KARACHI: Noted writer and literary critic Prof Mumtaz Hussain was remembered at a meeting jointly organized by the Arts Council and the Irteqa Adabi Forum. Despite rains and an inclement weather, the meeting, presided over by Dr Farman Fatehpuri, was well attended.

The learned professor paid lavish tributes to the late Prof Mumtaz for his valuable contribution to the genre of criticism both ideological and its practical application on the writers, past and present. His studies on the great poet Amir Khusro and Mir Amman’s Bagh-o-Bahar are of immense value, Dr Farman said. Prof Hussain’s essay on ‘Isteara’ (The metaphor) was admired by all the imminent critics and researches, he said and recalled that the learned professor, deeply involved in literary pursuit, was always eager to open dialogue with friends on literature and culture. While during his stay in the Central Asia, the late Prof Mumtaz made a research on ‘sitar’ and other musical instruments, the great heritage of Muslim culture, Dr Farman added.

Dr Mohammad Ali Siddiqui said that the late professor was not only a literary critic but a critic of culture. He was a philosopher with an eye on history, society, languages and economic laws. He never compromised on ideology and had never hesitate to controvert with anyone, how so ever high and mighty. Referring to the modern critical theories like stricturalism and post-modernism, Dr Siddiqui termed those as the gimmicks of globalisation and said that it was the time to promote humanism, socialism and enlightement.

Prof Sahar Ansari praised Prof Mumtaz for his in-depth study on a variety of subjects and also his knowledge of literature coming from past to the present times. Prof Mumtaz was a critic of balanced and judicious mind, Prof Ansari said adding that he was the first to find out the political insight in Rashid’s poetry, till then ignored by others. Prof Mumtaz had a scientific mind and courage to withstands his ideas, he said.

Ms Zaheda Hina said that Prof Mumtaz had a fascinating sense of beauty and aesthetics. His study in the rise of imperialist power led him to believe that the language and literature had to play a major role in the struggle for freedom, and that was the reason, he disliked Hali’s submissive writings.

Mr Hameed Akhtar, a writer and Prof Mumtaz’s companion at the Progressive Writers Association in Mumbai, had sent his paper as he could not personally come from Lahore. Recalling the ‘good old days’, the paper was read out by Mr Hasan Abid Zaidi.

About the presence of valuable manuscripts and many unpublished papers, and also published material duly revised by the late professor, Mr Asif Farrukhi disclosed that he was going to publish all of these in coming days.

Mr Naqqash Kazmi observed that Prof Mumtaz had played a great role in promotion of progressive thought and nurtured a whole generation by his writings.

Mr Jamal Naqvi read out a paper on Prof Mumtaz’s writings with more than 12 books to his credit, in Urdu and English. His deep studies in Marxism and sociology and a scientific outlook, had enriched Urdu literature, universally acknowledged.

Also seated among the guests, Begum Mumtaz Hussain advised the young people not to blindly follow the agenda of imperial powers and devote a little more energy in the study of humanities. She announced a cash award for the best literary writing of the year, to the writer. Ms Ambareen Zakir, who wrote a paper on Prof Mumtaz Hussain for her Mphil received a cash award. Prof Naheed Sultan, who co-ordinated the programme thanked the guests and the audience at the end. Prof Anis Zaidi compered the proceedings.—Hasan Abidi