Famous play writer of Pakistan Television: Muneer Ahmed Qureshi (Munnu Bhai).
His name was mostly associated with column writing but Muneer Ahmed Qureshi or ‘Munnu Bhai’, as he is better known, put on paper a few of the most remembered and revered drama serials in Pakistani television history. He has been one of the most outstanding and consistent writers in Pakistan. He was born on 6th February, 1933 in Wazirabad, Punjab. He finished his schooling from the Government College Attock. Initially he worked as a translator for an Urdu newspaper but eventually developed into a playwright and dramatist with exceptional capacity and skills. He devoted most of his pen and ink to PTV.
‘Sona Chandi’ is his most famous drama serial up to date and has won him much praise for his talented writing. A story about a village couple who moves to the city to earn money and attain a better standard of life, it is still etched into the minds of its viewers for its well-built and well executed plot as well as its humorous story line. He also ventured into long plays, producing immensely entertaining plays such as ‘Gumshuda’ and ‘Khubsurat’ which were well received by the audience and drew favorable comments from the critics. He also inked down another renowned drama serial ‘Ashiyaana’ which was characterized by its buoyant and optimistic plot as well as for highlighting family values. His drama serial ‘Dasht’ was another one of his brilliant works and portrayed the life style, cultural traditions as well as the backwardness of the Balochi tribes based in Gwadar.
Munnu Bhai was an immensely multi-talented man. As well as being a playwright and dramatist, his Punjabi poetry is considered as one of the best works in recent Punjabi literature and poetry. A regular columnist for the Daily Jang, Munnu Bhai was considered to be among the elite of Pakistan’s best and brightest columnists. He was loyal to the Pakistan’s People Party and his columns speak volumes for the poor and suffering of the country. He was also of the chaperon of the Sundas Foundation. He was awarded with Pride of Performance Award. Pakistan lost this talent on 19th January, 2018.
