KARACHI: The third collection of Urdu ghazals and nazms by eminent poet, journalist and novelist Syed Kashif Raza titled Gul-i-Dogana (conjoined flowers) was launched at the Arts Council of Pakistan on Friday evening.

In his keynote address, critic Nasir Abbas Nayyar, who had especially flown in from Lahore to take part in the event, said Raza has earned an important place in contemporary Urdu literature. In contemporary literature, while some people acquire fame in no time, it is not easy to earn importance. This happens because of accomplishing a feat not achieved before.

Referring to one of the poet’s earlier books, Mamnu mausamon ki kitab (the book of banned seasons), he highlighted the author’s intrepid attitude towards literature. He said Raza in the foreword to his new book mentions ‘personal helicon’, a source of inspiration. Regarding the title of the book Gul-i-Dogana, he quoted Berkley: “The taste of the apple does not reside in the mouth of the eater — neither is it in the apple itself. It is in their contact.” The flowers are about two colours emerging out of one plant and at the same time they also speak of their contradictions, he articulated.

Mr Nayyar said the poems in the collection are about the aesthetics of the body. The focus on ‘kisses’ in poems requires a different discourse altogether. “If there’s context to understand Raza’s poetry, then it exists in Firaq Gorakpuri’s shairi. Firaq was the first one to draw the line between romantic and lustful poetry. According to him, romantic poetry should carry soz (plaintiveness) and nishat (joy). Gul-i-dogana has soz and nishat.”

Presiding over the launch, writer and journalist Ghazi Salahuddin said poetry is meant to be read in solitude. It was Raza’s novel Chaar Dervish Aur Aik Kachhwa (four dervishes and a tortoise) that he first read and was super impressed by. That book has been translated into German and was recently celebrated in Germany for which the author visited different cities of the country. “Poetry lessens depression. So it’s needed,” he added.

Arts Council PresidentAhmed Shah said he first met Raza at Anwer Sen Roy’s place. He is among the few well-read young writers.

Earlier, Poet Nasira Zuberi said Raza is a conscientious journalist, an intellectual and a poet. Poetry is the prominent aspect of his personality. The launched collection is his third. The most powerful element in his poems is that every page pulsates with the love for the beloved. The title of the book befits the poems in it.

Irfan Javed and Syed Jauhar Mehdi also spoke. Ambareen Hasib Amber moderated the event and Syed Kashif Raza, during the programme, recited some of his poems from the book.

Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2025