KARACHI, Dec 8: The Eid Milan party at the Sadequain Institute of Art, hosted by the Daira-i-Adab-o-Saqafat, turned into an evening with humorists. Prose writers were found in low key and the poets enthralled the audience.

After the recital of a Hamd by Iqbal Majeedi, Mr Zafar Mohiuddin read out his introductory essay, a piece of satire narrating the social decline in the people’s behaviour, specially the opportunism of the ruling elite. Later, Prof Dur-i-Shahwar Qadri and Mohammad Azmatullah presented their humorous essays.

Among the poets, Amirul Islam Hashmi stole the show. His social realism as expressed in common people’s behaviour was superb. Among others who recited their verses included Anwaar Azmi, Sarwatullah Qadri, Haider Husnain Jaleesi and Ziaul Haq Qasmi. Mr Jaleesi lampooned the Indian prime minister but his poetry did not click, since unsuited to the occasion. Mr Qasmi, a known humour poet, did not present anything new. He, however, brightened the evening with some bits of humour.

Mr Azher Hasan Siddiqui presided over the deliberation. He was expected to read his humorous column but kept it for some other occasion. In return, he admired the quality of the prose and poetry pieces presented by the writers.

As the date of the elections of the Art Council’s office- bearers was coming closer and the atmosphere was rife with the campaigning and persuasions for this panel or that panel, a large number of the members of Daira-i-Adab-o-Saqafat expressed their loyalty with one panel, leaving others to side with the other panel.—HA