Life history OF FAKHRUDDIN BALLEY
WRITTEN BY: Aalama Ghulam Shabir Bukhari
Name : SYED FAKHRUDDIN BALLEY (Urdu: سَیّدفخرالدین بَلٰے)
Date of birth: 15th December, 1930.
This birth date is according to the official documents.
Real date of birth: 6th April, 1930
Day: Sunday
Birth location:Hapur}urdu:ہاپوڑ۔{۔(Meerut)Subcontinent
Age: 73 years, 9 months, 22 days
This duration is according to the Christian Calendar
According to the Higri calendar, his age was 76 years and one month.
Balley’s particular name {URDU: بَلّےکیوجہِ تسمیہ }
Sultan-ul-Hind, Ghareeb Nawaz HazratKhawajaMoeenuddinChistiSanjariAjmari named his son Syed Fakhruddin and called him with nickname “Balley”. Same in this way, His father GhulamMoeenuddin named him as Syed Fakhruddin and gave him the nickname “Balley”. that’s how Syed FakhruddinBalley became famous with name Balley.
Father’s name: Syed Ghulam Moeen-ud- din Chishti
Mother’s name:Amtul Latif Begum
Grandfather’s name: Syed Ghulam Mohi.ud.din Chishti.
Spouse :MehrAfroze [MEHRO]
Children: AzraKamal.AnjumMoeenBalley.AsmaRizwan.
ArifMoeenBalley.AanisMoeen .NazAzhar.AaminaAsif.ZafarMoeenBalley
Religion: Islam
Doctrine:ChishtiaSilsilaAliya
Citizenship: Pakistani
Identification: Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Written By; AalamaShabirBukhari
Family Back ground of Syed Fakhruddin Balley
Starting from Hazrat Moeenuddin Chishti, your family background is linked to Hazrat Ali (R.A) by 43 connections.
Fore Fathers Political Services:
Syed FakhruddinBalley’s family had written many tales of sacrifices. There is no era in which they are non-dynamic. He had done services at social level. He had done social welfare work without greed of any reward and provided comfort to the deprived segment of the society. Your father was the supervisor of the political campaign of Liaqat Ali Khan (Martyr) in 1942. He took part in Muslim Akabir of 1906 in Dhaka as an envoy of province Agra. The announcement of Muslim League was made in this gathering. Your great grandfather Mir Qadir Ali also provided the services for Muslim cause. He was the member of All India Muslim Defense Committee which was made by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, established in 1893. Mir Qadir Ali’s father Mir Nizam Ali was the martyr of freedom war which was fought at Meerut in 1857.
I am writing the biography of such personality with whom the relation of love was established in Muslim University Aligarh. This fellowship is not of two or four years but part of half century. He was known as a poet, author, Sufi, intellectual, creator, speaker, journalist, compiler, expert of public relations, researcher and scholar and today these traits becomes his identity in the world of knowledge and literature.He did not take rest in all of his life and did not even let others to do same. He was very fond of pleasant gathering and it was his pastime hobby too. The QAFLA{caravan} attendees will definitely support me. And all these literature fellows have also contributed to their literary and cultural turmoil. He was an entire universe and a great man in his own personality, but also a legend as well. He lived a great life. He is no longer with us but still alive in the hearts of their loved ones. Molvi Abdul Haq, FiraqGorakhpuri, Dr. Jugan
Nath Azad, Josh MalihAbadi, Dr. Wazir Agha, Dr. KhawajaZakria, Ashfaq Ahmed, Annemarie Schimmel, Peer HasaamuddinRashidi, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, IntizarHussain, KhawajaNasiruddinNasir Peer of GolraShareef, AllamaNasirulIjtahadi, MirzaAdib, PareshanKhatak, Allama Syed Ahmed Syed Kazmi, Dr. Aslam Ansari, RaisAmrohvi, Dr.UnwanChishti, Ahmad NadeemQasmi, John Aaliaand including others, I do not whom I should mention andwhom should I leave. The renowned authors look at this person’s work and words and praise his contributions in their own style. And uncover hidden ideas of their thinking, personality, services and art. In coming future, if any research is done in this regard, these words of appreciation from scholars will be the basis of the knowledge.
Name and lineage
Name:Syed FakhruddinBalley [Urdu :سَیّدفخرالدین بَلٰے[
Complete name: Syed Fakruddin Muhammad Balley
Pen name:Syed FakhruddinBalley
Poetic name and Surname:Balley .]URDU :بلّے]
ازل سےعالم موجودتک سفرکرکے
تھکےتوجسم کےحجرے میں اعتکاف کیا
. The companionship of the elders in childhood
Syed Fakharud Din Bally had the companionship of Abulkalam Azad, Dr. ZakirHussain, MulanaHasratMohani, Maulvi Abdul Haq, Rasheed Ahmed Siddique, JigarMuradAbadi, AllamaNiazFatehPuri, SeemabAkbarabadi, Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto, Mulana Abdul Salam Niazi and many more great personalities in their childhood.
A Child Speaker of Pakistan Movement
Syed FakhruddinBalley had taken part in Pakistan Movement as child speaker in 1944-47. In this movement Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Liaqat Ali Khan, Nawab Ismael Khan, ChKhaleequlZaman, SardarAbdulrabNishtar, I. I. Chundrigar and Husain ShaheedSoharwardi addressed too.
Education and Institutions
Matric: Allahabad educational board, Allahabad
Muslim University Aligarh, Aligarh
F.Sc
B.Sc
And M.Sc (Geology)
From Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh.
Poetic Journey was started from 1944
First Stanza
پوچھتاہےجب بھی کوئی مجھ سےخاموشی کی بات
آسماں کو دیکھ کرخاموش ہوجاتا ہوں میں
Extracurricular activitiesin Aligarh University
Syed FakhruddinBalleytook part in extracurricular activities whole heartedly. He showed his abilities in verse recitation contest, debate, poetic gathering and declamatory contests. He had taken the best wishes and prayers from senior teachers. He became the Joint Secretary of Muslim Student Federation. He provided his services as the editor of university union’s magazine and also published his own magazine named Jhalak, Aligarh. He had a great companion circle and also very famous among teachers as well.
Decision to leave India
Embracing his beautiful memories, he was ready to say goodbye to India.
