KARACHI: GHALIB pencils were issued at a lively literary function yesterday (Nov 20) when the Idara-i-Yadgari-Ghalib sent around the hat and got as much as Rs 3,000 for one pencil.

The function, held at the Adamjee Science College Hall, launched the fund-raising campaign for the celebration of Ghalib’s Centenary in February next and also became its preface by throwing preliminary light on Ghalib’s contribution to our culture and poetry.

At the function, admirers of Ghalib, the most compelling of Urdu poets, displayed as much public emotion as the habitually undemonstrative addicts of subjective Urdu poetry are capable of. The function, presided over by Faiz Ahmad Faiz, had the air of a fraternal gathering and in a befitting tribute to the poet, flowered into an unscheduled Mushaira, with so many poets at hand.

Syed Mohammad Jafri read a poem specially composed for the occasion, and speeches on Ghalib were made by Prof Karrar Husain, Mr Umer Mohajir and visiting teacher of Urdu at the London School of Oriental and African Studies, Mr David Matthews.

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2018

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

ALTHOUGH dealing with the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan is a major political, security and strategic...
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...