“You become a different writer when you approach a short story. When things do not always have to represent other things, you find real human beings begin to cautiously appear on your pages.”
Dr. Waseem Siddiqi is known to his readers and friends as a story-writer so very simple and humane, that it is not a surprise to find his stories very simply written but deeply moving. The Writers’ Forum, Kuwait (WFK) decided to spend an entire evening with its member- Dr. Waseem Siddiqi, in an attempt to cast a closer look at his life and his writings. On November 28, at the residence of Tajwer Sultana, the members gathered to listen to Dr. Siddiqi, talking about his life and his short stories. Along with a Book of short-stories in Hindi and one in Urdu, Dr. Siddiqi has also penned a novelette in Hindi and has his stories published in various literary magazines.
Mrs. Shahjahan Jaffery, a poet and a short-story writer in Urdu presided over the evening, while Mr. Shahid Jamaal graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Following a brief floral welcome of Dr. Siddiqi by Dr. M. U. Beg- the President of the WFK, the evening was steered by Afroz Alam- also an Urdu poet. Dr. Waseem Siddiqi spoke about his childhood in Lucknow and his cherished memories with his grandparents and other members of the family and the neighbourhood. He spoke about how he began writing, inspired as he was by his own varied experiences in his professional life. Being keenly observant and sensitive, all that he saw, felt and heard- began to take the form of stories on paper.
The other members of WFK who presented their notes and observations on the writings of Dr. Siddiqi included Dr. M. U. Beg, Umesh Sharma, Syed Nazar Kadpawwi, Dr. Navniit Gandhi, Sunil Sonsi, Shakeel Jamshedpuri, and Rajesh Verlekar. All those who had read the short stories written by the author, were unanimous in their observations that his stories felt as one’s own; they were sensitive depictions of the trials and tribulations of a common man. The stories, while being short and simple, not only stirred the readers but the humour in them amused the readers too.
Dr. Waseem Siddiqi relished a few tender moments along with all the members present, even as his three children- Lubna, Farhaaz and Husna also spoke about their father and his stories. His wife Mrs Zeba Waseem was also present at the occasion. Other members of the WFK who attended the program included Tajwer Sultana, Sabir Galsulkar, Gurbakash S. Dogra, Reshmy K., Mrs Gobind Rani Sethi, Qamar Minto, Naseem Zahid, Ibrahim Sange Raja, Kamaal Ansari and Ravin Singh.
Towards the end, the Chief Guest Shahid Jamaal spoke about his association with Dr. Siddiqi and what he felt about his stories. Finally, Shahjahan Jaffery who presided over the evening read her observations and comments. The hosts were profusely thanked and the members carried with them many an interesting anecdotes and tales and insights.
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