Asghar Nadeem Syed

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Asghar Nadeem Syed (اصغر ندیم سید) (born 14 January 1950) is a Pakistani playwright, TV drama serial writer and poet.[1][2] He has written shows for the Pakistani state channel, PTV, as well as the privately owned Shalimar Television Network.

Early life and career

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Syed was born on 14 January 1950 in the city of Multan, Pakistan.[1] He received his master's degree in Urdu language from the University of Punjab, Lahore and completed his PhD at Bahauddin Zakariya University in Multan.[3][1] He is married and has three children; a son and two daughters. His son Syed Adeel Hassan is a British national who works for FTSE 100 businesses in the UK. Syed gets inspiration from his son to depict life in foreign lands. Syed is a family man with strong bonds with his son and daughters. Syed wrote the popular TV play Chand Grehan, an Urdu TV drama serial that was one of the highest rated dramas produced by STN, along with "Nijaat" and "Hawain," classic dramas from PTV. One of Syed's works, "Ghulam Gardish" was directed by Nusrat Thakur.[1]

At one time, Asghar Nadeem Syed was a media consultant at the Pakistan Television Corporation.[3][1]

His dramas depict the social injustices in the society. He has written plays depicting the feudal culture in rural Sindh, exploitation of women, the oligarchic structure in Pakistan comprising politicians, feudals, media moguls and the bureaucracy.

In January 2014, he was wounded by unknown assailants in a gun attack in Lahore while he was returning home from his job as head of the Department of Television, Film and Theatre at Beaconhouse National University in Lahore. The assailants shot at his car when he was near Shaukat Khanum Hospital.[4][5]

Syed has a total of 36 years of teaching experience.[3]

TV plays

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Literary activities

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In 2013, he served on the Board of Governors of Pakistan Academy of Letters, an institution of Pakistani scholars and writers.[1] In November 2020, he was appointed as one of the directors of Pakistan Television under the chairmanship of Mr. Naeem Bokhari.

Awards and recognition

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Lux Style Awards

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Ceremony Category Project Result
9th Lux Style Awards[11] Best Television Writer Khuda Zameen Se Gaya Nahi Won
10th Lux Style Awards[12] Bol Meri Machli Nominated

Books

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Poetry Collections

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  • Tarz‑e‑Ehsas (طرزِ احساس; *Style of Feeling*) (1988)

A collection of Urdu poems exploring emotional landscapes and introspection, showcasing Syed’s lyrical voice in early poetic form.[13]

  • Aadhe Chaand Ki Raat (آدھے چاند کی رات; *Mid‑Moon Night*) (1993)

A volume of evocative ghazals and nazms capturing themes of longing, romance, and night‑time reflection.[14]

  • Adhuri Kulliyat (ادھوری کلیات; *Incomplete Collected Works*) (2014)

A curated compilation of selected poems from Syed’s earlier work, including unpublished and rare pieces.[15]

  • Jahanabad Ki Galiyan (جہاں آباد کی گلیاں; *Streets of Jahanabad*) (2023)

Recent poems centered on urban life, nostalgia, and cultural change in old Lahore neighborhoods.[16]

Short Fiction

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  • Kahani Mujhe Mili (کہانی مجھے ملی; *I Found a Story*) (2017)

A collection of ten short stories reflecting social issues, human struggles, and reflective narratives.[17]

Character Sketches

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  • Phirta Hai Falak Barson (پھرتا ہے فلک برسوں; *The Sky Wanders for Years*) (2022)

A series of vivid character sketches (khaakay) portraying personalities from various walks of life.[18]

Literary Criticism

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  • Syed Waqar Azeem: Shakhsiyat Aur Fun (سید وقار عظیم: شخصیت اور فن; *Syed Waqar Azeem: Personality and Art*) (2017)

A critical study on noted literary figure Syed Waqar Azeem, analyzing his life, works, and stylistic contributions.[19]

Play & Script Anthologies

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  • Dasht‑e‑Imkaan (دشتِ امکان; *Desert of Possibilities*)

A collection of dramatic writings and scripts, highlighting Syed’s contribution to Urdu drama.[20]

  • Tooti Hui Tanaab Udhar (ٹوٹی ہوئی تناب ادھر; *The Rope is Broken Over There*) (2019)

A dramatic text or play centering on social and psychological tension, with symbolic undertones.[21]

Other Works

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  • Zameen‑Zaad Ka Ufaq (زمین زاد کا اُفق; *Horizon Born of the Earth*)

Likely a poetry or reflection-based work; exact category and publication date unspecified.[22]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Asghar Nadeem Syed on Associated Press of Pakistan website Retrieved 7 October 2023
  2. ^ Literary gathering: Conference on China-Pakistan literature from 28th The Express Tribune (newspaper), Published 27 July 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2023
  3. ^ a b c d e "Profile of Asghar Nadeem Syed" (PDF). Punjab.gov.pk website. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 February 2018. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  4. ^ Playwright Asghar Nadeem Syed survives gun attack in Lahore The Express Tribune (newspaper), Published 21 January 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2018
  5. ^ Playwright Asghar Nadeem Syed injured in Lahore firing Dawn (newspaper), Published 21 January 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2018
  6. ^ "From TV to cinemas: 'Pyas will make for a great film script'". The Express Tribune. 27 September 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g "ON LIFE AND ART". The Express Tribune newspaper. 13 February 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  8. ^ "نگار ایوارڈز سال 1989". Nigar Weekly (in Urdu). Golden Jubilee Number: 297. 2000.
  9. ^ "PTV Awards 1998", PTV (News), 10 October 2019, archived from the original on 21 December 2021, retrieved 29 June 2021
  10. ^ "President confers 192 civilian awards". Dawn (newspaper). 14 August 2005. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  11. ^ 9th Lux Style Awards
  12. ^ 10th Lux Style Awards
  13. ^ Tarz‑e‑Ehsas – Rekhta
  14. ^ Aadhe Chaand Ki Raat – Rekhta
  15. ^ Adhuri Kulliyat – Book Corner, 2014
  16. ^ Jahanabad Ki Galiyan – Rekhta
  17. ^ Kahani Mujhe Mili – Rekhta
  18. ^ Phirta Hai Falak Barson – Sang‑e‑Meel Publications, 2022
  19. ^ Syed Waqar Azeem: Shakhsiyat Aur Fun – Rekhta
  20. ^ Dasht‑e‑Imkaan – Sang‑e‑Meel Publications
  21. ^ Tooti Hui Tanaab Udhar – Amazon, 2019
  22. ^ Zameen Zaad ka Ufaq – Booksvilla
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