KARACHI: The loss of Intizar Husain, a towering figure in the realm of Urdu literature, is irreparable and to mark his first death anniversary people from the literary world gathered to pay homage to his craft and his person at the Arts Council on Thursday.

Zehra Nigah, an eminent poet and a close friend of Intizar sahib, spoke about the rapport and philosophical and literary discussions the two usually shared. However, instead of commenting on his craft, she spoke about a more intimate side to Intizar sahib. Back in 2013, Intizar

sahib was among the 10 finalists nominated for the Man Booker International Prize, and Ms Nigah was there to witness that moment, which she recalled with great pride.

“I can never forget the evening when we were going to attend the Booker Prize ceremony. We had gathered at Asif Farrukhi’s house and each and every person present there was extremely happy. We were aware that it was not just winning of the award that’s the achievement, but to be selected among such worthy names was in itself a feat. Intizar sahib was also very happy.”

She also recalled how the debates she would have with Intizar sahib mostly centred on the Taraqqi Pasand writers, with her in their favour and he against them.

She even recited a few verses from her poetry in Intizar sahib’s remembrance, one of which was:

Baithey baithey kaisa dil ghabra jaata hai

Jaaney waalon ka jaana yaad ajaata hai

Writer and critic Asif Farrukhi also shared several anecdotes about his many interactions with Intizar sahib.

Farrukhi recalled how Intizar sahib would make sure to attend every literary conference and even in the year of his death he had planned to attend the Karachi Literature Festival and would then visit Delhi in March.

“Intizar sahib said this year will be my last visit to Delhi, so I must greet her one last time,” Farrukhi recalled.

“He may have departed but Intizar sahib is still among us. As long as our language survives, those who speak it prevail, Urdu tehzeeb, Pakistan’s literature and culture progress, Intizar sahib will prevail because he has been and will always be very closely weaved into the very fabric of all these institutions.”

Poet, short story writer and playwright Asad Mohammad Khan was also present and lamented the loss of the great man. He recalled how each time he met

Intizar sahib, he would repeat one statement in particular; “Whatever you do, keep writing.”

What Intizar sahib has written in the field of the Urdu afsana will always continue enriching this literary genre, and Asad Mohammad Khan expressed the hope that this would continue in the coming years.

Other speakers included Intizar sahib’s niece Naseem Zehra and nephew Shabahat Husain, who praised his loving nature and recalled fond memories of spending their childhood and youth with him.

Ahmed Shah of the Arts Council spoke about Intizar sahib’s eternal love for the city of Lahore to which he felt he truly belonged. The recent loss of men like Intizar sahib and novelist and short story writer Abdullah Hussain, among many others, he said, had left a very big vacuum in the world of Urdu literature.

He also announced a gathering to celebrate the life and work of Fatima Surayya Bajia at the Arts Council on Feb 9.

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2017