KARACHI: Syed Asad Raza, a young poet, launched his ascent poetry collection at the Pakistan Arts Council on Wednesday under the aegis of the Idara-i-Bazm-i-Ilmo Danish. Mr Raza, a commerce graduate, at present employed with a Bank inherited poetry from his father. The family came over to Pakistan from Amroha (UP) after the partition. Among those who spoke about the person and poetry of Syed Asad Raza included Rafiq Anjum, who also presided over the function.

Fatema Surayya Bajya who was the special guest, Khalid Mumtaz an advocate, poet Naqqah Kazmi, S Sohail Abedi, Shireen Naqvi, Dr Qaiser Sajjad, M. Saeed Qureshi, and Rizwan Eidhi.

They admired the poet as a loving and sincere person and his poetry wrapped in romantic ideas. The title of the poetry collection was to some people quite unfamiliar, rather queer — ‘Aur Asad maen muskra doon’.

collection of plays: A collection of plays by noted poet Hemayat Ali Shaer was launched at the Pakistan Arts Council on Monday.

‘Hemayat Ali Shaer Ke Dramey’ compiled by Anwer Jabeen Qureshi carried six radio plays and two stage plays presented by the council’s drama committee.

Dr Anwar Sajjad and Tajdar Aadil with their long time association and professional expertise spoke on the intricacies of the drama and admired Shaer for his plays.

Mr Qureshi, the compiler of the book had earlier presented a collection of 100 film-songs by Shaer under the aegis of Talent Guild.

Shaer, in an introduction to the book, recalled his early years at Usmania Aurangabad (this for the state of Decan) when he was a budding talent at the stage. And, after partition, he worked under the guidance of the legendary Z.A. Bokhari for Radio Pakistan from 1951 to 54.

A poet, a literary critic and also a drama and film producer, Shaer proved his mettle in the realm of art, speakers said.

Tajdar Adil remembered his student days when he was highly impressed by Hemayat Ali Shaer as a drama voice and his skill in producing radio plays.

Ibrahim Nafees, a senior drama producer and well-versed in the art of state management also admired Shaer, a poet with a lot of imagination and practical knowledge, required for stage plays.

Mohammad Ayyub, chairman Drama Committee thanked the guests.—HA