IRFAN Siddiqui stepped up to the rostrum with a soft smile and said, “Those who know, already know — and those who don’t, should now learn that Farooq Adil is my senior.” The auditorium of the Pak-China Friendship Centre, packed to capacity, fell into astonished silence. On stage were Late Mushahidullah Khan, Attaul Haq Qasmi, Syed Saud Sahir, Dr. Khalil Toker, Dr. Zahid Munir Aamir and Dr. Fatima Hassan — the front line of our literary world. Qasmi Sahib even turned toward him in surprise. At that very moment, Siddiqui Sahib addressed him: “Qasmi Sahib, bear witness — in Takbeer, Farooq Adil was my senior.”

Laughter swept across the hall. This happened in 2017, when Dr. Inam-ul-Haq Javed was heading the National Book Foundation and its book fair had become a cultural festival in its own right. My first book of personality sketches, Jo Soorat Nazar Aayi, had just been published and its launch was arranged with great affection.

Though Siddiqui Sahib joined Takbeer after me, his distinctive, classical style was already being celebrated. Every week he conducted an interview and wrote its introductory note — elegant, fragrant prose that revived the forgotten grace of classical Urdu. While Sir Syed had shifted Urdu from ornate to simple,........

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