MINGORA: Speakers at a ceremony here on Monday said that Hanif Qais was the representative poet of local culture, natural beauty and day-to-day life of Swat.

The ceremony was held in Khwazakhela by Dastar Adabi Tolana to launch Hanif Qais’s new poetry book “Chaghjai”.

Renowned poet Prof Abaseen Yousafzai, Abdur Rahim Roghanay, Laiqzada Laiq, Ibrahim Shabnam, Fazl Rabi Rahi, Fazal Mahmood Rokhan, Zafar Ali Naz, Sahmsul Iqbal Shams, Humayun Masood were present on the occasion.

The speakers said that Hanif Qais was a poet of indigenous capabilities as he described the local culture, heritage and day-to-day life in a simple and purely Swati style

Prof Attaur Rehman Atta said that his style was simple and pure Swati. “Being a resident of the scenic Swat valley, Hanif Qais has deep observation of his surroundings and natural beauty. He has absorbed all the ingredients of the natural beauty into his unconsciousness which flows lavishly in his poetical works,” he said.

Attaullah Jan, a critic and poet, said that hanif Qais was a true poet of romance, love and beauty. “The theme of his various poems in his new book describes life as attractive, beautiful and lovely. In short, his style is so simple and pure that one cannot stop reading the book,” he added.

Prof Abaseen Yousafzai, who was chief guest on the occasion, said that Hanif Qais was son of the soil and whatever he felt about his homeland he described it in his poems.

“Apart from the dazzling beauty of Swat, he also narrates the troublesome situation which the valley witnessed as well as what is essential for his homeland,” he said.

Laiqzada Laiq, another renowned poet, said that Hanif Qais was his young age friend, who was sincere and loyal not only to his land but also to his friends and relatives.

Hanif Qais thanked all the participants of the ceremony and said that he was indebted to all the poets, who came from the different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and praised his newly published book of poetry.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2019