Hyderabad: Well-known broadcaster, Urdu poet, theatre and film actor Aslam Farshori passed away here Thursday. He was 74.
He was famous as nazim (master of ceremonies) of mushairas in Hyderabad. His career spanned decades and left an indelible mark on radio, television, theatre and literature.
Born on July 8, 1951, Farshori started his career when he was in his teens as a casual announcer at All India Radio. He graduated from Anwarul Uloom College where he was also elected president of Student Union for three years. He did MA from Osmania University.
He was active in the Telangana agitation of 1969. He co-founded the Zinda Dilan-e-Hyderabad, world’s first humour society. He also served as the secretary for the Fine Arts Academy, Hyderabad’s famous cultural society.
He became popular as an anchor on radio and television. While working as a producer at All India Radio, he acted as Lala Bhai in the popular daily iconic show ‘Chhoti Chhoti Baatein.’
He directed, produced and acted in many plays. He later became the Programme Executive at All India Radio.
Farshori was one of the founders and head of ETV Urdu, the first exclusive Urdu television channel launched in 2001.
In 2017, he received Telangana State Literary award at the hands of then Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao. The state government in 2020 released a stamp in honour of Farshori’s service and dedication to the state, Urdu language and media.
The namaz-e-janaaza was performed at Suncity Masjid and burial took place at Dargah-e-Yusufain, Nampally.
Ghazal singer and actor Talat Aziz has condoled the demise of Farshori. “Today, I lost a dear friend, Aslam Farshori. He considered me as a younger brother. He was with All India Radio when I met him in my teens. He was so well read and a master in Urdu literature and was a notable personality of Hyderabad,” said Talat Aziz. He recalled that Farshori was close to eminent filmmaker Shyam Benegal, who passed away recently, and many other legendary film personalities of that era.
Meanwhile, Ahmeduddin Owaisi has also condoled the passing away of Aslam Farshori. He recalled that he first met him in 1960 when his eldest brother Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi was contesting his first election from Malepaly Municipal constituency.
“Aslam used to live there with his grandfather and a renowned poet Hayrath Badayuni. We campaigned for my brother and he won that election. Afterward Aslam did many stage shows All India Radio, etc. He was a permanent Nazim Mushaira at Darusalaam Natiya Mushaira. We Invited him in our Bazm-e-Ittihaad Mushairas several times,” said Ahmeduddin Owaisi.
