ISLAMABAD: The Writers’ Cafe of the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) on Thursday held the fifteenth session of its series ‘Meet a Writer over a Cup of Tea’ with renowned comic and poet, Prof Anwar Masood.

Mr Masood recited some of his poetry- which touched on a variety of issues including marriages, relationships, old age, poverty and illness- and his friends, son and wife shared anecdotes of him.

The poems he recited included some of his more famous works including ‘Jhelum Dey Pul Tey’, ‘Ambri’ and ‘Deena’.

Many other prominent writers, poets and intellectuals participated in the event in which the works of Prof Masood were discussed.

Answering various questions, Mr Masood said he was a simple man who loves the company of common people who, he said, inspire his poetry. He said many of his muses love listening to their life stories through his poems.

He talked about a man he had met in Medina who was performing an umrah for him and also of a four-year-old girl who had recited his poem ‘Banyan’ for him. He said these were the best awards he had received for his work and said he had been successful due to his parents, grandmother and teachers.

His wife, Sadiqa Anwara said Mr Masood is a simple and humble man.

“He loves simplicity in his surroundings. He respects women a lot and has never allowed me to touch his shoes,” she said.

Mrs Masood said her husband has a special bond with his mother.

Renowned writer Fateh Mohammad Mailk said Anwar Masood had discussed many sensitive social issues in his works which do have an impact on readers.

“Anwar Masood is known as a comic poet but I believe his works include other genres as well which should also be recognised. I feel like his contribution to Persian poetry and literary critique has been neglected,” he said.

PAL Chairman Dr Mohammad Qasim Bughio said Writer’s Cafe serves as a centre where writers and the public can hold discussions and where writers, poets, artists and journalists meet to discuss contemporary literary issues over a cup of tea.

The session was also attended by Mr Masood’s son, Amaar Masood and many other writers and scholars including Kishwar Naheed, Qaisra Alvi, Hassan Abbas Raza, Maqsood Mufti and Aleem Qureshi.

Published in Dawn, March 17th, 2017