Why does this author of 12 books in Faisalabad drive a Qingqi?
Despite having three reprints of 11 of his novels sold out, this Faisalabad man has to drive a Qingqi to pay his rent
Fayyaz Mahi, who has penned 12 novels and drives a Qingqi. PHOTO: FAISALABAD SUJAG
Qingqi's are neigh ubiquitous in the industrial city of Faisalabad. While the incumbent government had once famously peddled the four-wheeled cousin of these mini-cabs in a bid to solve rampant unemployment, but it is the three-wheeler contraption which has managed to provide thousands with a means to earn. Among them is a man who has used the income to support a unique passion - literature.
Fayyaz Mahi, not only innovated to supplement his income by transporting garments in his Qingqi to the businessmen in the city’s markets, he also tries use the supplemented income to fuel a passion: writing novels.
A prolific writer, Mahi now has 12 books to his credit and more than 100 plays.
Read: Poetic cobbler: Faisalabad man attracts customers using prose
But it is no wanton desire to see his name published. Of Mahi’s books, 11 have seen three editions being printed, each one of them sold out almost immediately.
Despite the fame and success, Mahi still lives in a small rented one-room house – right next to the relative mansion of State Minister for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali.
Mahi explains that he was born in a poor family which did not have the Rs40 to pay his matriculation fee. But neither an incomplete basic education nor poverty could keep him from sating his hunger for books.
“When I left studying, I started selling things on a push-cart. I liked reading books like anything and I always tried saving money to buy books. Finally, I was able to build a literary corner in my home where I could sit and pen the realities of life,” Mahi recounts.
His first novel “Ghungroo aur Kashkool” (The rattling anklet and the begging bowl) was published in 2005 in which he focused on courtesans and the inapt behavior they have to suffer.
Read: Writers’ House: Writing is not a luxury, says short story writer
The first novel provided him the spur he needed, and he went on to publish 11 more books. His 13th novel “Gustakh Akhiyaan” (Disobedient eyes) is expected later this year.
But why does such a prolific writer have to drive a Qingqi?
Mahi explains that the rickshaw helps put the food on the table for his four daughters and pay the Rs6,000 rent for their small one-room home.
“I don’t earn by writing books. This business is lucrative only for the publishers. And just who reads books now? Not many people. I am only given Rs25,000 for a book while the publishers earns millions.”
He says that a lot of people get surprised when they discover that he, a Qingqi driver, has penned 12 books.
“Who can explain it to them that the bread my daughters eat is bought by Rs450 a day I earn by driving this rickshaw.”
Mahi adds that while he was a close friend of Abid Sher Ali, but the minister never helped him. “I and Abid used to play cricket together. When Abid made a name in politics, I requested him many times to help me get a job, but he always ignored my pleas.”
Talking about his books, Mahi says that “Ain Sheen Qaaf” is his favourite. The book has sold around 3,300 copies, which Mahi considers as a significant achievement.
The article originally appeared in Faisalabad Sujag
Fayyaz Mahi, not only innovated to supplement his income by transporting garments in his Qingqi to the businessmen in the city’s markets, he also tries use the supplemented income to fuel a passion: writing novels.
A prolific writer, Mahi now has 12 books to his credit and more than 100 plays.
Read: Poetic cobbler: Faisalabad man attracts customers using prose
But it is no wanton desire to see his name published. Of Mahi’s books, 11 have seen three editions being printed, each one of them sold out almost immediately.
Despite the fame and success, Mahi still lives in a small rented one-room house – right next to the relative mansion of State Minister for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali.
Mahi explains that he was born in a poor family which did not have the Rs40 to pay his matriculation fee. But neither an incomplete basic education nor poverty could keep him from sating his hunger for books.
“When I left studying, I started selling things on a push-cart. I liked reading books like anything and I always tried saving money to buy books. Finally, I was able to build a literary corner in my home where I could sit and pen the realities of life,” Mahi recounts.
His first novel “Ghungroo aur Kashkool” (The rattling anklet and the begging bowl) was published in 2005 in which he focused on courtesans and the inapt behavior they have to suffer.
Read: Writers’ House: Writing is not a luxury, says short story writer
The first novel provided him the spur he needed, and he went on to publish 11 more books. His 13th novel “Gustakh Akhiyaan” (Disobedient eyes) is expected later this year.
But why does such a prolific writer have to drive a Qingqi?
Mahi explains that the rickshaw helps put the food on the table for his four daughters and pay the Rs6,000 rent for their small one-room home.
“I don’t earn by writing books. This business is lucrative only for the publishers. And just who reads books now? Not many people. I am only given Rs25,000 for a book while the publishers earns millions.”
He says that a lot of people get surprised when they discover that he, a Qingqi driver, has penned 12 books.
“Who can explain it to them that the bread my daughters eat is bought by Rs450 a day I earn by driving this rickshaw.”
Mahi adds that while he was a close friend of Abid Sher Ali, but the minister never helped him. “I and Abid used to play cricket together. When Abid made a name in politics, I requested him many times to help me get a job, but he always ignored my pleas.”
Talking about his books, Mahi says that “Ain Sheen Qaaf” is his favourite. The book has sold around 3,300 copies, which Mahi considers as a significant achievement.
The article originally appeared in Faisalabad Sujag