A brief introduction of

Famous poet & fiction writer

Raees Warsi
By:

Dr. Najma Sultana, New York

Raees Warsi was born on March, 1, 1963 in Karachi. He is a son of Sattar Warsi, a
renowned Urdu Poet known for Natia poetry. His brothers are also well known. Dr. Saeed Warsi, is a prestigious poet, columnist, and an internationally well-known social activist, Rasheed Warsi was a famous poet, research scholar and a journalist. Poetry, with special emphasis on social conscience is the enduring legacy of the Warsi family, the Warsis have so generously shared their rich Wirasat (Heritage) with all of us. Raees is a multi-dimensional genius. As a toddler his vocabulary was poetic, he channeled his adolescent idealistic angst to poetry. 1980 was a pivotal year for him, Raees first poem was published in his college magazine. This was Raeess debut as a poet. As the depth of his insuppressible talent surfaced, his creativity was nurtured by established poetic circles of the Urdu World. His Poetic passions intensified after he was invited to a Mushaira (Poetic gathering) presided by eminent poet Syed Hashim Raza. Raees joined literary society of Majlis Samajee Karkunan Pakistan. He often recited his poems as emerging talent.. His first poem was published in 1986 in the most recognized Urdu literary magazine the monthly Afkaar Karachi, (Published by Sehba Lucknavi), even though he was writing poem and articles for news papers and magazines like daily Jang, Mashriq, Huriyat, Akhbare Jehan, Akhbare Khawateen, Warsa, Idraak and others. Raees embraced his family legacy and his calling with grace and gusto. Raees has Masters Degree in Mass Communication. Even as a student he was very energetic, editing magazines, winning competitions, appearing on the radio and television for interviews. Raees contributed to prestigious publications including Daily Jang, Nawa-e-Waqt and Mashriq. In his adopted Motherland, America, Raeess dedication to his Mother Tongue intensified. He was dismayed that the South Asian youth by distancing itself from Urdu, would be robbed of its intellectual and emotional heritage. Preoccupied with the potential loss of the next generation, this concerned South Asian promptly founded Urdu Markaz New York (Urdu Language Center). Urdu Markaz organized Mushairas (poetry recitation) Seminars, Special evening with writers, Lectures on several topics and Published many books. Homesick South Asians flocked to this Nest making it a phenomenal success. Urdu is in great demand and Raees dreamt big for Urdu. As he nourished the language he cherished so much, this intuitive poet earnestly wanted Urdu recognized as an International treasure. Raees, eager to safeguard Urdu, organized the First International Urdu Conference at united Nations Headquarters on June 24th 2000 in New York. The response was stunning as Urdu luminaries descended from all over the world, and it became a historical event. The Secretary General of the United Nations, Vice President of the United States of

America, President of Pakistan and President of India all lauded the conference. Urdu was henceforth recognized as an International language. Raees, the doer and the talker all rolled in one, was at once humbled and exuberant. His restless creative genius went on to compile an exciting C.D. titled Beetey Lamhey, Sung by Ustad Zakir Ali Khan, Ghulam Ali, Hamid Ali Khan, Asad Amanat Ali Khan,Humaira Cahanna,Perwiz Mehdi and Shamsa Kanwal. The C.D. is pure magic. Raees, always a household name in Pakistan, became Internationally known. Pakistan blessed out on the poems of this far-flung son. India too caught on to the lyrical hysteria generated by this over seas South Asian genius. Famous Indian and Pakistani singers Ravinder Jain, Padmaja Joglikar, Akhter Feroz, Asif Ali, Iqbal Qasim, Rifaqat Ali Khan and Zafar Iqbal, sung his mesmerizing poems in melodious voice. Not content with his accomplishment, Raees entered a new arena by making his debut in the world famous Bollywood movie, Hum Tum Ayr Mom The lyrics were written by Raees and sung by Udit Narayan and Sadhna Sargam, the upcoming dynamic duo. He is a pillar of a South Asian community, a well known figure of media in general, as an associated producer of Pakistan television Network, He is the anchorman of the Urdu talk shows. This golden guy of poetry received dozen of prestigious awards from the South Asian Community based organizations including electronic and print media. I have chronicled some of the accomplishments of this young and charismatic poet. His inexhaustible creativity, sharp brilliance and God given gift tells me, his best is yet to come. This quintessential Urdu admirer will not only be marveled for contributing to this deeply textured language, but also as the promoter and custodian of its rich legacy, specially on these powerful shores. Its particularly fascinating that the title of book Aaina Hoon Main sums it all up. I am indebted to Raees for enriching our lives and am looking forward to many more golden nuggets from this pacifist poet with profound legacy.

Resources & References: Magazine of Asia Society New York Google, Yahoo YouTube, Face book, Twitter Daily Jang Karachi Magazine of First International Urdu Conference in the United Nations Head Quarters Urdu Times, New York Pakistan Post, New York Pakistan News, New York Pakistan Television Network, NY Sukhanwar (A collection of Poets biography by Sultana Mehar) Collection of Raees Warsis Poetry Aaina Hoon Main. Brochure of C.D Album Beetay Lamhay (Lyrics by Raees Warsi) Reviews of: Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi, Ahmed Faraz, Dr. Farman Fatehpuri, Prof. Gopi Chand Narang, Dr. Jameel Jalabi, Zameer Jaffary, Iftekhar Arif, Dr. Saeed Warsi & Humaira Rahman.