KARACHI: Senior poet Mohsin Bhopali was second among the eminent poets whose contribution to poetry was acknowledged at the Pakistan Arts Council. A day ago, a similar function was held for Sarshar Siddiqui.

Co-sponsored by the Bhopal International Forum and the Arts Council, the meeting to honour Mr Mohsin Bhopali was presided over by Dr Farman Fatehpuri. Jamiluddin Aali, Saher Ansari and Mohammad Ahmed Sabzwari were among the speakers.

Dr. Farman, speaking highly about Mohsin, said that he was popular and by all standards eminent by his contents in and command over poetry. He was his (Farman’s) contemporary of the some age and on the same wavelength intellectually. Brevity of words was the main quality of his poetry, reflected from haikus, and short poems. His popularity was an asset for all of us, Dr. Farman said.

Jamiluddin Aali eulogized Mohsin Bhopali whose poetry was popular in all the corners of the Urdu-speaking world, among intellectuals and also commoners. He will always be remembered in the history for summing up the eventful years of Pakistan in just one line.

Manzil unhain mili jo shareek-i-safer na they (only they reached the destination, who were not among the travellers).

While praising the poet, Aali condemned his detractors for their unjust, rather envious treatment to the person and his gripping poetry.

Prof Saher Ansari recalled his association with Mohsin Bhopali spread over four decades, and said his talent in poetry was God-given, so was his popularity in the subcontinent. Mohsin was a romantic poet, yet his romanticism was infused with revolutionary ideas. Also he was an innovative poet and expressed his talent in different forms as evident from his collection of haikus. His ghazals and verses reflect the sincerity of a person who had love for all humans and respect for the contemporaries.

Naqqash Kazmi, who compared the proceedings, admired Mohsin Bhopali for his love poetry, haikus and ghazals.

Mohammad Ahmed Sabzwari praised the poet and also the sponsors of the function.

Earlier, Shagufta Farhat welcomed the guests and the audience.—HA