September 15, 2008	Monday	Ramazan 14, 1429

KARACHI, Sept 14: Admirers of renowned poet and broadcaster Masoodul Hasan Tabish Dehlavi have arranged to set up the Tabish Dehlavi Foundation, which will give annual awards to selected broadcasters and budding poets besides other related activities.

This announcement was made by Saud Tabish, son of the late poet, at a seminar organized by the Arts Council’s Literary Committee to mark the fourth death anniversary of Tabish Dehlavi on Sunday.

He said the formal launch of the foundation would be held on November 9, which is the birthday of the late poet. He was born as Syed Masoodul Hasan in Delhi in 1911. A speaker at the seminar, however, claimed that the late poet was born in 1905, and his contention was endorsed by Prof Sahar Ansari.

The Vice-Chancellor of Karachi University, Dr (Prof) Pirzada Qasim, said that it was always a sombre occasion to remember a departed soul, but Tabish sahib’s memory was such that it gave a feeling of warmth to those who loved him.

He said the late poet was civility and humility personified. “He taught our generation how to speak, how to behave, how to encourage the younger ones. Even if he had a dispute with someone, he would try to settle it in a very polite manner. Sometimes he would manage to convince the other of his point of view, sometimes he would accept the other’s point of view,” said Dr Qasim. “In his poetry, he used the best chosen words. He was among the most popular persons at poetry recitals and literary sittings.”

Journalist Mehmood Shaam appreciated the setting up of a foundation in the name of Tabish Dehlavi and also suggested that a website be developed where all his poetry, prose and related works are made available to his fans. He also read out a poem by Tabish that reflected the current depressing situation gripping the nation.

Prof Sahar Ansari said the late poet was very meticulous about words, their nuances and their pronunciation. He was an authority on matters of language. “Sometimes scholars disputed his view, but he would finally convince them that what he said was authenticated by well-known poets and writers,” said Prof Ansari. “For instance, he pronounced the word ‘Qulzam’ rather than the common ‘Qulzum.’ When we questioned his pronunciation, he quoted examples to prove that ‘Qulzam’ was also an accepted pronunciation.”

Prof Ansari said it was because of Tabish Dehlavi’s own research that he accepted only four or five poets, down from Mir, as having their distinct styles, and said all others were copying their seniors’ styles. He said Tabish never seemed to be in a hurry. “He had the calmness of a deep ocean,” Prof Ansari remarked.

Highlighting, the merits in Tabish’s prose, Prof Jazib Qureshi said his was a representative voice among the writers of his time. “His prose was a confluence of old and new traditions,” he added.

Prof Qureshi said Tabish was a great admirer of Faani Badayuni and wrote several essays on Faani’s poetry. He said Tabish was so objective in his writings that he also praised the literary achievements of Meera Jee, who had developed a long-standing acrimony with Tabish. The life sketches of certain luminaries of Urdu literature by Tabish are compiled in his book titled Deed baz Deed. The other personages in the book include Josh Malihabadi, Yagana Changezi, Zulfiqar Ali Bukhari, Shahid Ahmad Dehlavi, Mahirul Qadri, Mehshar Badayuni and Saba Akbarabadi.

Saud Tabish said the Arts Council lobby, where Sunday’s seminar was being held, was the same place his father’s first poetry collection – Neem Roze – was launched. Incidentally, it was the first book to be launched there in 1964. “Since then, many, many book launches and other events have been held here. Therefore, I suggest that this lobby be named after Tabish Dehlavi,” he said.

Broadcaster and columnist Saleem Yazdani and Hasan Zaheer also paid homage to the late poet.

Young poet and scholar Ambreen Haseeb Ambar’s compering of the programme was appreciable.