Tahir Apridi

Tahir Afridi the sheltering tree of Pashto literature

By: Farooq Sarwar

 I will never forget those days, when I would go to Karachi and sit in the coach, how happy I would be. Throughout this journey, the lovely faces of Tahir Afridi, Rehman Boneri, Makham Khattak and  Muhib Wazir were constantly in my imagination.  Then when I would reach Karachi, how lovingly all this people would meet and Then, as long as I stayed in Karachi, how happy that we would be every day.

 Tahir Afridi was the top figure of Pashto literature in Karachi even then, and his rule is still there today. Later, the center of all of us became the office of Rehman Buneri's newspaper, Tahir Sahib used to visit there too.  The first center was the office of Mr. Tahir Afridi, which was located on the top floor of a business market in Karachi. I used to go there almost daily without any hesitation. Mr. Tahir Afridi was very hospitable and still is. He usually asked for lunch.  Then in his office, I would sit with Rehman Buneri, Makham Khattak and Muhib Wazir and with Tahir Sahib we have a literary discussion.

 Today, the most prominent figure in Pashto fiction is Tahir Afridi. Tahir Sahib also used to write Urdu fiction.  Therefore, along with Pashto fiction; we would also discuss Urdu fiction with him. The discussions of  Tahir Sahib's were very beautiful and in this way me and my other colleagues Rehman Buneri, Makham Khattak and Muhib Wazir have a good time.  I really enjoyed the conversation, and it lasted a long time in the afternoon.

 Tahir Sahib's literary magazine Jaras would have been the top Pashto magazine of that time. He would have published my fiction in every issue without any break.  

 There were also critical meetings of Jaras, where I was introduced to Riaz Tasneem, Aman Afridi and dear and lovely Noor Ul Islam Sangar. These literary meetings were normally took place in a tea shop or a beautiful park in Karachi full of lush trees, flowers, and birds.  Poetry mushahiras were necessary on these occasions with a very beautiful conversation as well.

 Even in those days, Tahir Afridi ruled our minds. Even today, he is our king. I will discuss many of his books in the coming future. Then Tahir Afridi initiated his visits to Quetta. He also went with us to Loralai and Peshawar.  I also stayed with him in big conferences.

Since he is a great Pashto fiction writer and a sheltering tree, he was given priority and importance in every city, in every literary function. My friends, and I spent a lot of time with him and really it was wonderful and memorable.

 About Tahir Afridi, I can write books.  But he is a diamond. He is highly respected in Pashto literature and as well in literary circles. Nowadays he is confined to his home. We pray that this magnificent canopy and sheltering tree of Pashto literature will always remain and may Allah bless him with long life, and give him the good health as well. Ameen

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