LAHORE, March 10: A collection of short stories by celebrated writer Bapsi Sidhwa ‘Their Language of Love’ and Urdu translation of her novel Crow Eaters ‘Jangalwala Sahib’ were launched at a local hotel on The Mall on Sunday.

The launch was organised by Ilqa Publications, an imprint of Readings, Lahore.

It was a well-attended book launch. A good number of writers and poets came to the occasion. Actress and anchor Nadia Jamil moderated the evening which was presided over by Justice Javed Iqbal (retired). The other distinguished speakers were Professor Shaista Sirajudin, Khalid Ahmed, Mustansar Husain Tarar, Intizar Husain and Bano Qudsia.

The event began with readings. Nadia Jamil read excerpts from ‘Their Language of Love’, followed by Advocate Shahid Usman who read two paragraphs from ‘Jangalwala Sahib’.

Punjab University English Department former chairperson Prof Shaista Sirajudin said though a number of books in English were being published in Pakistan, all were not qualitative. She said English literature was being marketed in Pakistan. However, Sidhwa’s writings did not fall in this category for she was a much older and celebrated writer. The writers in the West were also responsible for this marketing because one could frequently find their comments on different books. “I just wonder how much serious study of literature is going on,” She posed a question.

She said narratives in Sidhwa’s writings were accessible to the reader of this part of the world. “The writer makes you look inward though her writings are not introvert.”

Ms Sirajudin said Sidhwa had contributed a great deal to literature. “There is an element of nostalgia in her works. She takes us back to a Lahore which is lost now.”

Political analyst Khalid Ahmed regretted the Badami Bagh incident, saying things were going from bad to worse.

Justice Javed Iqbal (retired) said: “Bapsi Sidhwa is our asset. She has introduced Pakistan to the international level.”

Mr Iqbal said he was proud of Sidhwa for her rich contribution to literature. Referring to the Badami Bagh incident, he urged the government to launch a department of comparative religions studies in universities, so that there could be an understanding of different religions. “Students need to study this subject.”

Mustansar Husain Tarar read a paper on the writer. Bano Qudsia held the writer in high esteem and said Sidhwa had unveiled bitter realities in her works.

Intizar Husain said in Urdu literature much had been said about Islamic, Hindu and Buddh cultures, however, not much was known about Parsi culture before the writings by Sidhwa.

In the end, Bapsi Sidhwa thanked the audience and lamented the Badami Bagh incident. “Actually there are reasons not to smile this day otherwise I have had so much praise bestowed on me.”

‘Their Language of Love’ is the first-ever collection of short stories by Bapsi Sidhwa.