KARACHI: Senior poet Naqqash Kazmi, also chairman of Arts Council’s Adbi Committee, an office he has been holding for many years, was the guest of the evening at the Karachi Gymkhana on Thursday.

Among those who read papers on the person and poetry of Mr Kazmi included Himayat Ali Shair and Prof Afaq Siddiqui. An adulatory verse by Ms Parveen haider, describing Kazmi’s works was also read.

Himayat’s paper, because of his late arrival, was read out by Zaigham Zaidi. However, later, Himayat himself spoke and admired Kazmi’s social commitment and his views. Reflection of Nazir Akbarabadi and Faiz Ahmad Faiz could be traced in his poetry, the paper said. Kazmi’s poetry was narrative in form but was rich in poetic qualities, it added.

Kazmi, himself, defined his poetry as being divided vertically and horizontally— the former type was related with the common people and the later was linked with classics and traditions. He presented both types of ghazals and verses and was well received.

Prof Afaq Siddiqui, in his paper praised Naqqash kazmi as a multi-dimensional poet, committed to literature, particularly poetry. He compiled papers on the social issues of the Afro-Asian poets, Mr Siddiqui informed. He quoted verses from Kazmi’s collection of verses— Samunder aur chandni, Rukh-i-Sailab and Rang-i-Safer.

Mr Nasim Gandhi welcomed the guests and Zamurrad Hussain thanked every one. Mushtaq Ahmad Yusfi was also present on the stage but he did not make a speech, the meeting was well attended.—H.A.