Agar Aap Change Nahin Hote Hain To Aap Mar Jate Hain | #Guftugu with Sohail Hashmi

Sohail Hashmi is a writer, film maker and history buff known for his heritage walks in Delhi. 00:00- #guftugu 2:22- Interview begins 2:57- How were his upbringing and his interest in history? About Chabiganj, Nicholson Road, about Kashmiri gate area Talks about Kashmiri Katra, demolition of buildings in 1857 5:02- His grandfather studied BFA, from the College of Arts, Lahore 5:45- What did his father do? Joined Tehreek-e-Aazadi as a student, His uncles and father got arrested during the Quit India Movement, taught in Hindu College, association with the Communist party, Grandmother joined National Federation of Indian Women. 7:04- His parents and their lives Father- Hanif Hashmi and Mother -Qamar Jahan Azad His mother wrote, “Panchwa Chirag”, Her works on her father, “Azhar Ali Azad” . It became a project of UGC and with the help of Prof. Akhlaq Ahmed Ahan from JNU. Talks about his siblings, Sabiha, Shehla, Safdar and Shabnam. 9:30- How did their father bring them up and what was his source of livelihood? The family moved to Aligarh in the early ’50s at the behest of Dr Zakir Hussain. His mother became Headmistress in an NDMC school in Delhi, in 1961. His father work in AMU and made AMU’s Archeological museum. How his father used to take them through Pehli Delhi till Saatvi Delhi. Father also worked as Technical Editor for Soviet Information on its magazine, Soviet Land. 13:22- Where were they living during these times? NDMC school quarters in Lodhi Estate allotted to their mother. Their house in Kashmiri Gate was occupied after Partition. 13:53- Where did he and his siblings study? Studied till 7th standard in Aligarh, then from an NDMC School in Delhi, Completed HSC from Vidya Bhavan Mahavidyalaya, Lodhi Estate. BA (Geography) from Kirori Mal College, MA and M.Phil from JNU. Became politically active, Students’ Federation and Union and also went to jail during emergency. 15:59- What was his interests during his formative years? Read Faiz, Sahir, Fasana-e-Azad, The Mother by Gorky, and other literary pieces from Taraqqi Pasand Tehreek in childhood. Participation in CPI(M). First job at the age of 41. Worked in PTI TV, National Literacy Mission, Home TV, Business India TV, Kingfisher.com, made documentaries. 19:32- Talks about his father’s death and the time of emergency. 20:30- Specialisation in Geography, History as a subsidiary subject. His experience with children in his centre and the inspiration behind heritage walks. Did the Breakfast Show with NDTV. 22:25- Talks about the generational difference. Talks about Leap Years, a centre started by Rahul Bhandari. Appreciates the youth of today. 24:51- What is the difference between a Heritage Walk and a Tourist Guide? Talks about the importance of history, the stories behind the monuments. Gives examples of Taj Mahal, Lal Quila, Fatehpur Sikri. 27:43- How does he justify his work and objectives even though, it's not something that is certified? Advantage because of Urdu language. Works of Sir Syed, Basheer-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad, texts written in Persian. 29:42- What kinds of people has he seen in his profession and the idea of Certification of Guides? Talks about Archeological Survey of India and Tourism of India. Talks about the quadrangle of Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Delhi and Jaipur. Gives an example of London and the system of Guides there. 35:29- What should be the approach while visiting a heritage site and what are his learnings from his work? Talks about how history is taught to us and how relations between historical figures are also important. Gives an example of Akbar and Harka Bai. 40:13- What does “Indianness” mean to you? The difference between the rule of Mughals, Lodhis and Britishers. A new thought after 1857, started by Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Lokmanya Tilak, Dadabhai Naoroji. The revolt of 1857. The folk song, “Bidesiya” 45:35- How to join his walks? Walks from October to March. “Delhi Heritage Walks With Sohail Hashmi” on Facebook, announced every Sunday evening. Group walks on weekdays. 47:26- Any interesting experiences or information he got during these years? Talks about Lahori Darwaza and Delhi Darwaza of Lal Quila. About walk with the students of NSD. Masjid in Istanbul, Hagia Sophia. 53:52- Names of places and the history behind them. Talks about Bengali Market, Chirag Delhi, Tughlakabad. 56:37- What does he think about the Menu available for food today and how it has changed? Talks about Recipe books, the advent of spices, the difference in methods of cooking. Recites a verse of Ghalib. 1:03:43- Asked about Safdar Hashmi Started a theatre group. About Jana Natya Manch, period of Emergency, Street Theatre, The play called “Halla Bol” was attacked. Committee for Communal Harmony. SAHMAT. Safdar’s reach between people. 1:15:25- Muslims and Music. Talks about Hazrat Bilal (RA) and Umme Kulsum. Anchor- Producer : Syed Mohammad Irfan