PESHAWAR: Poets, writers and intellectuals gathered here on Friday to appreciate a new poetry collection ‘Su Jawanda Mazal’ (the journey through lives) recently published and authored by a noted progressive Pashto poet Rashid Khattak.

Pohantoon Adabi Stori (PAS), a literary organisation comprising young university students, conducted the launching ceremony at the Maulana Abdul Qadir Hall of Pashto Academy, University of Peshawar. A large number of university students, teachers and fans of progressive poetry attended the event.

Highlighting main features of the new Pashto poetry collection and terming it an addition to progressive thought of Pashto, the speakers said that the new poetry volume would better serve the cause of promoting peace, tolerance and a pluralistic society. They said that being a fresh wind of thought the new book would inspire the young poets and writers to craft creative images and also conduct new experiences that could contribute to new sensibilities.

Speakers say writer strongly advocates peace, social justice

“Rashid Khattak is a poet of substance and always crafts new images with a purpose. Being an avid reader he has a deep understanding of the societal and global changes,” the speakers commented.

Bahar Wazir, a young PhD scholar at the University of Peshawar presented a brief introduction of Rashid Khattak. He said that Mr Khattak had enriched the Pashto literature by rendering the ‘Alchemist’ and the ‘Tales of Italy’ from English into Pashto and novel of an Afghan writer, Saaduddin Shapoon, into Urdu. He said that Mr Khattak being a journalist, translator, prose writer and poet had excelled in all fields.

Abaseen Yousafzai, chief of PAS, said that Mr Khattak’s literary style of expression stemmed from his sharp vision and imaginative flight.

He said that poetry for Mr Khattak had always remained a powerful vehicle of expression to give vent to public sentiments along with romantic tones and undertones. He said that progressive poetry in Pashto still enjoyed widespread reputation for being expressive of substantial change in the society and objective criticism of class-ridden ideology. “We know Rashid Khattak is a strong voice for advocating peace, social justice and maintaining quality in crafting progressive thoughts,” Mr Yousafzai remarked.

Senior poet Samina Qadir while speaking as chief guest on the occasion said that women writers found little space in literature because of our so-called social taboos. She said that female writers had great talent in them and should be encouraged at all levels. “I appreciate Rashid Khattak for being among those literati who dedicated time and money for promoting a social cause,” she said. Research scholar Noorul Amin Yousafzai pointed out that Mr Khattak’s first poetry collection had also lent a romantic charm to the treasure trove of modern Pashto thought and his recent book would prove a crash course to motivate the upcoming young bards.

Prof Sher Zaman Seemab, Prof Zar Mohammad Sangar and Tayyabullah Khan also spoke at the function while Umar Ali Umar Khattak rendered one of Rashid Khattak’s ghazals in his velvety voice. Later, a mushaira was also held in which the poets presented their pieces.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2017