PESHAWAR: Speakers at a ceremony here on Tuesday said that people should admire those writers, who contributed positively to the society.

The ceremony was organised by Bacha Khan Markaz to launch the first poetry book of Pashto poet Rahimuddin Ulfat. Poets, writers, and artists attended the function.

Awami National Party general secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain, who was chief guest on the occasion, said that that unprivileged artists and literati would always be honoured and the doors of Bacha Khan Markaz would remain open to literary and cultural activities.

ANP leader says poets and artists are soft image of Pakhtuns

He said that artists and poets were the soft image of Pakhtuns. Hayat Roghani said on the occasion that Mr Ulfat had written hit songs for about 25 Pashto flicks.

“He has written countless songs. Only five albums of those hit songs have come to the fore. He has used simple diction to express romantic feelings,” he added.

Mr Roghani said that the contribution of Mr Ulfat should be recognised. “We must admire such writers and artists, who contribute positively to our society,” he added.

Sirajudin Muhklis said that songwriting and singing both were art but few knew its significance.

Laiqzada Laiq, who chaired the event, said Mr Ulfat’s maiden poetry collection carried popular numbers sung by noted Pashto singers.

He said that only a few Pashto songwriters were able to compose numbers reflective of Pakhtun culture and life and Mr Ulfat was of one of them.

Senior music composer Nazeer Gul Ustad remarked that almost every known artist had sung Mr Ulfat’s numbers because he had composed quality pieces, most befitted the situation and registered immediate impact on the audience.

He said that music directors faced no problem in composition of poetry of poets like Rahimuddin Ulfat because such songwriters knew the tunes of music and its instant effect.

Imran Ashna on the occasion said that different mediums required different expertise when it came to write songs because a poet or writer had to visualise the situation of the medium-- radio, stage, TV and film.

Ejaz Yousafzai, Fazal Momand and Master Ali Haider also spoke on the occasion. Later, folk singers including Sitara Younas, Nadia Gul, Dilraj, Ashraf Gulzar, Nazneen Anwar and Dilruba, lip-synched popular numbers of Mr Ulfat and received applause from the participants.

Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2019