Immigration
First Camp in Lahore
Syed FakhruddinBalley stayed in Karachi for a while and then analyzing the chances of employment, he decided to go to the Shore of Sutlej River.
Domicile: Bahawalpur
He started his career from Bahawalpur.
Human Figure
Syed FakhruddinBalley was tall by Academic credibility and moderate heighted physically.
Head was huge like a chief.
Curly hair with centered line, this is a matter of when he was young. He left to make center line of his hair due to old age but the middle line eventually came after brushing.
Big beautiful eyes.
Red veins in eyes prominent the white and black color more.
Wide forehead with three four lines of thoughts.
These lines became more prominent when he was in deep thoughts.
He was the owner of beautiful appearance.
Clean shaved. He was never seen with beard in any gathering.
Hair on chest and this hair line leads to the belly button.
Prophet wrists and molten palm of hands.
After shaking hand, it felt that these hands had never done any hard work. Although these hands continued writing poetry throughout the life.
Personality:
Syed FakhruddinBalley was the name of dignified and cheerfulness personality. His pleasant dressing was the mirror of his pleasant nature. His nature was fully coated with the sophistication. He attracted people by his personality traits. His dialogues had no taunts but the humor. Syed FakhruddinBalleybecame very happy to see people moving forward. He held no grudges. He was highly capable, open hearted and had wide vision. Distinction was hisspeciality and tolerance was his identity.
DRESS
Pleasant dressing became his identity in young age.
Three piece suit and cheerful color tie with matching shoes.Sometimes quintessence cut waist coat, kurtashalwar.Shairwani color shirt and pents. Sherwani. Kurtashalwar with saleemshahi . Matching pent shirt along with matching shoes.
Prefer only white shalwarkamiz with white shoes in last period of life.
Syed FakhruddinBalley liked to wear black, white or grey cloak in winters. He wore green kurta and white shalwar on 7th Muharram ul Haram and wore black kurta and white shalwar on 10th Muharram ul Haram. This tradition continued throughout his life.
Behavior: Dervish
Manners: Magnificent
Thinking: Mystical
Habit: Love humanity and respect human nature
Nature:
Smile, do good in return of bad, provide courage to those who were suffering, helping people without showing, always saw positive aspects.
Hobbies:
Book reading, pleasant meetings, praying all night.
Fields:
Literature, art, culture, Sufism, antiquity, world religion, research, travelling, mineral resources, public relations.
Departments:
Information, public relations, tourism, protocol, Arts Council, social welfare,Local Bodies. Ministry of Religious Affairs,Ministry of Minority Affairs, Ministry of overseas Pakistanis.
Foreign tours:
Iran, China, Sri lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and India.
Syed FakhruddinBalley had done India’s visit with Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto foreign minister of Pakistan. Bhutto declared his performance outstanding while returning to Pakistan and Bhutto’s remarks were enough to make us proud. The details are saved in my memories.Mr.Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto wrote “ The performance of Mr. Syed FakhruddinBalley at New Delhi was excellently excellent.”
Habits and Hobbies:
Syed FakhruddinBalley had seen in different fields in different eras of life. Cricket, badminton, ring, table tennis, scrabble, carom, ludo, chess, bridge.
Compilation and publications:
Syed FakhruddinBalley had compiled more than 150 publications, and published them of those institutions with whom he was working. These publications have books, booklet and brochures. These compilations are in Urdu, Hindi, English and Persian languages. These publications reflectedSyed FakhruddinBalley’s intellectuality, dignity, knowledge about Pakistan, grip on language and love for Pakistan.
Two Research Books:
Syed FakhruddinBalley had written research book on the personality of Hazart Ali (R.A), named “WilayatPannah” {URDU: {ولایتپناہ
Fine arts and Islam
Syed FakhruddinBalley above mention research book by all the aspects of Islam is intellectual property, which open hearts and eyes.
Two research achievements after 7 centuries
After AmeerKhusro, Syed FakhruddinBalley had created the “QOl TARANA”{Urdu:ترانہ{ قولand “Rang” } Urdu: { رنگwhose composition was made by radio Pakistan Multan. Scholars and Sufis declared both these unique creative work as a great achievement.
Art Benefactor….. A Man ofthe Stage
Syed FakhruddinBalley was given the title of Art benefactor by cultural organizations and by stage artists for promoting art and for arranging 25 days of Drama Festival in 1982 in Multan.
Residence:
Government job had made him Bedouin. He stayed in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Multan, Quetta, Kalat, Khuzdar and Bahawalpur during his job. He had great friend circle in these cities as well.
Retirement:
Director Public Relations, Government of the Punjab (20th grade)
15 December 1990
Jobs after retirement:
Free lancing (Journalist), media consultant, and public relations practitioner.
Permanent mark on Journalism:
Syed FakhruddinBalley had left permanent mark on journalism. He wrote column in newspapers and magazines. His smithereens on social and political issue also gained interest. He had written many speeches for president of Pakistan, provincial governors and chief ministers that we cannot even count. Their companions asked him to write article and then public those articles with their own names and this happened mostly. Many people became book owner by having their piece of work.
Syed FakhruddinBalley worked brilliantly as chief editor and editor in few magazines. He also had signatures on government official magazines too. The details of the magazines published under his supervision are follows;
Editor fortnightly The Union, Aligarh
Founder editor of Jhalak monthly, Aligarh
Joint Editor daily No-roze, Karachi
Joint Editor Bahawalpur Review, Bahawalpur
Editor monthly Lahore affairs, Lahore
Editor weekly Istaqlal, Lahore
Editor monthly West Pakistan, Lahore
Founder chief editor monthly Falah, Lahore
Founder chief editor monthly Auqaf, Islamabad
Founder chief editor monthly Hum Watan, Islamabad
Founder chief editor monthly Yaran-e -Pakistan, Islamabad
Founder chief editor weekly Awaz- e -jaras, Lahore
Founder chief editor fortnightly Muslim League News, Lahore
Founder chief editor monthlyNawa e Baldiat, Lahore
Founder chief editor monthlyHamara Multan, Multan
Literature institutions and departments:
Founder of literature organization named Qafla.{Urdu;{قافلہ
Syed FakhruddinBalley made Qafla of creators, artists, poets, writers and scholars, who camped in Lahore and Multan under the supervision of Syed FakhruddinBalley. On his wish the camp of Qafla was placed at Bahawalpur’s famous writer TabishAlwari’s home.
