art and his colossal international status as a poet to fight for the rights of the poor, the dispossessed and the oppressed. With his work taking him all over the world, Faiz’s name became indelibly linked to progressive political causes and liberation struggles across the globe.

Lionised by the masses at home and abroad, Faiz nevertheless incurred the wrath of military dictatorships in Pakistan and spent many stints in prison for his political values and beliefs, eventually leading to periods of exile. It was whilst in exile that he spent time in Birmingham and developed close ties with the city and its people.

This year sees Faiz’s centenary being celebrated by his admirers across the globe and in many cities in the UK. Given Faiz’s special connection with the city of Birmingham, a group of like-minded individuals and organizations have come together to develop a programme of events aimed at broadening the scope of his contributions in the spheres of culture and politics in and beyond South Asia.

The programme of commemorative events is supported by the South Asian Alliance, a Birmingham based organisation dedicated to promoting understanding and harmony amongst Birmingham’s diverse communities, while other participating organisations include Fanoos Literary Society, Women Together and the Indian Workers’ Association. Through the programme of events, the Birmingham Faiz Centenary Committee seeks to project Faiz’s political ideals and the central concerns of his poetical work to a newer generation of young people.

Ends –

Mukhtar Dar

Director of Arts & Marketing

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The Drum | 144 Potters Lane | Aston | Birmingham | B6 4UU