PESHAWAR: Speakers at a literary event have termed Ghani Khan as a strong voice of modernism against intolerance.

They said that being a multifaceted personality, he contributed to painting, prose, poetry and several other literary genres and also paved way for literati to craft images in innovative ways. Images in his art and literary pieces were sublime and suburb, pregnant with lofty ideas and thoughts unknown in Pashto before, they added.

The event titled ‘Da Ghani Latoon’ was arranged in a local college here on Wednesday to mark the 27th death anniversary of Ghani Khan. Students, teachers, poets and writers turned up at the event in a large number.

Arbaz Wazir, a young poet and artist, said that Ghani Khan was never short on words and unique expressions as he had more than one way of conveying his messages and chose to be different from his contemporaries.

Literati pay tributes to legendry poet on his 27th death anniversary

Rukhsana Qadeem, who was chief guest on the occasion, said that Ghani Khan’s writings and artworks impacted young generation. She said that budding poets and artists would continue drawing inspiration from his life and contributions.

She said that he would craft word images in poetry and prose and would create art pieces in colours in the ways, which he could do alone.

Sartaj Afghan, another young bard, said that Ghani Khan was a strong voice of progressive thoughts against intolerance and narrow-mildness as he was a rebel against conventional ways of expression. Hardly any other poet or artist could copy Ghani Khan because he was a mendicant and selfless and restless soul, he added.

Shazia Khatoon, Ali Rizwan and Mohammad Khan Bacha also spoke at the event. It was followed a poetry recitation session in which poets presented poetic tributes to Ghani Khan.

Meanwhile, a new Urdu poetry book titled ‘Qand-i-Kalam’ authored by Canada-based Urdu poet Khalid Rauf was launched at Khatir Ghaznavi Auditorium adjacent to Nishtar Hall here on Wednesday.

The book launching ceremony was arranged under the auspices of Peshawar chapter of Abasin Arts Council (AAC). Veteran Urdu writer Mushtaq Shabab was chief guest on the occasion while Prof Nasir Ali Syed chaired the event. Poets and writers attended the ceremony.

Prof Zubair Shah in his paper on the newly-published book said that Khalid Rauf’s poetry was a fresh wave in Urdu. He said that though his images were unique and unconventional, still his love and regard for his people and land were visible.

Engineer Atiqur Rahman remarked that Khalid Rauf’s book was adorable in several respects owing to his style and images.

Prof Nasir Ali Syed and Mushtaq Shabab also threw light on the new Urdu poetry title and billed it an adorable addition to Urdu language.

Published in Dawn, March 16th, 2023