Reference: Musadiq Sanwal remembered at National College of Arts

‘It was Sanwal who helped me appreciate music’, said Sabir Nazar.

LAHORE: The life of Musadiq Sanwal - journalist, singer and writer - was relived through anecdotes, songs, tears and laughter at a commemorative reference held at the National College of Arts on Sunday.

Former classmates, teachers, colleagues and friends recalled his mischievous smile, the soul in his voice, the warmth of his friendship and many facets of his personality. The Shakir Ali Auditorium echoed with Sanwal’s voice as his songs were played during the two-hour event. Former classmates, including Nadeem Malik, called in through Skype. “He was a committed friend and a vibrant personality…I will always regret that I did not meet him sooner”, said Malik. Malik recounted Sanwal’s activism during his days at the NCA, which cost him an eye. Journalist Hassan Mujtaba read poems dedicated to Sanwal.

“It is absolute injustice that I stand speaking about Musadiq today and he has left us. It would have been fairer had it been he standing here, speaking about me”, said Salima Hashmi, educationist and Sanwal’s teacher at the NCA. An emotional Hashmi narrated anecdotes from a trip to India where she chaperoned students including Sanwal. “I will always remember the mischievous smile in his eyes…how wonderful it would have been if he were still with us today”, she added. The auditorium fell silent as Sanwal’s poem, Naheen Koi Darr, Koi Ghum Naheen, which was written after he had been diagnosed with cancer, was recited.

Sanwal’s former roommate, cartoonist Sabir Nazar related stories of their time together at the NCA. “It was Sanwal who helped me appreciate music and understand the little I know”, he said.

Former NCA principal Nazish Ataullah commended Sanwal’s life as a journalist. She recalled that he had worked with Sanwal at the BBC and at Dawn. “Today I feel proud that this institution has produced people who have excelled in various fields of life, including Musadiq Sanwal”, she said.

The auditorium broke into laughter as Ataullah and Hashmi narrated incidents from their trip to India when Sanwal was a student at the NCA.

NCA Principal Murtaza Jafri, Sanwal’s former classmate and friend, remembered their days of student activism and stories of mischief during their time at college. Journalist and friend Tahir Mehdi talked about Sanwal’s last days and his struggles.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10^th, 2014.