PUNJNAD ACADEMY {Five River Academy}
Syed FakhruddinBalley found new methods to appreciate the artist, for protection of culture of South Punjab ,( Saraiki culture), capabilities in different fields and for appreciations. He made PUNJNAD Academy { Meaning Fiver River} and also wrote booklet about it, whose lines had shown the dream of Syed FakhruddinBalley, which can be fulfilled.
MOEEN ACADEMY
He made Moeen Academy on the name of his forefathers. He had published many authors’ books under this institution.
Heart Disease:
Syed FakhruddinBalley had a heart attack in 1980. Doctors had recommended him to quit smoking and take rest. But he did none of them. He lived 24 years with heart problem. He left his work for children’s happiness and then started his working again with lot more passion. Doctors said that only one forth part of his heart is working. In last period of life he had to put oxygen pipes in nostrils for 18 hours but this disease could not let him down. We had not seen such will power and self-confidence before. He had moved to Nishtar hospital in second week of January 2004. He thanked God in severe health condition. He had thanksgiving nature.
Date of Death:
28th January, 2004
6thZulhajjah, Wednesday 8:05 He left this world.
Buried in Bahawalpur:
Thursday 29th January, 2004
Last Camped
Noor Shah Bukhari Graveyard, Bahawalpur
جیتےجی ہےاس مٹی کا قرض چکانا مشکل
بڑھ جائےگا قبرمیں جاکراس مٹی کا قرض
Profile of Syed FakhruddinBalley
Written by: AallamaShabirBukhari.
Syed FakhruddinBalley. A Man like a Sky…
Syed FakhruddinBalley
FREE-LANCE JOURNALIST
MEDIA CONSULTANT
PUBLIC RELATIONS PRACTITIONER
RETIRED DIRECTOR PUBLIC RELATIONS
GOVERNMENT OF THE PUNJAB (BS – 20)
Syed FakhruddinBalley
Father’s Name:Syed MoeenuddinJafri
Date of Birth : December 15, 1930
Date of Death : January 28, 2004
Academic Qualifications : MSc. from Muslim University, Aligarh
Adib-e-Kamil from Jama-i-Urdu, Aligarh
F.E.L. from Punjab University
Training at NIPA Lahore
Spouse :MehrAfroze [MEHRO]
Children: AzraKamal.AnjumMoeenBalley.AsmaRizwan.
ArifMoeenBalley.AanisMoeen .NazAzhar.AaminaAsif.ZafarMoeenBalley
Religion: Islam
District of Domicile : Bahawalpur
Permanent Address : Graveyard Noor Shah Bukhari, BWP
National Identity Card # : 344-92-286581
Autograph
ABOUT FORTY FIVE YEARS EXPERIENCE AS A WORKING JOURNALIST (EDITOR, SCRIPT WRITER, PUBLISHER)
1. Editor, Fortnightly “THE UNION”, Aligarh: 1949-51. (An organ of the Muslim University Students’ Union).
2. Editor, (Founder) Monthly “JHALAK”, Aligarh: 1951-52. (A literary/film magazine).
3. Joint Editor, Daily “NAUROSE”, Karachi: 1952-53.
4. Joint Editor, “BAHAWALPUR REVIEW”, Bahawalpur: 1953-55.
5. Editor, Monthly “LAHORE AFFAIRS”, Lahore: 1956-60. (An organ of the West Pakistan Government).
6. Editor, Fortnightly “ISTAQLAL”, Lahore: 1961-62. (An organ of the West Pakistan Government).
7. Editor, Monthly “WEST PAKISTAN”, Lahore: 1962-63. (An organ of the West Pakistan Government).
8. Chief Editor, (Founder) Monthly “FALAH”, Lahore: 1969-70. (An organ of the West Pakistan Social Welfare Council).
9. Chief Editor, (Founder) Monthly “AUQAF”, Islamabad: 1976-77. (An organ of Ministry of Religious Affairs).
10. Chief Editor, (Founder) Monthly “HAMWATAN”, Islamabad: 1976-77. (An organ of Ministry of Minority Affairs).
11. Chief Editor, (Founder) Monthly “YARAN-E-WATAN”, Islamabad: 1976-77. (An organ of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis).
12. Chief Editor, Weekly “AWAZ-E-JARAS”, Lahore: 1989-93. (A literary periodical).
13. Chief Editor, Fortnightly “MUSLIM LEAGUE NEWS”, Lahore: 1991-92.
14. Chief Editor, Monthly “NAWA-I-BALDIAT”, Lahore: 1991-93. (An organ of elected local bodies in the Punjab).
15. Contributed innumerable articles on different subjects / topics to leading English and Urdu newspapers and periodicals, and as officer in-charge of Press Information work produced in their hundreds news-items, news-features and press releases of various Government departments as well as Government and Semi-Government agencies and institutions (1953 – 1958, 1960 – 1968, 1978 – 1981 & 1986 – 1990).
16. Wrote innumerable speeches, messages, Radio/TV talks etc. of the Presidents, Prime Ministers, Governors, Chief Ministers, Ministers, Secretaries to Government, Heads of Departments and other important personalities.
17. Organized press conferences and press meetings and conducted press briefings and press parties in their hundreds.
18. Compiled, edited and published more than 150 books, brochures, booklets etc. on different subjects.
TOURISM, PROTOCOL AND GOVERNMENT
HOSPITALITY
1. Wrote and produced tourist literature on places of archeological, historical, scenic and other interests in West Pakistan, like Harappa, Moenjodaro, Taxila, Lahore, Peshawar, Khyber, Kaghan, Kafiristan, Sawat, Bolan Valley, Cholistan etc. (1958 – 1960).
2. Conducted foreign dignitaries / delegations, including Heads of Governments and Missions and arranged receptions for them (1958 – 1960).
3. Conducted foreign tourists as tourist officer and worked for the promotion of inland tourism and allied trades, (1958 – 1960).
ADVERTISING
1. Produced innumerable slogans and advertisements and arranged their display in newspapers, periodicals, on the screen as well as on posters and banners.
2. Worked as supervisor of advertisement management of Public Relations Department as Bahawalpur, Multan and Lahore, besides Social Welfare Department, Monthly “FALAH”, Lahore, Monthly “AUQAF”, Monthly “HAMWATAN” and Monthly “YARAN-E-WATAN”, Islamabad, Weekly “AWAZ-E-JARAS”, Lahore, Monthly “NAWA-I-BALDIAT”, Lahore, etc.
