Today we lost another legend: Munir Ahmed Qureshi who is more commonly, and fondly, known as Munnu Bhai. Anyone who has even an inkling of Pakistani literature is familiar with the words of Munnu Bhai. What started off as a career as a translator for an Urdu newspaper, turned into a prolific career, making Munnu Bhai one of the biggest names in the written and modern word
While he was working as a translator, he realised his calling lay in drama writer, and so he began
In 1982, he wrote one of the most famous plays, to date: ‘Sona Chandi’
The story revolved around a couple who moved from the village to the city in hopes of attaining better quality of life
His other work also includes ‘Dasht’
A play about the Balochi tribes in Gwadar, Baluchistan
As a poet, Munnu Bhai was regarded as one of the best in recent Punjabi literature and poetry
He received the Pride of Performance Award from Pervez Musharraf, the then-President of Pakistan, in 2007
Recently, his columns in the Daily Jang have always gripped its readers
People were sending their condolences from all over, including known names like Bilawal Bhutto
So sad to hear Munnu Bhai has passed away. Pakistan loses another progressive voice of integrity & sanity. pic.twitter.com/wMEGD6lZMS
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) January 19, 2018
People quoted his work as a tribute to him
Inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhi Raaji'oon. My most heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of Munir Ahmed Qureshi commonly known as #MunnuBhai senior columnist, philanthropist, social worker, poet, drama writer, play writer & chairman #Sundas Foundation.
RIP #MunnuBhai pic.twitter.com/gYtLLbuWQx— Adv Izhar Ali Shah (@AdvIzharPPP) January 19, 2018
Some even attached his recitations
Ki hoya aye?
Kuj naeeN hoya
Ki hoye ga?
Kuj naeeN hona
Jo tuN chana ayN o naeeN hona
Ho naeeN janda, kerna painda aye
Ishq samunder dherna painda aye
Haq di khatir lerna painda aye!RIP Munnu Bhai.
What a great loss for Pakistan and the world of reason & progressive thought pic.twitter.com/pQG7G0Kpgu
— Marvi Sirmed (@marvisirmed) January 19, 2018
Mira Hashmi recollected the first time she worked with Munnu Bhai
I did my first ever TV play for Munno Bhai (I was horrible and awkward in it). He wrote one scene specially for me to wear a saree in – "Tu saree mein Alys jaisi lagti hai" he said. #RIP #MunnoBhai
— CeciN'estPasUneTweet (@monadarling) January 19, 2018
Adeel Hashmi was full of praise for Munnu Bhai’s strength and resilience
Always upright in times of great political stress – smiling through the worst of times- never to be forgotten – our Munnu Bhai. pic.twitter.com/RDgrD2PkGl
— Adeel Hashmi (@AdeelHashmi3) January 19, 2018
Munnu Bhai truly was one of the greatest we’ve ever seen and it has been an honor to be from the same country as him
Singular sense of humour, and just an all-round fantastic human being. Rest in peace, Munno Bhai. I will always cherish that beautiful address book you gifted me. https://t.co/4yLu688LBk
— CeciN'estPasUneTweet (@monadarling) January 19, 2018
Senator Sherry Rehman spoke about how generations have benefited from his work
I can’t believe Munnu Bhai is gone! Can’t imagine Lahore without his gentle smile and his inimitable ways of speaking truth to power. Two generations of Pakistani journalists at least have been guided by his voice in progressive politics and social justice. May he rest in peace.
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) January 19, 2018
We, indeed, are all poorer today
RIP #MunooBhai. We are all poorer today!
A voice of passion, and compassion. A man of principle, and of reason. A gentle soul, but unbending conviction. His smile was always wide, the sparkle in his eyes always mischievous, and his handshake always firm.
And he is no more! pic.twitter.com/btmyHyah8G
— Adil Najam عادل نجم (@AdilNajam) January 19, 2018
Rest in peace, Munnu Bhai, you’ll never be forgotten
Rest in peace Munno Bhai, play wright, dramatist, poet, column writer. Crusader against pollution, protector of children with blood disorders, fund raiser for the mentally ill, champion of democracy.
Would it be that we live a life half as rich as his….— Natasha (@OhTripe) January 19, 2018
One by one they go… Rest in peace #MunnuBhai pic.twitter.com/4DSnAWgXtk
— Hasan Zaidi (@hyzaidi) January 19, 2018
Cover image via dawn.com