Muzaffar Ali discusses his memoir, interacts with students at AMU
Aligarh : The second day of the panel discussion on celebrated filmmaker Muzaffar Ali’s memoir Zikr: In the Light and Shade of Time (Penguin, 2022), held at the Kennedy Auditorium, Aligarh Muslim University was equally enriching for the attendees.
Mr. Ali interacted with the students informally and took a range of questions on film writing, career and future choices for the students, his films, his family, Lucknow, Aligarh, title of the book and Muslim identity etc.
One of the panelists, Prof Mohammad Asim Siddiqui, Chairman, Department of English asked him if he was aware that he was making a masterpiece when he was making Umrao Jaan (1981). He shared those moments, adding that his father Syed Sajid Husain Ali did a lot of research on Umrao Jaan during the making of the film, which helped adding authenticity to the screenplay.
Prof Asim Siddiqui mentioned sartorial history in the book, an aspect of micro history. He also urged the students to read the book Zikr and learn the art of writing and how to express beautifully.
Muzaffar Ali also talked about his admiration for Satyajit Ray, and how he learnt a lot from people everywhere, especially from Ray.
Art and Culture Curator Ms Ambreen Khan was the other discussant in the panel.
Presiding over the programme, Prof Shafey Kidwai remarked that the memoir of Muzaffar Ali is extraordinary in the sense that it’s written dispassionately, without a trace of self-love which makes this autobiography exceptional and a must read for art and culture lovers.
In a special intervention, Prof Mohammad Sajjad (Department of History, AMU) talked about Ali’s apt observation on Khilafat movement in the book. He talked about Buddhist associations of Imli tree which is used in the title of the chapter on Aligarh in the memoir.
Earlier, Dr. Sadaf Fareed, President, University Debating and Literary Club welcomed the guests and introduced the theme of the programme.
Opening remarks were given by Ms Nabiha Omar, Member, University Debating and Literary Club, while Shamshuddoha, Member, University Debating and Literary Club proposed a vote of thanks.
On the occasion, the students bought copies of the book signed by Muzaffar Ali.
The panel discussion was followed by the staging of the play Zabaan Daraaz by the University Drama Club. The play is written by Prof F. S. Sherani, Coordinator, Cultural Education Centre, AMU.
Students and faculty members were present in large numbers on the occasion.