PUBLIC RELATIONS (40 YEARS)
1. Worked as Public Relations Officer with ten Ministers and more than a dozen Government and Semi-Government agencies. Also worked as divisional head of Information and Public Relations Department and head of Public Relations Consultancy of Social Welfare, besides supervising field public relations operations.
2. Prepared epitomes of news and views of national and foreign press and produced their epidiascope interpretations for policy makers.
3. Trained 53 officers (BS-17) in modern methodology of Public Relations and Media Liaison.
APPLIED PUBLIC RELATIONS
Individual Contact Maintained individual contact with leaders of the public opinion and men-who-matter in different walks of life, particularly media-men, thinkers and intellectuals.
Group Contact Maintained intimate liaison with different groups of people like writers, poets, intellectuals, farmers, businessmen, ulema, teachers, students, lawyers, workers, industrialists, trade unionists, social workers & community leaders.
Mass Contact Assisted in organizing public meetings and arranging mass contact operations as and when required by Government or ruling party.
VOICE AND VISION OPERATIONS
1. Gave a large number of radio talks and participated in different other programs of Radio Pakistan and Pakistan Television like discussions and symposia.
2. Member, Advisory Committee, Radio Pakistan, Quetta/Multan and Pakistan National Center, Multan (1966-67 and 1972-76).
3. Produced and arranged display of documentary and feature films as well as cinema and TV slides as in-charge of Films and Publication Wing of the Information Department.
(SOME PART MISSING OF THIS PAGE)
1. Member, West Pakistan Committee for the Rehabilitation of Socially and Physically Handicapped.
2. Member, West Pakistan Council for National Cleanliness Drive – 1966.
3. As Public Relation Consultant, Social Welfare ipso-facto member of all committees set up by the Directorate General and Council of Social Welfare: 1968-70.
4. Media Consultant, Social Welfare Board, 1977 – 1988.
ART AND CULTURE
1. Organized at national, regional and international level different kind of functions like seminars, symposia, conferences, workshops, mushairas, musical concerts, stage plays, exhibitions of paintings and other arts, sports and other programmatic activities at different places.
2. Organized dance and music classes at Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan etc., and assisted dramatic societies and social as well as cultural organizations in presenting shows, plays, exhibitions and other functions.
3. Organized art exhibitions at Lahore, Multan, Sialkot, Rawalpindi, Quetta, Peshawar, Karachi etc.
4. Set up art galleries and performance loc Tories at Rawalpindi and Multan.
5. Organized first ever 25-day drama festival at Multan in 1982, during which 19 different plays were staged. This received country-wide appreciation and national recognition.
LITERATURE
1. Contributed short stories, articles, poems, etc. to leading newspapers and literary periodicals.
2. A number of authors/critics selected Mr. Balley’s works, poetry and prose both, to comment in their publications and at literary functions.
3. Wrote foreword on more than two dozen books of authors and poets of national repute.
4. Read more than 50 papers at literacy symposia and seminars held at national and international level.
5. About 30 leading scholars, critics and intellectuals of national fame read papers and wrote articles on Mr. Balley’s performance in the field of art and literature.
6. Research work on Hazrat Ali (A.S), GhausBahauddinZakria and Fine Arts.
7. Revised “Qualtarana” and Rang”, which are recited at the beginning and the end of the “Qawali” respectively. Radio Pakistan did their Musical compositions. (These fundamental items of “Sama” have been revised after over 700 years, the latest presentations are of Amir Khusru – 686 HJ)
8. Patron of “Qafla”, an organization of writers, poets, intellectuals etc. who have been getting together regularly at the residence of Mr. Balley at 5 pm on the 1st day of every calendar month, since October 1989.
POSTS HELD (GOVERNMENT SERVICE)
1. Joined Government service in Public Relations and Information Department, Bahawalpur. April 1953.
2. Transferred to Lahore, after integration of West Pakistan, as Assistant Information Officer (January 1956 to March 1959).
3. Tourist/Protocol Officer, Public Relations Department, West Pakistan, Lahore (April1959 to August 1960).
4. Press Information Officer, Public Relations Department, West Pakistan, Lahore (August 1960 to November 1966).
5. Divisional Information Officer, West Pakistan, Kalat (December 1966 to April 1968).
6. Selected as Public Relations Consultant/Officer (Sr. Class-1), Social Welfare, West Pakistan (April 1968 to July 1970).
7. Assistant Director, Press Information, Punjab, Lahore (July 1970 to May 1971).
8. Assistant Director Public Relations, Multan (having additional charge of Bahawalpur Division) (May 1971 to February 1976).
9. Assistant Director Public Relations, Sargodha Division (March 1976 to April 1976).
10. Assistant Director Public Relations, Punjab, Lahore (April to September 1976).
11. Deputy Director (General), Research and Reference, Ministry of religious Affairs and Minority Affairs, Islamabad and Chief Editor, Monthly “AUQAF”, Monthly “HAMWATAN”, Monthly “YARAN-E-WATAN”, (September 1976 to September 1977).
12. Assistant Director Public Relations, Lahore (Oct 1977 to April 1978).
13. Assistant Director Public Relations, Sargodha Division (April 1978 to August 1979).
14. Deputy Director, Public Relations, (Publications, Films, Books, Research and References), Punjab, Lahore (September 1979 to December 1980).
15. Deputy Director, Culture and Tourism, Govt. of Punjab, Lahore (December 1980 to January 1981).
16. Deputy Director, Press Information, Government of Punjab. Lahore (February 1981 to September 1981).
17. Resident Editor, Rawalpindi Arts Council, Rawalpindi Punjab, (October 1981 to April 1982).
18. Resident Editor, Multan Arts Council, Punjab, Multan (April 1982 to April 1986).
19. Deputy Director Press Information, Punjab, Lahore (April 1986 to March 1988).
20. Director Public Relations, Government of Punjab, (March 1988 to December 1990) (Retired in BS-20, on 15-12-1990).
PARTICIPATION IN NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
1. Accompanied Pakistan delegation, headed by the Foreign Minister of New Delhi for Bhutto-Swaran Singh ministerial level talks on Kashmir Issue in 1963.
