KARACHI: The Allama Niaz Fatehpuri memorial lecture 2002 was held on Sunday under the aegis of Halqa Niaz-o-Nigar, with Hamdard Foundation and Anjuman Taraqqi-i-Urdu as its co-sponsors.

A common string was found in the three main papers on various aspects of monthly Nigar and its erudite Editor, Allama Niaz, in the shape of liberal values and enlightenment upheld in the “Niazera”

Saba Ikram in his paper “Jadeed Urdu Shaeri Aur Niaz” praised Niaz for his progressive thought, his liking for modernity and his balanced views in treating modern and classical literature on an equal plank. Niaz, he observed, tried to remove the wide gulf between the two and led the new writers on the path to equivalence.

Dr Mumtaz Ahmad referred to the short stories of Niaz, immersed in romanticism. The stories, moving around love affairs, exposed his bent of mind, Ahmad added.

Zafar Alam Zafri from Lieh gave his views on humour and satire as found in Urdu journalism. Quoting from columns in Oudh Punch, he contented that Urdu’s many hidden aspects were brought into light by humour columns. Pen sketches, cartoons and Qata’at had contributed immensely to the lighter side of literature, Zafri said.

As information technology has also made an inroad into Urdu language, a session was held on computer and information technology, its impact on Urdu’s future, the problems it might face and their possible solutions.

Razia Fasih Ahmad enumerated computer’s blessings in promotion of literature and its wider reach through the internet.

Dilating on the ‘computer revolution’, Riaz Siddiqui advised writers and educationists to fully understand the positive role of IT and derive a maximum benefit from it. He also demanded changes to Urdu language syllabus according to needs and requirements of computer.

Prof Anwar Ahmad from Multan called for the use of computer in education sector, without being over-awed by the IT. He also emphasised the needs for enlightenment in promotion of modern knowledge and a better social order.

Critic and writer Dr Salim Akhtar paid tribute to the organizers of the seminar, especially Dr Farmanpuri. As a visitor to all yearly Nigar celebrations, Dr Akhtar said he always found himself more enlightened than ever before. His views on enlightenment were supported by Najeeb Jamal from Bahawalpur.

Among the members of the presidium were Dr Manzoor Ahmad, Dr Mohammad Ali Siddiqui, Dr Peerzada Qasim, Aftab Ahmad Khan and Shaukat Siddiqui.

Dr Mohammad Ali Siddiqui praised the papers, earlier read by Dr Mumtaz Ahmad and Saba Ikram, the latter’s theme being ‘Jadeediat’ (modernity). “This term with the passage of time has been changing its shade. Every new thing at the outset is taken as ‘jadeed’ till a new development replaces it,” he said, adding that it was an important view and “we will have to go deeper into it.

Dr Peerzada Qasim, the vice-chancellor of Urdu University, vowed to work for the promotion of literature and keep his liaison with the Anjuman Taraqqi-i-Urdu.

Jamiluddin Aali said that the services of all those persons who had contributed to a genuine cause should always be remembered.

Dr Manzoor Ahmad was all praise for the commitment shown by Dr Farman in upholding the message of Niaz Fatehpuri and the spirit of enlightenment and added that such issues should also be discussed in groups and smaller meetings.

Shaukat Siddiqui recalled his first meeting with Niaz in Lucknow and briefly described his major contribution to modern literature.

Dr Farman Fatehpuri in the beginning presented his welcome address and thanked all those people and institutions who had given him a generous support.

Umrao Tariq did the compering.—Hasan Abidi