KARACHI, July 1: Literary theories like modernism, post- modernism, structuralism, and deconstruction, etc., were referred to in the article read out by Shafiq Ahmad Shafiq at the Karachi Literary Circle the other day.
The writer produced lengthy quotations from the writings of stalwarts, like Gopichand Narang and Dr Fahim Azmi, famed for their studies in modern literary theories, only to point out the contradictions in their claims.
While Ahmad Zainuddin praised Mr Shafiq for the clarity found in his article, Mahmood Wajid in his presidential discourse advised the writer to re-write the same and delete the detailed quotations.
In reply to a participant’s objection in defining the literary theories, Mr Wajid said, one should be clear in his or her mind about creative writings, which were different from the critical writings. Creating literature was one thing while understanding literature was yet another exercise and both should not be intermingled, he said.
Mr Shafiq clarified his stand as he said that he was opposed to dogmatism in literature. He said the claim of the post- modernists that the writer had no role after delivering a piece of art or the claim that the person did not exist after the process of creativity was over, was simply ridiculous. Why do those so called theorists use their names on their writings, if they didn’t exist after doing the needful?” Shafiq questioned.
Dr Mohsin, who had at the outset presented his humorous piece of essay, pointed out that highly readable literature was produced in the good old days when critical theories had not played havoc with the creativity. But, literary theories were essential to judge the worth of a creative piece of prose or poetry, another participant said adding that it must not, however, eclipse the said piece and its inherent beauty. Critic poet Ahmad Hamdani also agreed with this view.
Jamal Naqvi said that one should not demand the writer as to what and how he or she must write. He said that freedom of expression was essential for all creative activity.
In his light essay, Dr Mohsin portrayed the character of a lady very fond of talking about her wealth and the palatial house she owned. Each time she visited the physician, but her last visit was a tragic one, declaring “the end of the empire”. The poor lady this time was in bad shape, as her husband had meanwhile married another women, the sour fruit of easy money, a growing trend in our own social environment.
The simple narration with a touch of realism impressed everyone. “Dr Mohsin — author of four collections of humorous articles — is gaining maturity with the passage of time,” someone remarked.
Saba Ikram was the compere, who introduced the topics and the writers.—Hasan Abidi