2. Participated as delegate/observer and organizer/stage secretary in National and International Seminars, Symposia, Workshops and Conferences on labor-management relationship, industries and trade; social welfare and community development, art and culture, languages and literature, as well as important personalities like Quaid-e-Azam, AllamaIqbal, popular saints, scholars and other national heroes.
3. Read papers at more than 80 seminars and symposia, besides organizing and participating in literary, religious, social and cultural functions.
PAKISTAN MOVEMENT
1. Joint Secretary, All India “MUSLIM STUDENTS’ FEDERATION”, M.U.Aligarh: 1946-47.
2. Member of the Late A.T.M. Mustafa’s Mission; visited NWFP in 1946.
3. Participated in Relief Work Muslims at GarhMukteshar, after the mass killing of Muslims on Ganga Ashnan in 1946.
4. Participated as child speaker in public meetings addressed by the Quaid-e-Azam, Liaqat Ali Khan, Nawab Ismail Khan, Ch. Khaliq-uz-Zaman, SardarAbdurRabNishter, Late I.I.Chundrigar, HussainShahidSunrawardi etc. 1944-1947.
5. Experienced 7 days imprisonment at Abdullahpur Jail (Meerut) for voicing the grievances of Indian Muslims, immediately before migration to Pakistan.
BIOGRAPHY OF SYED FAKHRUDDIN BALLEY
Written by: AalamaShabirBukhari
Syed FakhruddinBalley Was an institution in itself .
Written By
Jamil-ud-Din Aali
Translated By: Maj. (R) David Emmanuel
Syed FakhruddinBalley was not an individual; he was an institution in itself. He was like a shady tree that gave sigh relief and protection from scorching sun to many. Young or old all enjoyed the fruit of this celestial tree. Aroma of his personality delighted his zealous fans. He had equal command on Urdu, Persian, English and Hindi languages. He has more than 150 publications/compilations to his name in these languages which included books, booklets and broachers. He was a down to earth man; never caused discomfort to anyone. I can claim this basing on my relations with him that encompass not a few years but over half a century. The relation that developed in Aligarh, as the time passed, kept on strengthening. Lahore, Bahawalpur, Multan, Rawalpindi and Islamabad, where ever he went we remained in touch. We had a wonderful time in Bahawalpur. We attended innumerable literary gathering. Memories of these gatherings cannot be penned in single article. Yes, a thick volume may justify to some extent. I seldom met such multifaceted personality. He always gathered love and respect through services to literature. Literary fraternity wrote a lot about him. Right from his early age he engrossed attention of literary giants of his era.
Let us appreciate the statements of great literary figures of his time. Account of these people will vividly explain the personality of Balley Sahib.
Baba-e-Urdu Maulavi Abdul Haq Says, “May be verse or prose, picking mistake in his work is next to impossible”. According to FiraqGorukhpuri, like a painter with palette, he painted with his words. In one of his article DrUnwanChishti wrote, “Syed FakhruddinBalley had numerous unexplored worlds within himself, which were revealed time to time accordingly”. He was like a shrine of KhawajaGhareeb Nawaz. Perhaps that is why we see a hue of ChishtiaMaslak and mysticism in his work. In one of the literary gathering Josh Maleehabadi openly remarked that the work of Balley Sahib contained flow of streams and brooks. His work reflected in depth study of history, literature and mysticism. MirzaAdeeb once remarked, “Every time I met Balley Sahib I discovered yet another facet of his personality. To me he was honour and pride of Urdu literature”. JaganNathAzaad used to say that after reading his literary work it was difficult to get out of his spell for days and months. Dr.KhawajaZikria wrote, “His personality as well as his work was multi-dimensional. His conversation reflected his in depth study and rich experience. People who met him always carried with them a pleasant feeling about Balley Sahib”. Muhammad Tufail, editor of famous literary journal “Naqoosh” acknowledging his multi-faceted personality said, “I find him as a multi-dimensional personality. He is a man of many dimensions with one body”. Allama Syed Ahmed SaeedKazmi once quoted the saying of the Holy prophet (pbuh), “Ali is lord of those whose lord I am”. Transfiguration of this quote which was transferred to AmeerKhusro by HazratNizamud din Aulia is seen fulfilled inSyedFakhruddinBalley Sahib. His fulfillment of this linkage is a great achievement in itself. KhawajaNaseerud Din Naseer of GolraShareef appreciated Balley Sahib whole heartedly.
Balley Sahib’s historic achievement of writing “QOL Tarana” (a specific way of writing Qawali) after seven centuries, yet again became the pride of Multan city.
Dr.Aslam Ansari writes,”Balley Sahib’s effort to write “Rung” (way of writing quali) is not only an attempt to preserve centuries old tradition but to carry it forward. I believe his effort will be recognized for years to come”. Let me explain to the reader that “qual and rung” was introduced in qawali by AmeerKhusro. But after seven centuries Syed FakhruddinBalley Sahib invented a new “QolTarana”. These qawalies were composed at Radio Pakistan Multan. It was a new genre introduced in Qawali. This genre of quali was reinvented after seven centuries. Annemarie Schimmel an influential German Orientalist, Pir of Hala Sharif MakhdoomTalibAlMaula, MakhdoomSajjadHussainQureshi, Dr.Burhan Ahmed Farooqi and PirHassamud Din Rashidi termed Balley Sahib an authority on mysticism and Sufism. Annemarie Schimmel and Balley Sahib had been writing letters to each other. He showed me some of her letters. She was a great admirer of his knowledge and wisdom. DrWazir Agha in his critical essay on Balley Sahib wrote, “Balley Sahib has such command and grip on mysticism that we can very conveniently call him authority on the subject”. Balley Sahib carried out detailed and in depth research on Hazarat Ali. He sent the manuscript of this research to Dr.BaqirRizvi as well. Dr.Baqir appreciated this research as a great achievement. He sent a letter of appreciation to Balley Sahib for this great work.
As Director Multan Arts Council, Balley Sahib conducted 25-day Jashan-e-Tamseel-82 (Drama festival). It was recognized as a great cultural success. On this success he was given the title of “Man of the stage” and “Benefactor of Art and literature”. During 1991 GhulamHaiderWynewas Chief Minister Punjab and Balley Sahib was chief editor of fortnightly Muslim League News. A delegation from film fraternity called on Chief Minister GhulamHaiderWyne in Muslim League House. I also went there. In fact Balley Sahib was already there and it was he who asked to join them. During meeting famous film actor Muhammad Ali told Chief Minister that a single person like Balley Sahib would be good enough to save the sinking boat of film industry.
