PESHAWAR, Feb 20: A musical concert to observe the 10th death anniversary of legendary poet Amir Hamza Khan Shinwari brought together a galaxy of literary people, who all paid tributes to the poet popularly known as Baba-i-Ghazal for his immortal collection of poetry.

The event was organised by the Cultural Committee of the Peshawar Press Club on late Wednesday night. Speakers, including chief guest Tahir Bokhari, Shaukat Hayat Khan, Hanif Khalil, Abaseen Yousafzay, Dr Rajwali Shah Khattak, Asif Sameem and others, were unanimous in concluding that Hamza Shinwari was not dead and will remain alive as far as his poetry stays on the earth.

Young poet, Hanif Khalil's views on Baba-i-Ghazal, were unique in the sense that he shed light on his political philosophy, which proved that besides his literary aspects, he was a committed politician, who was in pursuit of achieving the rights of Pakhtoons throughout his eventful life.

Citing his couplets to support his claim, Mr Khalil, said that Baba was a nationalist to the core and he spoke to the Pakhtoons through his well-written poems about their status in society. However, he said that Baba was not in favour of advancement of one nationality at the cost of other.

Baba's concept of Pashto language was that he held it in high esteem and termed it the oldest language of Central Asia. Historically, Pashto was a natural human language, which advocated peace, love, respect and tolerance, said he.

"It's a language of civilised people, therefore Pakhtoons should behave in a way that could reflect good mannerism so the people could view them as ideal human-beings," said, Mr Khalil, quoting Baba as saying. His sufism was also referred to by the speaker and said that Baba was convinced that both, religion of Islam and Pashto were immortal.

Earlier, chairman of the cultural committee, Qasim Yousafzai, gave an overview of the committee's activities concerning the promotion of local culture through holding of programmes.

He urged the participants to unveil the Baba's written hidden stuff generously for the benefit of his followers. While citing the translation of some English writers in Pashto, he said that Baba's views that Pashto was a natural language, had been reinforced therein.

Host Rohan Yousafzai, being a poet himself, interspersed the proceedings with Baba's famous couplets off and on evoking wonderful response from the flocking enthusiasts.

Asmatullah Noorani recited Dr Masood's poem tunefully to pay commemoration to Baba, who embodied the characteristics of a saint, sufi, politician, scholar, author, poet and a moderate. The poem awakened the audience, who had got a bit bored while listening to literary-style prose.

The poem, narrated by Abaseen Yousafzay, manifestly showed the love Baba had among the people, both educated and illiterate. His well-delivered poem was liked by all and sundry.

Another articulate local poet, Shaukat Hayat, said that though some circles differed on whether Hamza Khan was Baba-i- Ghazal or not. Everyone, had the right to criticise some one, however.

Born in a hamlet, Lowargi in Khyber Agency, he was totally illiterate, but ended up as a great teacher, who is still a ray of home for the Pakhtoons who have gone astray. His writings serve as a torch in the darkness and are spreading knowledge even after his death.