30 September 2004	Thursday	14 Shaban 1425

KARACHI, Sept 29: A condolence meeting for Tabish Dehlavi and Ashfaq Ahmed was held at the Arts Committee on Monday. The speakers included Dr Aslam Farrukhi, Naem Meerathi, Sarshar Siddiqui and a large number of their admirers.

As Imdad Nizami and Wasil Usmani while speaking highly about Tabish Saheb complained about the small number of audience, Dr Farrukhi explained that no prior announcement of the meeting was carried by the papers, which resulted in the low attendance.

Dr Farrukhi, who had four decades of association with Tabish Dehlavi and great liking for each other, said that he was an authority on language, a great ghazal poet and a man of refined culture who had extreme respect for Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia and other sages. He further said that late Ashfaq Ahmad should not be taken just a 'radio man'. Association with broadcasting and sufi cult were common traits between him and Tabish Saheb.

Tabish Dehlavi's article on Fain Badayooni was a fine piece of literature. Though much admired by critics for his poetry, Tabish Saheb was not properly acknowledged for his chaste prose.

Dr Farrukhi recited the verse a 'manqabat' in praise of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia which Tabish Saheb had recently composed on his 700th anniversary. He also read out a 'Qata-Tareekh' on the death of Tabish Dehlavi.

Sarshar Siddiqui said that Tabish Dehlavi was the last representative poet of Urdu ghazal. Muslim Shamim said that Urdu literature had become poorer as Tabish Saheb had gone. Anwar Ahmad Zai said that Tabish Saheb was a role model for all of us.

Others who spoke on the occasion included Wasil Usmani, Khumar Narvi and Hasan Rizvi. Saud Tabish, Tabish Dehlavi's only son spoke about his father's simple lifestyle, his disciplined ways, his courage and boldness in giving right opinion against heavy odds and his poetry.

Naeem Meerathi, who had compiled a book on the life and poetry of Tabish Dehlavi in his lifetime, spoke briefly and said: "He gave us so much knowledge and guidance that I did not receive even from my father." Naqqash Kazmi conducted the proceedings.