PareshanKhattack called Balley sahib a towering personality of Urdu literature. According to Professor PareshanKhattackBalleySahib”s literary achievements were far greater than the works of many people put to gather. DrAsiKarnali wrote, “Balley Sahib is not a person he is a university embodied; he is art and culture transformed into a person. His fertile mind is like a computer programmed with unfathomable knowledge. The various shades of his knowledge are manifested according to the need of the time. We are astonished to see the depth of his knowledge. He is a deep ocean of knowledge”.
Joan Alia used to call Balley Sahib “My Love” (jaan-e-janan). In his several interviews to newspapers, Joan Alia more than once called Balley Sahib as “My Love” (jaan-e-janan). Joan Alia used to say that Balley Sahib and his poetry both were beautiful. Balley Sahib’s personality is reflected in his poetry. His poetry and personality are so strongly knittedthat studying poetry and his personalityseparately is not possible. They are so beautifully that only the beholder can understand and visualize his beauty.
It was during mid-seventies that some friends gathered at the residence of Josh Maleehabadi’s son Kharoosh. During tea time people were reciting their poetry as well. Famous poet ZameerJafari appreciated Balley Sahib’s poetry in his typical manner and declared his piece of poetry as the best of the evening.
When renowned Indian literary figure Ram Lal came to Pakistan, Chief Editor “Naqoosh” Muhammad Tufail’s son JavedTufail invited literary fraternity at his house. Various aspects of Urdu literature were discussed during this gathering. While hugging Balley Sahib, Ram Lal told him that literary fraternity in India always remembered him in good words. A few days back I met some colleagues in Delhi. I told them about my visit to Pakistan. This revoked the mention of Balley Sahib. Your colleagues from Aligarh were also there. Hearing this Dr Agha Sohail promptly remarked that it not something surprising for him. “Balley Sahib is a caravan personified. Where ever this caravan halts, literary assembly is formed. Love of Indian men of letter for him is not something unusual. He is an honor and pride of literature. Balley Sahib knows the art of living in the hearts of his fans”. During this conversation it was revealed that Balley Sahib had very close relations with Muhammad Tufail the father of JavedTufail.
Some twenty years back I arranged a literary gathering at my place. We were fortunate to hear a lot of beautiful Naats. HafeezTaib did wonders. His Naat was so soulful that our eyes were swelled with tears. We in our ecstasy were roaming around in the streets of Madina. In the same gathering Balley Sahib also recited his Naat. Balley Sahib’s Naat was so meaningful and devoted that HafeezTaib was again and again reciting Naat of Balley Sahib. He was so deeply involved in the words that his lips started trembling. That piece of Naat still resounds in my mind. The lines are:-
Out of fear I can’t call him (pbuh) god
But unfortunately I don’t find alternative word
During fifties decade there was a newspaper named Noroze published from Karachi. Balley Sahib was Joint Editor of this newspaper.Balley Sahib wrote a very pinching article for the newspaper. Let me tell you that Balley Sahib was a diehard Pakistani. Love for Muslim League was inherited by Balley Sahib. We could feel ideology of Pakistan reflecting from each and every word of his literary work. However he never supported wrong policies of Muslim League leadership. Balley Sahib often used to say that Muslim League was damaged by Muslim leaguees. Balley Sahib had been joint secretary of Muslim Students Federation in Aligarh. The article cited above was written against Makhdoom Hassan Mehmood, with complete support for Muslim League. Mukhdoom Hassan MehmoodaskedRaeesAmrohvi where he could find this writer. RaeesAmrohvi told Makhdoom Sahib that the same writer was coming to his home so he could also come and meet him. Makhdoom Hassan Mehmood told Balley Sahib that his article was so incisive that it forced him to rethink about himself. Your critical way of writing has gripped me, Makhdoom Sahib told Balley Sahib. RaeesAmrohvi told Makhdoom Sahib that Balley Sahib was a man of letter. He was very very creative individual. This story was personally told to me by RaeesAmrohvi Sahib.
No one knew when JaganNath Azad came to Pakistan. For one day he stayed at Balley Sahib’s house. Actually JaganNath wanted to have very intimate sitting. DrAjmalNiazi was also asked to join. I was also present there. Several literary topics were debated at large. We were so deeply engrossed in our conversation that no one realized what all we had had been talking about. JaganNath Azad remarked that people in Lahore would come to know about my presence tomorrow. JaganNath Azad admitted that Balley sahib’s work had made him his biggest fan. His vision was broader than human imaginations. I salute his vision. It was nearly impossible to get out of the spell of his work. No doubt JaganNath Azad was a great fan of Balley Sahib. During our sitting we discussed several aspects of Urdu literature. Honestly speaking I learnt a lot in that gathering.
Dr.FoqKareemi came to Pakistan from India. He was Balley Sahib’s class fellow in Aligarh University. He also refreshed a lot of memories and recalled past stories. For years there used to be gatherings of literary society “QafilaParaou” at Balley Sahib’s house. I also had been attending those gatherings. It used to be a great opportunity to meet great literary figures. We hardly find such gathering these days. It was there that I met Dr.FauqKareemi. DrFauq conveyed greetings of several literary figures from India to Balley Sahib. He told that Dr.QamarRaees passionately missed Balley Sahib. QamarRaees confessed that he owed a lot to Balley Sahib, which he would never be able to return. Dr.FoqKareemi very secretly told that QamarRaees was writing some research article on Balley Sahib.
Annemarie Schimmel a famous German Orientalist had been corresponding with Balley Sahib. Balley Sahib once showed me some of her letters written to him. She was a great admirer of Balley Sahib’s knowledge and wisdom. Syed QasimMehmood had complaint against Balley Sahib that despite several reminders Balley Sahib did not send his credentials for the Encyclopedia Pakistanica compiled by him.
MansoorAqil and Syed FakhruddinBalley Sahib had a lot in common. Both were very loving and down to earth personalities. Both of them had served in Information Department. Both of them showed their skills in the field of journalism as well. They had vast circle of friends. I was proud to have contacts with both of them. I am proud of my connections with them. Memories associated with them are my greatest asset. I wish would that time be reversed and I get yet another opportunity to spend time with Balley Sahib and MansoorAqil. How should I convince my heart and mind that time and tide doesn’t come back.
