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Increasing the spread of Persian By Hasan Abidi THIS month’s sitting of the journal Tulu-i-Afkar, held last Saturday, became suite tedious as story reading was combined with a mushaira. Around 30 poets were present, and the mushaira took some time. The story reading was done by Qaiser Saleem, well-known writer and also translator of several novels. He read out his story Heran Kund. A discussion followed, and just as it wound up, the director-general of the Khana-i-Farhang-i-Iran, Dr Mohammad Mehdi Tawassuli, came to join the assembly. With his consent, it was announced that the teaching of Persian would start next month at the Aiwan-i-Adab; the office of Tulu-i-Afkar. Classes will be held thrice a week in the evening. A one-year certificate course, divided into four quarters, will be conducted by Dr Hussain Jaafer Halim. This arrangement has been made for the convenience of students residing in Nazimabad and adjoining areas, as the Iranian cultural centre itself is located in Clifton. Dr Tawassuli, in brief remarks, said poetry was the very soul of culture. He said what was essential in life was love and respect for all, and poetry reflected these feelings. Among those who took part in the mushaira were Dr Ahmar Rifai, Zaki Usmani, Prof Najmul Huda, Rehman Khawar, Parveen Haider, Tashna Barelvi, Sadiq Madhosh and Shariq Balyavi. Dr Sardar Zaidi recited some haikus and a prose poem. Hussain Anjum and Dr Halim recited ghazals in Persian. Ausat Jafery’s ghazal with a political touch was admired by the audience. A couple of couplets follow: Bach nekalnay ki koi raah to dekho yaaro Us ke tarkash mein hain sub teer nishaney waley Raks karti hoi kath putlian sub dekhtay hein Chhup ke baithain hain kahin dor helanay waley * * * * * WRITER and editor Sajjad Naqvi’s presence in the city was enough for the Fiction Group to hold a sitting with him and discuss the merits of the recently published special number of the journal Kaghzi Pairahan on the works of Dr Wazir Agha. The journal is edited by Shahid Shaidai but Sajjad Naqvi, because of his life-long association with Dr Wazir Agha and as co-editor of the monthly Auraq, is always held responsible for whatever is published about Dr Agha — such is the intellectual affinity between the two. So, the literary merit of the special number and Dr Agha’s contribution to literature — in poetry, criticism and prose — were thoroughly discussed. Ahmad Hamdani, an established progressive writer, despite his ideological differences with Dr Agha, presided over the proceedings. Some years back, he had written a fairly balanced article on Dr Agha, which was appreciated by the latter also. Saba Ikram commented on the articles published in Tulu-i-Afkar and other monthly publications on ghazals, poems, critical essays and prose pieces of Wazir Agha. The articles published in the special number were described as ‘impressive’ but they did not meet the expectations of the readers. Sajjad Naqvi admired the getup of the special number and described himself satisfied with the coverage, although his own article on Dr Agha had not been included. Dr Mohsin said the journal provided good reading material, but Mahmood Wajid, himself editor of a journal, did not find the editing, selection and display of the articles as being up to the mark. He said he held Dr Agha in high esteem as a poet and literary critic, but these qualities were not fully reflected in the journal. Ahmad Zainuddin had earlier commented favourably on the journal. Ali Haider Malik, who was conducting the proceedings, said the journal carried some good articles, although some papers from the “opposite side” should also have been included. He advised the participants to thoroughly read the journal before commenting on its contents. Ahmed Hamdani had not received the journal under discussion, so he did not offer any comment. However, after persistent questioning by Malik about the academic work and poetry of Dr Agha, he paid him rich complements and recalled the article he had written some years back. Now a word about Sajjad Naqvi. Editing and compilation are his forte. Urdu shaeri ka mezaj as viewed by contemporaries (1967) is one of his notable books. He compiled Dr Agha’s Maqalaat in 1979, a selection of modern essays in 1989, and Tanqeedi Maqalaat by Dr Agha in 1994-95. He also co-edited a collection of modern poetry in 1972. An autobiography is under print. * * * * * ‘URDU poetry in present times’ was the subject discussed at the literary forum of Independent Writers last week. Prof Saher Ansari, in his presidential discourse, observed that a trend of good poetry mingled with poor stuff was found in today’s literature. But it should be no cause for total dejection as these ups and downs were normal. What was disturbing that Urdu poetry was fast losing readers and genuine critics, he said. Sarwar Javed outlined a dismal picture of the literary scene, especially poetry, and said the decline in literary standards began around two decades back and perhaps Faiz Ahmed Faiz was the last of the luminaries. The poets of our period were, sadly, victims of inexperience and uninspired thinking. Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)
By Hasan Abidi
THIS month’s sitting of the journal Tulu-i-Afkar, held last Saturday, became suite tedious as story reading was combined with a mushaira. Around 30 poets were present, and the mushaira took some time.
