Dr. Syeda Saiyidain Hameed, Chairperson
Dr. Syeda Hameed is a cultural, social and women's rights activist, educationist, writer and a former Member of the Planning Commission of India.
Sukhpreet Kahlon, Secretary
Sukhpreet Kahlon is a film scholar, film programmer and curator. She has taught English Literature in Delhi University for several years and writes on Indian cinema.
In completing 10 years of its inception, the Khwaja Ahmed Abbas Trust accomplishes a key milestone. As we look back on the work on our work, through the cultural events, publications, seminars, exhibitions, and film screenings, contemplating the journey that lies ahead, I am reminded of the film Jagte Raho (1956). Written by Abbas, directed by Amit Maitra and Sombhu Mitra and produced by Raj Kapoor, the film depicts the journey of a man desperately in search of water. As we are taken through the locked gates of apartment complexes, which seal in the prejudices, fears and insecurities of the city dwellers, we start to question who needs to be awakened and for what.
Abbas Sahab’s films have been seen as having a relevance well beyond their time. As a progressive writer, journalist and filmmaker, his engagement with socio-political issues along with his humanist ideals, were reflected in all of his works. With universal themes that resonate with audiences even decades later, Abbas's films were his vehicle for social reform. In today’s world beseiged by long raging wars between nations, the migrant crisis, climate crisis, and a constant struggle for freedom and civic liberties, his oeuvre continues to urge us to remain awake and aware of our society, its ills and prejudices, perhaps now more than ever. After all, ‘Zindagi Khwaab Hai’, and we have to work continuously to fashion the dream into reality.
Raza Mehdi, Treasurer
Raza Mehdi is an Engineer by profession. By passion, He specialises in many genres of literature. He supports the literary-cultural work of the Trust.
Dr. S. Farooq, Member
Dr. S. Farooq is the President of The Himalaya Drug Company. He is well-known for his research work, philanthropy, oratory and for his multifaceted personality.
I am with KAAMT since very long. KAAMT is entering its 11th year. KAAMT is going good for people at large. Aapa, you are the backbone of KAAMT. I wish your good health and happiness. Success and growth to KAAMT too.
My association with the Trust dates to its inception. I am delighted to witness its growth over the last 11 years as it continues to keep Abbas Sahab’s legacy alive and at the same time contribute to the fields of literature, theatre, and cinema in a profound way. When I think of Abbas Sahab, I recollect Suroor Barabankvi’s lines,
“jin se mil kar zindagi se ishq ho jaye, woh log,
aapne shāyad na dekhe ho magar aise bhi hain”
Anil Mishra Member
Anil Mishra is a writer and former Associate Professor of Political Science from PGDAV College, University of Delhi. He specialises in many genres of literature. He supports the literary- cultural work of the Trust.
Having read Abbas’s Last Page in my youth, and watching his films especially like ‘Do Boond Pani’ and ‘Sher aur Sapna’ have shaped my outlook and instilled in me an urge for critical thinking. Abbas’ creed was, my creed and that is why KAAMT became a ‘manzil’ for me.
Malikzaada Manzoor Ahmad’s couplet resonates when I think of Abbas Sahab,
“Ajeeb dard ka Rishta hai saari duniya mein
Kahin ho jalta makaan, apna ghar lage mujhko”
Humaira Rehan Rahman Member
Humaira Rehan Rahman worked in the retail industry for over 3 decades and is currently supporting the cultural outreach and organisational work of the Trust.
Mahmood Farooqui Member
Mahmood Farooqui known for reviving Dastangoi. He has won the Ramnath Goenka Award and the Ustad Bismillah Khan Award. Farooqui has authored two books on Dastangoi and has trained many in the art.
I am delighted that the Khawaja Ahmad Abbas Trust is entering its 11th year. It has done wonderful human service in the fields of arts, literature, culture, and political commitment which is the hallmark of K.A. Abbas’ career. I feel very privileged that I am associated with the Trust in the name of a personality who was a formative influence on our cinema and literature and somebody who straddled the worlds of journalism, fiction, and non-fiction and who was experimental; things that I have tried to elevate in my own career; ‘Dastangoi’. We know how influential K.A Abbas was in giving our cinema a new direction in the 1940’s and then the experiments we did with his films thereafter. There are many films that he made. He was the pioneer of what we call art cinema and then he also successfully and at the same time wrote, produced and contributed to commercial cinema and alongside he continued his journalism and was a legend there. These are exactly the things that I would like to do in my career. ‘Dastangoi’ is a way to take academic knowledge and scholarship to a popular audience in ways for me it is also a way of directly engaging with the audience. In our cinema the work that we do, we try and show the same political commitment that Abbas sahab had. In journalism also I try to raise questions and issues that were dear to abbas sahab. I am happy to be associated with the him and I hope the Trust prospers.
Over the years, the Trust, has contributed to the fields of arts, literature, culture, with an emphasis political commitment which is the hallmark of K.A. Abbas’ career. I feel very privileged that I am associated with it in the name of a personality who had a formative influence on our cinema, literature and somebody who straddled the worlds of journalism, fiction, and non-fiction and who was experimental; facets that I have tried to emulate in my own career; ‘Dastangoi’. We know how influential Abbas was in giving our cinema a new direction in the 1940’s and then the experiments he did with his films thereafter. He was the pioneer of what we call ‘art cinema’ or ‘neo-socialism’ along with successfully writing, producing commercial cinema. Apart from being a filmmaker he continued his journalism and was a legend there. These are exactly the things that I would like to do in my career. ‘Dastangoi’ is a way to take academic knowledge and scholarship to a popular audience as a way to directly engage with them. In our cinema the work that we do, we try and show the same political commitment that Abbas Sahab had.
Meera Rizvi Member
Meera Rizvi is a chemical engineer turned content producer turned dastango. She has been associated with shows like Kaun Banega Crorepati and Galli Galli SimSim.
I am delighted and honoured to be a part of the Khawaja Ahmad Abbas Trust celebrating its 11th year. Growing up I had always heard of Abbas’ ethos which became a trope in all of his work; the presence of Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Christian characters all deeply involved and engaged with each other. The post-partition heroic attempt to bring together a deeply fractured country into a unified nation. In many ways, these sensibilities have shaped and influenced my own work in ‘Dastangoi’ and television. In fact, one of our very popular ‘Dastan’- ‘Dastan-e-Raj Kapoor’ discusses K.A.Abbas and Raj Kapoor’s friendship and their creative partnership. Now, more than ever we need the glue of Abbas’ compassionate gaze and commitment to the ethos of secularism and socialism.