LAHORE, April 24: Punjabi poetry book ‘Jandiyan Rutaan de Perchahwain’ by Salman Saeed was launched at the Punjab Institute of Language, Art and Culture (PILAC) on Wednesday.

The launch was organised by PILAC and presided over by writer and columnist Mushtaq Sufi.

Speakers held the book in high esteem for the simplicity of diction, rich symbolism and a beautiful portrayal of surroundings and happenings through poetry. Mr Sufi dispelled the impression that only Munir Niazi had written short poems.

“It is not correct to relate Salman Saeed with only Munir Niazi for writing short poems as Amrita Pritam and Najam Hussain and other poets have also written shorts poems,” he said, adding that nevertheless every poet who wrote short poems had his own style and identity.

He said the personality and poetry of the poet matched with each other and same could be said for most of the poets of Punjab be it Baba Farid or Shah Hussian the kind of personalities , social beings they were same kind of poetry they did. There was no contradiction in their personalities and poetry.

He said though some of the speakers said that poet had a strong element of sadness in his poetry but to him the present day social landscape the poet had portrayed was full of bitter realties which had made lives of people difficult. The present day social set up was changing, and traditions were changing.

Singer and writer Dr Amjad Pervaiz said simplicity was all about the book,; it could be read in one go. The poet, he said, had written five books of poetry but to him his latest book was the most matured one. Dr Pervaiz also sang a few selected Mahyias from the book.

Aslam Kamal called the poet a multi-dimensional one who besides being a poet was also a fine documentary maker and writer.

To playwright Hussain Shad the integral part of Salman Saeed’s poetry was deep sadness.

Ghulam Hussain Sajid called Salman Saeed the poet of short poems.

PILAC Director Dr Sughra Sadaf said that the book was like a fresh wave of spring. His poetry was simple but rich with symbolism. He is not only a poet of great substance but also an extremely good documentary maker.

Salman Saeed read out some of the poems from his book.