KARACHI, Sept 23: Intellectuals and poets paid rich tributes to eminent poet Tabish Dehlavi at a programme organised at the Arts Council here on Sunday to mark his third death anniversary.

The programme, organised by the literary committee of the Arts Council, was presided over by Dr Pirzada Qasim while Prof Afaq Siddiqui was the Chief Guest.

Syed Masoodul Hassan Tabish, known as Tabish Dehlavi, was born in Delhi in 1911 and passed his Bachelor of Arts examination from the University of Karachi in 1958. His first poetry collection, Neemroz, was published in 1963, which was followed by Chiragh-i-Sehra in 1982, Ghubar-i-Anjum and Taqdees in 1984, Deed Bazdeed in 1989, Mah-i-Shikasta in 1993 and Dhoop Chhaon in 1996.

Speakers said Tabish was the epitome of culture and etiquettes who had a great memory and never bore grudges, even against his opponents. They said Tabish was an important pillar of the traditions and civilization of the subcontinent and that he was an elegant figure with vision. He wrote poems, ghazals and memoirs and worked as a newscaster, but ghazal was the cardinal reference of his identity.

Tabish held a distinguished position amongst his cotemporaries and ranks high as a linguist. He gave new dimensions and directions to ancient words and their meanings. He dominated the mushairas he attended, they said.

Known as Masood Tabish in the field of broadcasting, he was a newscaster par excellence and ruled the airwaves for several decades. In the post-1947 period he was regarded as the new country’s most prominent newscaster.

He could justifiably claim that he had announced many breaking news events. On June 3, 1947, he managed to raise the slogan of ‘Pakistan Zindabad,’ which was not in the text, on the airwaves just after Quaid-i-Azam’s speech.

Dr Pirzada Qasim said Tabish’s poetry was a beautiful combination of tradition and modernism. “One could find all the colours of life and customs in his poetry,” he said.

“He was a committed pupil of Fani Badayuni, whose style is evidently inspired by Fani and Ghalib,” said Dr Qasim, adding that Tabish had substance in his timeless poetry, which gave unlimited directions and meanings to words and ideas that set his own style and diction in the field of poetry.

Despite living in the modern era, Tabish remained associated with tradition and remained committed to classical expressions and constructions, he added.

“He was the real torchbearer of the traditions of Delhi and he started winning appreciation in his youth and proved his prowess at the literary gatherings of Delhi as well,” said Prof Afaq Siddiqui.

Prof Sehar Ansari said although Tabish was a dyed-in-the-wool pupil of Fani, he never allowed the entry of pessimism and gloom into his poetry.

Poet Sarwar Javed said Tabish set standards woven with tradition and classicism.

Mr Javed said contemplation in Tabish’s poetry remained at the optimum, while his personality and poetry gave a sense of sacredness.

Poet Shahida Hassan said that Tabish was a good teacher as well for budding poets who commanded respect throughout his life.

“He had his own unique metaphors and similes and he had his own diction knitted with matchless ideas,” she said.

Saud Tabish, a son of the late poet, said that his father’s life was an example of discipline, aptness and manners and he always tried to maintain a balance between the old traditions and new trends and demands of the age.

Muslim Shamim paid poetic tribute to Tabish Dehlavi.

Salman Siddiqui conducted the proceedings while Saifur Rehman Grami, a member of the Arts Council’s governing body, presented the vote of thanks.