She has been writing for more than forty years now, and has three books and numerous essays and reviews published to her credit. She is a critic, and yet never unjustly critical. Her critiques, spanning over four decades now, have been held in high esteem, in the literary circles of India, Pakistan, UK and Kuwait. She is a renowned writer—with both, poetic compositions and critiques being her forte. Mrs Maimuna Ali Chougle, a member of the Writers’ Forum Kuwait and its former President-- has lived an era, in making precious contributions to the Literature in Urdu.
The Writers’ Forum, Kuwait (WFK) decided to spend the evening of Friday, the 24th of February 2017, with Mrs Maimuna Ali Chougle. It has been a one-of-its-kind tradition of the WFK to regularly organise such evenings dedicated to the stalwart-members. At the residence of the Hindi poet Aamir Diwan, the meeting was presided over by noted Urdu poet Afroz Alam, while the President of Kokan Welfare Society in Kuwait –Salim Desai was the Chief Guest for the evening.
Maimuna Ali Chougle is a personality with multiple facets. Her writings are poetic as well as in prose and on individuals and on their literary compositions. Her essays are critiques as well as eulogies. She has three Books published till date, along with a large number of articles and critiques in various publications. A number of magazines have released special editions on her, while her Nazms have been broadcasted on British radio and she herself interviewed on a British TV channel. Quite well-known in the literary circles of India and Kuwait, she has been associated with the Writers’ Forum for more than 20 years now. She was also its first Woman President, during 2009-2011. Very amiable and soft-spoken, she has the charming ability to work harmoniously in a Team. The entire WFK team thus gathered to not just highlight her literary achievements but also to hail her as a person.
Steered by Sabir Omer Galsulkar- an Urdu poet, the evening commenced with a brief introduction and a note of welcome extended by him. The dignitaries—Afroz Alam, Salim Desai, and the President of WFK Umesh Sharma then presented a memento and a floral bouquet to Maimuna Ali Chougle, in appreciation of the support extended by her to the WFK. Dr Navniit Gandhi then led the members on to a trip down the memory lane, with the person that Maimuna Ali Chougle is… and her life, till date. She briefly narrated her beginnings in Mumbai, her initial experiences in Kuwait, her literary leanings, and the milestones in her journey so far.
Other members of WFK who presented their articles on Maimuna Chougle and her writings, included Sunil Sonsi who had served the WFK as the General Secretary during her stint as the President of the Forum, Dr Rubina Chougle, Sabir Omer Galsulkar, Aamir Diwan, Syed Qamar Minto, and Sayeed Nazar Kadapavi.—all of whom spoke extensively about the critiques she had penned over the years. Reference was made to the numerous Books authored by her, which include Kuch Zikr Kuch Fikr, Fiqr-o-Nazar, and Hamaari Kadr Karo- Ae Sukhan Ke Matwalo’n.. The President of the Forum—Umesh Sharma who has had a long and respectful association with Maimuna Ali Chougle spoke about her poems in Urdu and Hindi.
Other members of WFK who conveyed their wishes to and spoke about Maimuna Ali Chougle included Reshmy Krishna Kumar, Rajesh Verlekar, Ali Chougle, Shabbih Ahmed, Tushar Misra, Mohan Singh. Good wishes for the writer also poured in from Ainy Chougle, Mr and Mrs Khot, and Chhaya Thakkar.
Maimuna Ali Chougle also was invited to read excerpts from her published critiques and to speak about her journey as a litterateur. She also thanked the WFK profusely, for organizing such an evening for her.
The concluding remarks were offered by the Chief Guest Salim Desai who described Maimuna Ali Chougle as a Jewel of the Kokan region and exhorted her to carry on with the tremendous work that she has been doing. Afroz Alam, who was presiding over the deliberations, then dwelt on the writings of Maimuna Ali Chougle and while offering his Presidential remarks, wished her the very best in the years ahead.
The evening concluded with the hosts- Aamir and Maria Diwan, being thanked by Sunil Sonsi for their gracious hospitality.