Aslam Farshori, Hyderabad’s renowned poet, theatre and film personality, passes away
Aslam Farshori began his journey as a casual announcer at All India Radio
By Newsmeter Network Published on 9 Jan 2025 6:42 PM IST
Hyderabad: Aslam Farshori, a celebrated broadcaster, poet, theatre and film actor, passed away on Thursday at 7 am. Born in 1949, Farshori’s illustrious career spanned decades, leaving an indelible mark on radio, theatre, television and literature in the State.
Aslam Farshori began his journey as a casual announcer at All India Radio during his teenage years. He attended Anwar ul Uloom College where he was elected the president of Students’ Union. He also actively participated in the agitation for Telangana statehood.
While working as a radio producer, he performed the role of Lala Bhai in the popular daily show ‘Chhoti Chhoti Baatein’ to critical acclaim. Over the years he directed, produced and acted in numerous plays eventually becoming the program executive.
Later in his career, he left radio service to become the founder and head of ETV Urdu, the world’s first exclusively Urdu TV channel.
Aslam Farshori also co-founded the Zinda Dilan-e-Hyderabad, the world’s first humour society and served as the secretary for the Fine Arts Academy, Hyderabad’s famous cultural society.
As a poet, he specialised in Naat—the eulogy poems written in praise of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He was a well-known nazim (master of ceremonies) of international mushairas.
Farshori is survived by his children Amaan Farshori, Faraaz Farshori, Salman Farshori, Armaan Farshori and Nabeela Aslam and his wife Shabeena Farshori.
Friends offer condolences
A stalwart of Urdu culture, Farshori’s contributions to the arts and literature will be remembered for generations.
Speaking about Farshori and their time together, Talat Aziz said, “Today, I lost a dear friend, Aslam Farshori. He considered me as a younger brother. He was with the 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. He was close to Shyam Benegal and a host of legendary film personalities of that era.”
