Urdu Academy pays tribute to Rukhsana Noor
By Abdus Sattar Ghazali
The February 2017 literary program of the Urdu Academy of North America was dedicated to the life and work of a distinguished Urdu poetess, writer, film script writer and song writer, Rukhsana Noor who passed away in Lahore on January 12, 2017 after a long illness. She was 58 years of age.
The event, held at the Chandni Restaurant, Newark, CA on February 19, 2017, was attended by Rukhsana Noor’s two daughters, Noor Ul Ain Noor and Qurat Al Ain Noor as well as her niece Nazish Khan and her son-in-law Umer Mukhtaar.
The program began with dua (prayer) for the departed soul. Hatem Rani performed the dua in his unique style which touched the audience.
Professor Farooq Ahemd presided over the event. Diaspora Urdu poet, Arshad Rashid, was the MC of the first session of the literary event. He presented a well research maqala on the life and work of Rukhsana Noor who was the wife of renowned Pakistani film director, producer and script-writer Syed Noor.
After doing the Masters in Mass Communications from University of the Punjab, Rukhsana began her journalistic career by joining daily Jang as feature writer in 1980. Then her name was Rukhsana Arzoo, She later was named Rukhsana Noor after being marries to Syed Noor in 1984.
She wrote stories for various hit feature films, including the super-hit Punjabi movie “Choorian”. She also penned down lyrics for films and compiled the collection of her film songs titled “Aa Pyar Dil Mein Jaga”. She also published her poetry in book form named “Ilham”.
Rukhsana also served as teacher in the Punjab University besides opening a film production house in Lahore. She received various awards for her contribution to films and literature.
She was diagnosed with cancer first in 2006 but was completely healed by the end of the same year.
Later on when she was visiting US in 2015 and felt sick then she found it out here that the cancer has come back again. She went back to Pakistan for treatment. She left behind three daughters and a son beside Syed Noor to mourn her death.
A number of Urdu enthusiasts recited poetry of Rukhsana: Hatem Rani, Dr. Ghazala Ansari, Khalid Rana, Moiz Khan, Mukesh Kacker, Tasadduq Husain Attari, Zafar Khan Yususzai and Zeeshan Abbasi.
The second session of the literary event was conducted by Tashie Zaheer, President of the Urdu Academy of North America. The second session was mainly devoted to the singing of Rukhsana Noor’s poetry.
Nigah Gupta was first to sing her ghazal: Khwab Ko Paani Bana-ke Lay Gaya Hai Kiya KarooN + Wo Meree NeeNdeN Ura Ke Lay Gaya Hai Kiya KarooN.
She was followed by Muneeba Zeeshan who thrilled the audience with her presentation of Rukhsana’s Punjabi song.
Nagesh Avadhany is a permanent distinguished classical singer of the Urdu Academy. Nagesh captivated the audience with his presentation of two ghazals of Rukhsana Noor.
Tashie Zaheer also elated the audience with his presentation of Rukhsana’s ghazal.
At the end Tashie Zaheer thanked all the participants and audience to make the program successful. He also thanked entrepreneur Syed Sarwat for patronizing the Urdu in the Bay Area.
See more pictures See YouTube videos Read Rukhsana’s poetry
