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In brief, Diaspora mythology - homeland, ancient past, returning-back syndrome – is not likely to disappear overnight. Tashie Zaheer’s poetry provides ample examples:
Jis Mitti Kii Kokh Se Tum ne Janam Liya
Us Kii Khushboo Apne Jism-o-Jaan MeN Rakhna
Kab Tak Unse Saya Milta Akhir PeRh Paraye Thay
Upne Ghar Ke AaNgan MeN Ham PeRh Lagana Bhool Gaye
Umr Guzari Ham Nay Tashie Aag Bujhate AurouN Kii
Apne Ghar ko Aag Lagii Too Aag Bhujhana Bhool Gaye
Petro-dollar poets/writers
Ashfaq Hussain, in his comprehensive literary analysis highlighted another interesting dilemma of Diaspora poets and writers. He said literary evenings are held in our honor when we visit our native lands. However when such evenings are over, people say that they are Petrodollar poets/writers because they have money to publish their books. In certain cases it may be true but this sweeping observation is not correct.
He said that literary work of a poet like Tashie Zaheer belies the claim of such people. He pointed out that North America now hosts a large number of Urdu writers and poets which deserve recognition and appreciation due to their excellence in literary work.
Sarfraz Abad
Prominent poet from Texas, Sarfraz Abad also spoke about Tashie Zaheer’s diwan. He said that poetry is the name of one’s sentiments and sensitivities as a poet stuffs words with thoughts that create changes in the mood of the listener. “In my view poetry should be so penetrating that it immediately invokes a feeling of joy or an emotion of love or a sentiment of hate in the listener.”
In the same way, John Keats believed that Poetry should strike the reader as a wording of his own highest thoughts. And for Khalil Gibran, poetry is a deal of joy and pain and wonder, with a dash of the dictionary. Likewise, Nobel Laureate Italian author Salvatore Quasimodo says that poetry is the revelation of a feeling that the poet believes to be interior and personal which the reader recognizes as his own. 
Sarfraz Abad finds these feelings, sentiments and thoughts in Tashie Zaheer’s book, Shaam Kii Aahat which is his first diwan containing his poetic work of over 30 years.
Manzil Kii Aarzoo hi Rahii Hamko Umr Bhar
Raste Badal Gaye Kabhii Rehbar Badal Gaye
Badlii NahiN Hay Apne Muzalim Kii DaastaaN
Mujrim Ham Hii Rahey HeiN Sitam Gar Badal Gaye
Fyyazuddin Saheb, another prominent poet from Arizona, says that a poet is a dream weaver which uses words as paint brush to capture his inner feelings and portraying them on the canvass of verses. Tashie Zaheer has command to convert thoughts into words that touch the feelings of the reader or listener:
Tamaam Umr Rahey Us Kii Khoj MeN Tashie
NihaaN Tha Dil MeiN Jo Naakaam HasratouN Kii Tarha
It is said that a poet's autobiography is his poetry. This is true to Tashie Zaheer’s poetry anthology which encompasses his poetry of more than 30 years. Shaam Kii Aahat is prefaced by well known writers and poets such as Dr. Farmaan Fatehpuri, Iftikhar Arif, Dr. Wazir Agha, Dr. Anwar Sadid, Dr. Aasi Karnali, Azhar Javed, Fayyaz Tehsin, Noshi Gilani, Fayyaz Uddin Saieb and Nagesh Advadhany..
Chinese Philosopher Tao Tzu says that knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment. Self awareness is the first step in the creation process. Noshi Gilani says that Tashie Zaher is not only a sensitive poet but is endowed with the gift of deep sense of self awareness.
Tashie Zaheer was born in Lahore in December 1947. His grand father Sabir Dehlvi, a cotemporary of Jigar Muradabadi and Josh Malih Abadi, was a well known poet. Tashie’s elder brother Professor Anwar Anjum, was also a celebrated young poet who left this temporal abode at the age of 25. Migrated to US in 1976, Tashie earned BBA and MBA degrees and served in Wells Fargo Bank and Citibank in management executive positions. He resigned in 2000 while working in Citibank as E.V.P. and began his own enterprise as Business and Real Estate Group. (Return to page one)
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