Zafar Mairaj (Urdu, Balochi, Brahui: ظفر معراج; born 11 October 1968) is a Pakistani drama writer,[1][2] lyricist and short story writer. He primarily writes in Urdu but has also written in Brahui and Balochi.[3] He has written more than 50 drama serials, plays and telefilms for PTV and private television networks, such as Aaj TV, Indus TV, Geo Entertainment, ARY Digital and Hum TV.[4]
Zafar Mairaj | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Zafar Mairaj Mashwani 11 October 1968 |
| Nationality | Pakistani |
| Occupation(s) | Civil engineer, drama writer, lyricist, poet, short-story writer |
| Years active | 1991–present |
Early life
editHe was born in Syed (Mashwani) house to Mohammad Mairaj.[citation needed] He matriculated from Helper Public School, Quetta and for intermediate he went to Tameer-e-Nau Public College, Quetta. He got the bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Balochistan University of Engineering and Technology, Khuzdar.[citation needed]
While he was a college student he wrote short stories, columns in magazines and newspapers, and participated in literary events. He worked as a journalist for a while until he wrote his first long play Amarbail for PTV in 1991.[citation needed]
Career
editHe chose the problems of the Lower Middle Class as a theme for his writing, as he himself belonged to the same deprived class of the society.[citation needed]
YouTube
editIn 2021 Zafar Mairaj started a social service series Khanabadosh, on a Youtube Channel Nashpati Prime. Khanabadosh episodically covers an array of social topics such as value system, prejudice, human rights and life in general.[5]
He will soon appear in Banjara, on similar lines of Khanabadosh. Banjara will be featured on his official youtube channel.[6]
Screenwriting credits
edit| Year | Title | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Amarbail | [4] | |
| 1994 | Shantul | in Balochi language | |
| 1995 | Shantul | ||
| Safar | |||
| 1996 | Ajnabee | ||
| 1997 | Ijazat | ||
| Dozakh | [4] | ||
| 2001 | Daddy | ||
| Kisay Wakeel Karain | |||
| 2002 | Allap | ||
| 2004 | Werdi | ||
| Masuri | |||
| Mahnoor | |||
| Sufaid posh | |||
| 2005 | Muqadddas | ||
| Laadla | |||
| 2006 | Koh Zade | ||
| Maa aur Mamta | |||
| 2007 | Pakistan Ka Matlab Kya... | Television film | |
| Lyari express | |||
| Vanee | |||
| Shikwah | |||
| Aurat Aur Char Devari | |||
| 2008 | Mehmaan | ||
| Mann Se Pocho | |||
| 2009 | Mulaqat | ||
| Ishq Ki Inteha | |||
| Darwaza | |||
| 2010 | Intezar | ||
| Zafar Mairaj Ki Kahaniyan | |||
| Ghar Ki Khatir | |||
| 2011 | Kesi Yeh Agan | ||
| Palki | |||
| 2015 | Ashk | ||
| Mehram | |||
| 2016 | Sangat | ||
| 2017 | Dumpukht - Aatish-e-Ishq | ||
| Munkir | |||
| 2018 | Lashkara | ||
| 2019 | Marham | ||
| Inkaar | [4] | ||
| 2023 | Kabuli Pulao | ||
| 2024 | Mann Jogi |
Accolades
edit| Drama | Year | Award | Nominated/winner | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| shantul | 1996 | PTV Award | Winner – best writer drama serial | |
| Ijazat | 1997 | PTV Award | Nominated – best writer drama serial | |
| Kisay wakeel karain | 2001 | PTV Award | Nominated – best writer drama serial | |
| Murad | 2003 | Indus Telefilm Festival | Winner - Best Writer TV Film | Girhan From Ptv Karachi Center |
| Masuri | 2004 | PTV Award | Nominated – best writer drama serial | |
| Maa aur mamta | 2005 | The 1st Indus Drama Awards | Winner – best writer drama series | |
| Kohzade | 2006
Girhan From Karachi |
PTV prize | Winner – best writer independent play | |
| Pakistan ka matlab kya! | 2007 | PTV prize | Winner – best writer independent play | |
| Aurat aur chardiwari | 2007 | Indus drama award | Winner – best writer drama series | |
| Lyari express | 2007 | PTV Award | Winner – best writer drama serial | |
| Pehla pathar | 2008 | PTV prize | Winner – best writer telefilm | |
| Darwaza | 2010 | PTV Award | Nominated – best writer drama serial | |
| Dumpukht | 2016 | Lux Style Award | Nominated - best writer drama serial |
He has received most nominations for Best Writer without ever winning.
| Ceremony | Category | Project | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9th Lux Style Awards[7] | Best Television Writer | Darwaza | Nominated |
| 10th Lux Style Awards[8] | Ghar Ki Khatir | ||
| 16th Lux Style Awards[9] | Dampukht | ||
| 17th Lux Style Awards[10] | Muqabil | ||
| 19th Lux Style Awards[11] | Inkaar |
References
edit- ^ Shazia Anwar (1 November 2009). "Zafar Mairaj". Humsay Magazine. Vol. 6, no. 26. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
- ^ The Herald, Volume 38, Issues 4–6. 2007.
- ^ Ahmad, Ather (6 March 2020). "Meet the man bringing folk wisdom to social media". Express Tribune. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
- ^ a b c d Alavi, Omair (22 March 2020). "Top-rated writers today". The News International. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- ^ "Khanabadosh I Sukoon Kya Hai? I Saada Si Baat I Nashpati Prime". YouTube. 14 October 2020.
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/@zafar.mairaj [bare URL]
- ^ "https://fashioncentral.pk/fashion_events/9th-lux-style-awards-2010/"
- ^ "https://web.archive.org/web/20111108022835/http://www.rewaj.com/fashion/lux-style-awards-2011-nominations.html"
- ^ "https://images.dawn.com/news/1177454" (16)
- ^ "https://images.dawn.com/news/1179502" (17)
- ^ "https://images.dawn.com/news/1182224" (19)