LAHORE: A poetry sitting was held at Alhamra Art Centre on Tuesday in the memory of celebrated poet Munir Niazi on his 91st birth anniversary.

A birthday cake was also cut celebrating one of the most powerful poets from Punjab. The cake was cut by Lahore Arts Council Executive Director Athar Ali Khan, his predecessor retired Capt Atta Muhammad, Munir Niazi’s wife Naheed, Dr Khurshid Rizvi, Dr Kanwal Feroze and Niaz Hussain Lakhwera.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Athar Ali Khan lauded the ceremony and said he was fortunate to be part of such a novel gathering of literary personalities. The council celebrated Mr Niazi’s birthday with great zeal every year, he added.

The poetry sitting was conducted by poet Saadullah Shah. The poets who recited their own and Munir Niazi’s work included Najeeb Ahmed, Nasir Bashir, Neelma Durrani, Anmol Gohar, Kanwal Feroze, Atta Muhammad, Abdul Majeed, Iqtadar Javed, Zubaida Haider, Farasat Bukhari, Afzal Paras, Iqbal Rahi and others.

Speakers paid rich tributes to Munir Niazi and said that he had a unique way of recitation and his metaphors and similes were extraordinary.

Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2019