Me and Balley Sahib had a lot of memories associated with Bahawalpur. Late Hayat Meerathi convinced MajidQureshi MA to write “Dabistan-e-Bahawalpur”. This book is to date reckoned as the best book on the history of Bahawalpur. This book contains two separate articles on Balley Sahib and ManssorAqil. Both were shining stars on the literary horizon of Bahawalpur. Both have been mentioned in the book with love and revere. This book refreshes a lot of memories of several literary figures. ShahabDehlvi, Ali Ahmed Rafat, ZahoorNazar, AllamaRehmatullahArshad, MajeedTamana, SohailAkhtar, AdeebWasqi, TabishAlwori, MansoorAqil and Bulley Sahib are the few to be named. These literary stars arranged innumerable gatherings. There used to be very useful discussions in those gatherings. During those days gatherings of Poets (Mehfil-e-Mushaira) were very common. In the early part of fifties Balley sahib recited a memorable ghazal in one of such gatherings. I still remember punch lines of that ghazal.
Drunkard booze continuously,
He is not encompassed by time and tide to drink
Most of Balley sahib’s time was spent in Multan. KashfiulAsadi, Hakeem Abdul MajeedRahi, Kaif Ansari, DrArshSiddiqui, Dr A.B Ashraf, Dr.Aslam Ansari, Masood Asher, Shams Malak, Dr.BaidalHaidery, Syed Sultan Ahmed and SardarRasheedQaisrani were great fans of Balley Sahib. Dr.KhiyalAmrohvi on his return from Iran visited Balley Sahib. The conversation opened up in Persian language. Balley Sahib had command on Persian language. Dr.KhiyalAmrohvi was surprised by Balley Sahib’s skill in Advance Persian language. He remarked, “Balley Sahib! Living in Pakistan and having such command on Persian; isn’t it amazing”. While talking in Persian I couldn’t realize whether I was in Pakistan or Iran. Where did you learn modern Persian?” Balley Sahib smiled and replied, “I am a humble student of literature. What so ever I am it is the blessing of my teachers”. The humble answer of Balley Sahib brought his inner self out. In one of his poem he writes:-
A tree laden with fruit
And its bent branches
Is a symbol of humility
SehbaAkhtar is one of my favorite poets. Very few poets enjoy command on language as he did. He had flow of thoughts; his flight of imagination was unlimited. He was a great poet of poem (Nazam). In one of the literary gathering both Balley sahib and SehbaAkhtar were present. Balley Sahib recited apoem titled, “Baran-e-Karam”. This poem was inspired by snowy winters of Quetta. Literary allegories were abundantly used in this poem. His description of Quetta winter was such that FiraqGorakhpuri’s words flashed in my mind. He once said,”As painter paints on his canvas with colors Balley Sahib knows the art of drawing pictures with words”. FiraqGorakhpuri must have heard such poem that compelled him to make such remarks about Balley Sahib. SehbaAkhter appreciated Balley Sahib’s poem a lot. Joan Alia requested Balley Sahib to recite his poem again and again. I was so excited as if the Poem Baran-e-Karam was written by me.
Syed FakhruddinBalley Sahib was not an individual; he was an institution and a galaxy on the horizon of literature. He loved and was loved by people. The grooming he received in Aligarh always reflected in his personality. TufailHoshiarpuri remarked that
Balley Sahib was an introverted person. Despite all his efforts he could not stop the light glowing within himself. No one can deny his presence. He still lives amongst us. His name, his work will live forever. He always revered his juniors as he revered his seniors. Some of his poetic lines coming to my mind are:-
I am carrying my head on the lancer of my body
Earth has shrunk for me as it was shrunk in Karbala
(I am leading a painful life)
To kill myself, my friend
I have snakes up my sleeves
I will not let myself be transposed
I will not express my thoughts in words
The agony I am passing through my soul
I will not let you know as a revenge
Here I will make mention of some magazines and journals published by Balley Sahib as editor. All these magazines were of various hue and colour. These magazines and journals are vivid testimony of Balley Sahib’s multi facet personality and his caliber. Just like literary journey his journalistic voyage also started from Aligarh. He was pioneer editor of magazine “Jhalak”. During this stint he manifested his abundant talent. He held various positions of Pioneer chief editor/chief editor and editor. He was editor fortnightly journal “The union Aligarh”, Pioneer editor of monthly magazine “Jhalak”, joint editor daily “Nauroz Karachi”, joint editor “Bahawalpur Review”, editor monthly “Lahore Affairs”, editor weekly “Istaqlal Lahore”, editor monthly “West Pakistan Lahore”, pioneer chief editor monthly “Falah” Lahore, pioneer chief editor monthly “Auqaf” Islamabad, pioneer chief editor monthly “Hum Watan” Islamabad, pioneer chief editor monthly “Yaran-e-Watan” Islamabad, pioneer chief editor weekly “Jaras” Lahore, pioneer chief editor fortnightly “Muslim League News” Lahore, pioneer chief editor monthly “Nawa-e-Baldiyat” Lahore, pioneer chief editor monthly “Hamara Multan”.
سیدفخرالدین بلے۔ایک آدرش۔ایک انجمن
Syed FakhruddinBalley.An institution in itself.
Written By : Jamil-ud-Din Aali
Translated By: Maj. (R) David Emmanuel.
Published in Daily JUNG.
BALLEY BALLEY. A Towering Personality
1. Syed FakhruddinBalley- AUniversity in himself:
Syed FakhruddinBalley is a name of a notable author, poet, thinker, creator, observer, speaker ,scholar, compiler, an expert of public relations, promoter of arts and culture.Dr.Aasikarnali writes “ He was an institution and an university in himself
2. Syed Fakhruddin Balley- A versatile writer:
Syed FakhruddinBalley’s literary treatises were not limited to history, culture, civilization and tourism but dealt extensively with spirituality. His expositions also shed light on the contributions made by great saints in uplifting the lives of common humanity. His girt on English, Urdu and Persian is evident form the fact that during his lifetime he producedand compiled more than 150 publications on different subjects.Baba-e-Urdu Maulvi Abdul-Haq said, “It is extremely difficult to point out even a single mistake from weather it is a poem or literary write- ups of Syed FakhruddinBalley”.A renowned poet of Indo–Pak Mr.FiraqGorakhpuri admitted that “ Syed Fakhruddin Balley knew the art of making pictures by words rather than by colors .”
