KARACHI, May 18: Kaifi Azmi was one of the founders of the Progressive Writers Association, and the stalwart who held aloft the banner of the progressive thought till his last moments.

These and similar other remarks were passed while remembering the Marxist poet and human rights activist, Kaifi, at the memorial meeting jointly held by the Progressive Writers Association and Irteqa Institute of Social sciences at the PMA House on Friday. Khaleeq Ibrahim Khalikh presided over the proceedings.

Recalling the galaxy of the progressives—Sajjad Zaheer, Sardar Jafery, Majrooh and Kaifi—he admired their commitment with the common people and their devotion to literature and creative arts.

Dr Mohammad Ali Siddiqui expressed his grief over not Kaifi’s demise only, but the passing away of an era, nurturing such great human souls. He remembered that kaifi, in an article published only four months before his death, had shown contempt for the rising tide of sectarian hatred and terrorism in India.

Qamer Shehbaz recalled that Shaikh Ayaz, Sobbo Gian Chandani and others had laid the foundation of the Progressive Movement in Sindh long before Partition.

“The writers and intellectuals in the Sindh were separated from each other in the past through sinister moves by certain elements, but thankfully those days have passed and the writers in Sindh are now united in a strong bond of comradeship, understanding and love”, Qamer Shahbaz said. He paid homage to Kaifi “whose demise has saddened us all.”

Noted writer Zaheda Hena remembered her meetings with Kaifi when he visited Pakistan, first in 1977 and later in 1999, and her last contact with him at Delhi where he was bed-ridden. She said it was really a pleasant moment to see two comrades, Kaifi and Sardar Jafery, together in March ‘99 in Karachi at the Irteqa seminar held in memory of Josh.

Agha Saleem quoted Ghalib and Shah Lateef to define the greatness of poets who profess human values. Taj Baloch recalled his meetings with Kaifi and praised his love for all languages and people. He said the great poet had been thrilled to know that progressive movement in Sindhi language was stronger than it was in Urdu.

Poet and columnist Saba Ikram read out his paper based on an exhaustive interview with Kaifi in Karachi. Saba found in Kaifi an enlightened person who loved and admired creativity.

Afaq Siddiqui recited some couplets from Kaifi and also a few lines from his famous poem ‘Doosra Bombas’ written in the aftermath of the ‘Babri Masjid demolition, wherein Rama, the hero in Hindu scriptures, when he returned to Ayudhia after twelve long years of banishment, refused to stay in his birth place finding the place plundered and ravaged by fanatics.

Saeed Pervaiz, Zia Ahmed Awan, Jamal Naqvi and Najma Khan also spoke on the occasion. Sajid Ali Sajid paid homage to the departed soul in verse.

Muslim Shamim conducted the proceedings. He also read out on obituary of Kaifi Azmi and informed the audience of his published works.—Hasan Abidi