ISLAMABAD, Nov 29: Shahzad Sharjeel is a welcome addition to the ranks of Urdu poets who have chosen to express themselves in that beautiful genre of classical Urdu poetry, Ghazal.

His diction and style may draw from the rich tradition of the masters of Ghazal, but his selection and treatment of subjects breaks new ground and resonates with contemporary themes.

These views were expressed by eminent poet Amjad Islam Amjad at the launch of Sharjeel’s collection of poetry entitled Kiyun, at the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) arranged jointly by PAL and literary organisation ‘Akaas’.

The function was presided over by Amjad Islam Amjad while Shabnam Shakeel was the chief guest.

Amjad Islam Amjad noted that each new literary effort leaves him even more convinced that Urdu literature, in general, and poetry, in particular, was not only maintaining its position but actually gaining stature and following.

He urged all new writers to continue to work hard on the craftsmanship of writing. He said that poetry to him was a balance between one’s innate ability to feel, observe and create verse, and the technical craft that can be learnt, honed and polished.

“A good verse has to strike a perfect balance between beauty of thought and a technically sound craftsmanship in its expression,” he added.

It is heartening to see a person who is not in the mainstream of poetry to see coming out with his literary creations in his own style marked with freshness and newness, he observed.

Shahzad Sharjeel, he said, by questioning the social disparities in his verse had justified the name chosen for his book.

He said Sharjeel has watched the facts of life with open eyes and has woven his dreams for change in his verse.

He has identified the weaknesses in the system, while remaining optimistic about the future.

Shabnam Shakeel termed Sharjeel’s verse “immensely mature both in thought and style of expression”, especially for a maiden collection.

She was critical of the tradition of applauding even weak poetry of popular poets while discouraging good poetry of less known poets. She regretted that it was not the poetry but the poet who was being applauded.

She described Shahzad Sharjeel’s poetry as a blend of pain and pleasure and said his beautiful style makes him different from others.

Asghar Abid also spoke at the occasion and lauded Kiyun as a continuation of the great Ghazal tradition of the South Asian Subcontinent, and a true portrayal of the existing socio-political milieu.

The author regaled the audience with lighthearted tales of the hardships faced by first-time authors in getting their works published.