A giant literary figure of urdu literature Hazrat Josh Malihabadi says
“There is excess of emotions and fluency of rives in the poetry of Syed FakhruddinBalley .The vast study of history,literature and mysticism specially Islamic Sufism can be seen speaking and opening doors of thoughts in the poetry of Syed Fakhruddin Balley.”
3. Syed Fakhruddin Balley. An Editorial Genius:
Syed FakruddinBalley’s literary career spans over half a century. He founded and edited eighteen magazines and journals all of which were different in content and matter. His literary accomplishments clearly demonstrate the vastness and depth of his knowledge.
4. Syed Fakhruddin Balley – A Unique Innovator after seven hundred years:
Syed FakhruddinBalley also worked in genre of QAWALI and improved this oriental tradition by introducing new avenues in it. Seven hundred years ago Amir Khusro wrote QOL TARANA and created RANG. QOL is presented in the beginning of the QAWALI whereas RANG QAWALI is sung at the end. Seven centuries after Amir Khusro, Mr. Balley staying at Multan introduced a new QOL TARANA and RANG. The tunes of these musical expositions were composed by Radio Pakistan’s Senior Producer Muhammad Ghazi under the supervision of Station Director Hamid Asghar. GhizaliZamanRazi Doran Allama Ahmed SaeedKazmi have called Mr. Balley’sQOL TARANA “an apex of the work which KhawajaNizamuddinAulia trusted to Amir Khusro. Praising innovative work of Mr. Balley, Dr. Aslam Ansari said that after seven hundred years Mr. Balley’sRANG is a unique contribution to the musical genre of QAWALI.
5. Syed Fakhruddin Balley – A Diligent Researcher:
Mr. FakhruddinBalley has made startling discoveries in the field of research. He uncovered the fact that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s forefathers lived at WAJWAR which is situated near Multan. In this regard, even the founder of Pakistan was Multani. Historians welcomed this discovery and dubbed it as an important landmark in the field of historical research. He also claimed that Multan is the birthplace of Urdu.
6. Syed Fakhruddin Balley – A Flag Bearer of QAFLA:
To promote arts, craft andliterature,Syed FakhruddinBalley founded anorganization consisting of leading contemporary artists, poets, authors and thinkers. This organization was christened as QAFLA which means “a convoy”. This convoy of literary stellar was initially based in Lahore but as Mr. Balley shifted to Multan, the convoy moved with him there. Later, on the behest of Mr. Balley, Syed Tabish Alwari is now leading the QAFLA which is now residing at Bahawalpur with Mr. Alwari. As Director Multan Arts Council, Syed Fakhruddin Balley organized a 25 days performing extravaganza in which everyday a new team of artists performed new plays with new stories. No such event has ever taken place in South Asia and that was a unique event even on the global level.As an acknowledgement of his these services ,he was awarded the title of “Mohsin-e-Fun”and“Man of the Stage” by art & cultural societies .
7. Syed Fakhruddin Balley – A Founder of MOEEN Academy:
Syed FakhruddinBalley founded MOEEN Academy which published literary works of many notable literati. MOEEN Academy has played an important role in the promotion of literature and this credit also falls into the lap of Mr. FakhruddinBalley.
8. Syed FakhruddinBalley – An Expert on Mysticism:
Syed FakhruddinBalley made important headways in the field ofmysticism.Because of his accomplishments, famous orientalists like Annemarie Schimmel,Ashfaq Ahmed, Professor HasamuddinRashdi and Dr. Wazir Agha declared Mr. Balley an important authority on mysticism.
9. Syed Fakhruddin Balley – An Author of Excellence:
Apart from poetry, Syed Fakhruddin Balley also demonstrated excellence in the field of writing and oratory. His contemporary writers pointed towards the authenticity, elegance and firmness which were the unique attributes of his writing style.
10. Syed Fakhruddin Balley – A Master of Literature and Iqbaliat
Mr. Fakhruddin Balley attended Aligarh University which initiated the renaissance of Muslims in India. In Aligarh he did MSc in Geology. Even during his student days, he possessed such a firm grasp over literature and Iqbaliat that he had lengthy discussions with his teachers on literary topics, some of which continued for hours. He possessed an extensive knowledge of Iqbal and among his friends it was believed that if Mr. Balley is unaware of a claimed stanza of Iqbal, then the stanza cannot belong to Iqbal.
11. Syed Fakhruddin Balley – An Attractive Personality
Wherever Syed Fakhruddin Balley lived, he transformed the literary community of that area into a family. His personality had such an attraction that whoever had met him for the first time became his ardent follower.
11. Syed Fakhruddin Balley – An Expert in Public Relations
Syed Fakhruddin Balley was associated with the field of public relations. His seniors were of this view that they have learned a lot from Mr. Balley because he is an institution in himself and really a face of public relations of government of Punjab.
12. Syed Fakhruddin Balley – A Witness of Power Politics
Syed Fakhruddin Balley witnessed political eras ranging from KhawajaNizamuddin to Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. Because of his proximity to the corridors of power, he observed the political happenings taking place in Pakistan during last six decades. He penned down untold stories which were meant to lift the veil shrouding the levers of power. Unfortunately this historical treasure trove was lost to a theft and despite of many appeals by eminent literati, the manuscript was never found again.
13. Balley – An Undiscovered Geologist
Syed Fakhruddin Balley also possessed expertise in the field of Geology which enabled him to make important geological discoveries. But can any geologist of today discover the reservoirs of knowledge buried in him? Will the world benefit from the treasures hidden in him? This is an unanswered question and only time can answer it.
14. S.F.Balley. An author on Islam and Performing Arts
Syed FakhruddinBalley has also written a book on the personality, character and contribution of WilayatPanahHazrat Ali (RA). Apart from this, another manuscript titled “Performing Arts and Islam” is accomplished by him. In this work he has discussed the sanctity of arts and literature in the light of Islamic teachings. This study reflects the depth of his knowledge of Islam.
BALLEY BALLEY. SYED FAKHRUDDIN BALLEY .A Towering Personality
(written by :Masood Malik)
