ISLAMABAD, Feb 18: Art is not subservient to any political ideology but a great work of art is impossible unless one has a deep sense of history and politics, said poet Harris Khalique at an evening organized by the Islamabad Cultural Forum to discuss his poetry and political views.

The overall theme was the relationship between life, literature and politics and the poet was the main speaker. Prof Khwaja Masud, Ashfaq Saleem Mirza, Usman Qazi, Naeem Mirza, Fozia Tanveer and Arshad Bhatti also participated in the event.

Introducing the poet, Noor Fatima said that he was one of the few bilingual South Asians poets and writers recognized internationally. Harris writes in both Urdu and English and has seven collections of poetry and a few prose publications to his credit.

Ashfaq Saleem Mirza did a comprehensive analysis of Harris Khalique’s personality, socialist ideals and poetry.

He said Harris had found it hard to align his nonconformist self with the society around him. “In all facets of personal and public life, he remains a nomad who struggles to settle down but then gives in to his nature and leaves for the next destination, he said, adding, “The expression of inner contradictions and uninhibited self is more evident in his English work.”

He said Harris Khalique’s Urdu work was a blend of modernity, tradition and progressivism.

Harris Khalique was of the view that there was an innate link between literature and politics because they were products of an evolved human society where `word’ and `voice’ were the key forms of expression.