ISLAMABAD: Literary figures from the twin cities showered tributes on Himayat Ali Shaer, a renowned Urdu poet, writer, broadcaster, teacher and journalist who died on July 16 in Toronto, Canada, at the age of 93.

The reference was organized by Zavia, a literary organization, at the National Language Promotion Department and was attended by a large number of writers, poets, broadcasters and artists.

Poet Mehboob Zafar conducted the event and played an audio message from Buland Iqbal, Shaer’s son, who lives in Toronto.

Mr Zafar spoke about the life and work of the poet and said with the passing of Himayat Ali Shaer, society has become more bankrupt intellectually.

“He was a multifaceted personality, a cultured man who remained committed to the cause of working class and peasants as a progressive poet,” noted poet and intellectual Iftikhar Arif, who presided over the event.

Shaer was inspired by the Telengana peasant movement against autocratic rule of the nizam and the feudal system of the erstwhile Hyderabad state which was spearheaded by revolutionary poet Makhdoom Mohiyuddin in the Telengana region during 1946-51, he recalled.

“The movement and Makhdoom have had a great impact on Himayat Ali Shaer’s personality, progressive ideals and poetry,” Mr Arif said.

He also recalled Shaer’s role in creating harmony among people of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, particularly writers and poets of Urdu and Sindhi, during his stay in Hyderabad, Sindh.

During the language conflict in the 1970s, Shaer along with Afaq Siddiqui, Saeed Raza Saeed, Jamal Abro, Shaikh Ayaz and Tanveer Abbasi played a major role in creating ethnic harmony and promoting progressive ideals through their work.

He immersed himself in the rich culture and mystic traditions of Sindh, he said.

About his literary work, Mr Arif said Shaer’s poetic autobiography narrating his early life at Aurangabad, India, work at All India Radio Deccan and migration to Karachi is a masterpiece.

Other speakers, including Professor Ehsan Akbar, Jalil Aali, Mohammad Shahid Hamid, Farrukh Jamal, Hafeez Khan as well as broadcasters Ather Waqar Azeem and Khawaja Najamul Hassan spoke about the various facets of Shaer’s persona as a poet, teacher, broadcaster, playwright, filmmaker, and songwriter.

Very few people know that Shaer started his career as fiction writer, said Mr Hamid. He was one of those personalities who left an indelible mark on our cultural life, he added.

Hafeez Khan attributed the golden era of the Pakistani film industry to Shaer and other great men of letters, while Ehsan Akbar said although Shaer was a progressive poet, he did not confine himself in a particular formula or ideology.

Producer Khwaja Najamul Hassan recalled his fond memories with Shaer during their Pakistan Television days.

Shaer wrote about 100 songs for films including Stage in India, Daman, Anchal, Lori. Several of his songs such as Na Chura Sakogay and Jab Raat Dhale Tum Yaad Aaye became instant classics.

He also produced his own films, including Jab Se Dekha Hai Tumhe, Dil Ne Tujhe Maan Liya, Daaman, Ek Tera Sahara, Kaneez, Maire Mehboob, Tasveer and Khilona.

Mr Hassan spoke about Shaer’s film Lori, starring Mohammad Ali, Zeba and Santosh Kumar. He also mentioned his television programmes, such as Ghazal Us Nay Chheri, Khushboo Ka Safar, Mohabbaton Kay Safer and Lub Aazad.

Classic songs penned by Shaer were also performed by Sana, a musician, and Afzaal Latifi, a stage artist. They included Jub Bhee Chahain Ik Nayay Sanchay Mein Dhal Jatay Hein Log, Tujh Ko Maaloom Nahin Tujah Ko Bhala Kia Maaloom and Na Chhura Sako Gay Daman.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2019