ISLAMABAD, Nov 8: Tributes were paid to eminent Urdu poet Jaun Elia on his second death anniversary observed at the Civil Junction here on Monday.

Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) Chairman Iftikhar Arif presided over a literary function held in this regard. The function was attended by a large number of intellectuals and writers of the federal capital. Prof Khwaja Masud was also present on the occasion.

The speakers, while paying tributes to the late poet, recalled him as a true icon and symbol of Urdu's literary legacy.

Iftikhar Arif said Jaun Elia possessed mastery over Arabic and Persian literary disciplines. His poetry carried a distinctive mark and few could imitate his style or diction.

He said a number of students stealthily took away the register of Jaun's poems, but it was difficult for them to pass the poems as their own since his poetry demanded a connection with high poetical traditions of knowledge and wisdom.

He has inherited this quality from his father Allama Shafiq Elia, one of the great authorities on Hebrew language in the sub- continent, Mr Arif said.

Hence, the stolen poems could not be passed on by others as their own and were not included in two of Jaun's famous poetic collections Shayed and Yani.

The poet had a strong distaste for mediocrity which he shunned, Mr Arif said. He narrated an incident in which a dignitary who was presiding over a poetry recital (Mushaira) had to go away while the session was underway.

Jaun Elia took umbrage at this and said respect should be bestowed only on those who were worthy and not on pedestrians.

Likewise, Jaun spoke openly against suppression. In one of his poems written after East Pakistan debacle, he expressed his indignation at the national humiliation.

He also raised serious questions pertinent to the well being of the society, though personally, the poet was averse to being bound by any societal traditions, Mr Arif said.

Commenting on a documentary Bol Kirdar Ke Faqat Do Bol prepared by Pirzada Sulaiman after the poet's death, the PAL chairman said he had seen few documentaries that comprised so many references from original sources. However, he suggested adding some biographical details.

In the documentary, a number of intellectuals, including Dr M.A. Siddiqui and Obaidullah Beg, noted poet Peerzada Qasim, and two daughters of the late poet presented their estimate of Jaun Elia.

Dr Siddiqui said despite his popularity among his contemporaries, Jon Elia did not receive due recognition which his stature as poet demanded. Peerzada Qasim said few critics were able to measure up to his work.

Obaidullah Beg said it was not easy to comprehend the underlying meaning of Jaun's poetry since it was immersed in philosophy and not easily intelligible to a person of average understanding.

Quite a few commentators compared Jaun Elia to T.S. Eliot and also to Keats.