Memories
Memories
Memories of Fazal Manzil: A Magical Journey Through Warmth and Affection
The name Fazal Manzil conjures up for me a fairy tale place full of warmth, affection and good cheer! It is one of my most cherished memories of my childhood and a place I venerate because it was my mother’s ancestral home where she lived with her parents and siblings and their children.
I remember visiting it during my winter vacations for about a week each year and I remember how I looked forward to it. All four of my Mamoons with their combined force of 33 children lived in Fazal Manzil, a haveli consisting of about 60/70 rooms. It was constructed by my Nana Abdul Aziz’s father called Fazal Din, after whom the haveli was named.
It was a magical place for me, it was a dream come true! I went from my home in Lahore, where I was an only child and walked into this huge haveli with children of all ages and sizes coming out of every room with whom I could spend time and play and where I was thoroughly pampered by all my aunts, uncles and cousins! What a delight it was, having gol guppas to our hearts’ content, brought by Majid Mamoon; going to the Lucky Circus with him where the Lady, riding the bike in the Death Well, was his friend; playing hide and seek in the umpteen rooms, flying paper Chinese lanterns in the night; having special parathas made by Bari Maaami; making secret plans to go to the cinema, which never came to fruition; having wrestling matches with my skinny cousin Nasreen who threw over my plump self like a rag doll!
Thank you Fazal Manzil and all its inmates who gave me the reservoir of love out of which I have been able to share with all the others who have been part of my life’s journey!
By: Shama Khaliq
Mar 15th 2024
Fazal Manzil Kay Na’am
In the heart of Imam Sahib
Stands a haveli called, Fazal Manzil
It is filled with sweet & bitter memories, mysteries, and some amazing histories
The pioneer of Fazal Manzil was a man called, Fazal Din
Whose charisma was much greater than a bright beam
He disciplined his grandchildren by teaching them the Quran & its Deen
His son was Abdul Aziz, who was everyone’s Baba Ji
He was hard to please
But enjoyed eating a pure cottage cheese
Baba Ji had a great plan
He made sure that all lived as a clan
And ensured that the family fights had an absolute ban
The Fazalites were fond of a fair complexion
Rather a tan
Men adored women like Diane & Suzane
Women with ordinary looks were automatically their behin
They enjoyed sitting in the sehin
And listened to Tan Sa’ an
Bhaya Ji’s creativity and witty personality
Made him sweet like a strawberry jam
PK Club was his little lamb
Pa Billa’s dashing looks can be found in Barbara Carltand’s book
Dada Latif was a man with the utmost class
His exams were difficult to pass
He taught brilliant students among the mass
Who did much better than a filmy Devdas
Taya Barkat was a very lucky man
He married not once, twice, but thrice
His last wife turned out to be very wise
Chacha Rehmat had his own galore
His heart was in Sialkot not in Lahore
Chacha Majeed was surrounded by children
Equality was something that he preached
He had five kids from his two wives each
Phopho Noor & Phopho Feroza were Baba Ji ki dolls
Loved by all
Zarina apa was the role model
A KC head girl, who received a gold medal
Tota was tall and Mithu was always on call
Weeda bhai was the pillar of the Fazalites
He was in the limelight
He worked very hard to make his future bright
Guddu, Qaiser, Guddo, Golla, & Papiya kept Weeda bhai updated day & night
Pinnie, Nasreen, Acha, Amjad, & Kala were never out of sight
Pa Asif & Abbas, had their shrine
They were no less than a red vine
Apa Akhtar left the world in no time
Pa Asadi, Ahsan, & Arif were macho brothers of their time
Pa Shukat, Shafqat, Taja, Kishu, Qamari, Kao, & Mutu
All loved to dine
Shama, Zeb, & Zeenat had an educated mind
Apa Farrukh, Farida & Jata were very kind
The grandchildren are waiting in line
To make their ancestral roots continue to thrive & shine
Thanks to the Global Fazal Manzil Group admins, Ahmed, Anjum, Haider, Hassan, Fahad, & Qasim for reconnecting us all after a very long time.
By: Amoo Jee
3/25/2024
Memories of Fazal Manzil: A Magical Journey Through Time
I close my eyes thinking of my earliest childhood memories, found myself knocking at Asif chacha’s door asking for an ice block for my Mum’s Iftar .
By: Aaiza Qaiser
Apr 2nd 2024
Flashback and Reflection!
1975-1982
Trips to Fazal Manzil, Sialkot
In the early years, visits to Fazal Manzil were quite like a chapter out of ‘Famous Five’ or Amber Nag Maria mystery series; full of adventure. It tickled a child’s imagination causing so many exciting themes to come to life.
‘Gol Kamra’ in its uniqueness deserves a special mention here, as do the numerous, mysterious staircases found at unexpected spots, leading to unaquainted spaces that only a child’s mind could define. The curiosity to know those pathways still lives in my heart, as it yearns to unlock the Haveli’s glorious spread.
A particularly vivid memory relates to the terrace above Asif Chachas portion which had a small crack in it. Underneath, one could see an empty room surrounded by blue walls. To me, it was a place where spirits lived, eager to capture children that stepped out of line. I can still recall the thrills associated with peeping through the crack.
Another interesting and unexplored area was the one on right side of the informal entrance, supposedly where Bhayya chacha used to live. At that time, it was masked by trees and out of bounds, making it all the more intriguing.
The central courtyard (where most Mehendis took place) was a special place held close to my heart. I loved the windows of ‘Baithak’ looking over it from above.
Also, it was at this place, that a peculiar sense prevailed, suggesting this was where our ancestors (specifically Abbaji) found inexplicable peace, by just being there; it was a place where happy memories were shared amongst family members.
Now, at this stage in life, my heart understands a bit better; It knows precisely why it was so, and why we reconnected after so many years. It was always the great Fazal Manzil that pulled everyone back home…to make them converge, unite, appreciate and celebrate each other!
…And as I say this, I almost see great great Dada Fazal Din gently nod and smile from the heavens above 🙂
By: Muneeza
April 15, 2024
