PESHAWAR: A poetry collection titled ‘Da Khiyal Ranrha’ composed by Mohammad Rishteen Wali Khattak received the best Pashto poetry book of the year award at a ceremony here on Sunday.

Noted poets, writers and literary critics evaluated the contents of the book and termed it a priceless addition to Pashto literary tradition. They billed the book as a valuable addition to Pashto literary treasure trove. They said that such literary works motivated spirit of inclusivity, aesthetic sense and love for peace among youth.

The poetry collection published in January last year has already acclaimed widespread reputation from literary circles and critics and has hit all Pashto bookstores for eloquent and unique expression.

The award giving ceremony was arranged under the auspices of a private Pashto TV channel where a large number of poets, writers and scholars turned up and shared their views and reviews on the book and the author. Around 50 awards were given to personalities for their best services in several categories.

Around 50 get awards at a ceremony for their services in different categories

Renowned poet Rahmat Shah Sail, who presided over the event, said that Rishteen Wali Khattak inherited the penchant for the measured words from his father Prof Rajwali Shah Khattak, a poet, research scholar and former director of Pashto Academy. Unique in expression of thoughts blended in romanticism, urge for inclusivity and love of homeland, the Pashto publication well-deserved the best book of the year award, he stated.

“The poet has beautifully displayed his creative imagination while weaving the thought of his aestheticism and deep sensibilities through poems and ghazal compositions as it also carries the legacy of the classic Pashto alongside modern trends,” he said.

Adnan Khan, director of the channel, said that the collection of Mr Khattak’s poems and ghazals reflected deep vision of his inward perspective of things around him as most poems transported the readers to a magical world when it came to sensuous imagery.

Noor Islam Sangar, a writer, viewed the book as depiction of nature on the journey to self-realisation corresponding to global outlook on human nature evolving through contemporary upheavals.

Prof Hanif Khalil, the director of Pakistan Studies at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, commented that the maiden poetry collection by Rishteen Wali with promoting the cause of objectivity and self-esteem would pave way for youth to craft poetic images with clear thoughts.

Mazhar Ali Khan, Adan Shaukat and Malak Abdullah Khan Wazir also spoke at the event.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2024