Apart from modern short stories, dramas and Nazms, Awaz Sayeed made his place in Urdu literature in the realm of shaqsi Khaka Nigari (Personal sketches or Pen-portraits) through his ‘Khake’.

Literary critics believe that Awaz Sayeed stands out as an exceptional Urdu writer who meets all the criteria for the genre of personal sketching, which includes keen observation, psychological insight, realism, and the skill to convey maximum meaning with minimal words. Awaz Sayeed’s sketches are praised for their authenticity, humour, and the ability to bring personalities to life without embellishment or distortion.

In his book, ‘Khake’, which was initially published in 1985, Awaz Sayeed captures the cultural and literary milieu of Hyderabad Deccan through portraits of its notable literary figures such as Maqdoom Mohiuddin, Alam Khundmeri, Kazi Saleem, Aziz Qaisi, Jeelani Bano, Mughni Tabassum, Waheed Akhtar, Shahryaar and others in his own ingenious and inimitable style.

The second reprint of the book was published in June 2006 by his son, Dr Ausaf Sayeed, in association with the Urdu Academy in Jeddah. The book was released by Shri Arjun Singh, the then Minister of Human Resource Development, Government of India, during a special function held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Read the review of ‘Khake’ in Arab News

Read Mushfiq Khwaja’s article on ‘Khake’