KARACHI, June 5: “The death of Prof Kashfi is a great loss to the Urdu literary world. He had a multi-dimensional personality, who wrote from personality sketches to religious writings. His knowledge showed in all his works,” said Prof Sahar Ansari in a condolence meeting organized for the late Abual Khair Kashfi by the Anjuman Taraqqi-i-Urdu. Aftab Ahme Khan, the president of the Anjuman, presided over the meeting.

The programme began with Abu Akif Kashfi, the late scholar’s son, sharing memories of his father with the audience. He also read excerpts published by his sisters in a book. He said: “Though my personal relationship with my father was what I consider very personal, his personality had a great impact on the whole family”.

Speaking next, Prof Ansari said his association with Prof Kashfi was quite long. “When no one could approve of the concept of World literature as a subject in the University of Karachi, he said yes to it and it was during his time that it was taught,” he said. He further said that Mr Kashfi was an outspoken person and could tolerate no nonsense. He remarked that Kashfi’s death was a great loss to the literary world.

Dr Aslam Farrukhi said Prof Kashfi and he himself were members of a trio formed at the KU of which Prof Kashfi -- the youngest one -- had passed away. “I had known Kashfi for almost 60 years. I first met him at Radio Pakistan and later on I and Kashfi together enrolled at the Urdu College,” he said.

He said Kanpur, the birthplace of Prof Kashfi, was known for personalities such as Hasrat Mohani, Agha Mir and others. He also said that it was rumoured that after Prof Kashfi the KU would no longer offer a master’s degree in Urdu linguistics.