KARACHI, July 14: Prof Afaq Siddiqui, a known writer, poet and translator was the guest of the evening at Bazm-i-Kahkeshan on Tuesday. With Akhtar Hameed Khan in the chair, the function was well attended.

Verses in praise of the guest were presented by the poets and bouquets came from Siddiqui's friends, and admirers in the city including those coming from far of places in Sindh. Taj Qaimkhani, a Sindhi language writer, and Mr Soomro, a progressive writer, spoke lavishly on the literary contribution of Afaq Siddiqui.

Malik Nadeem, holding Shah Latif chair at Khairpur University, also praised Afaq for his tremendous literary work, particularly on the poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai and Sachal Sarmast.

Prof Afaq Siddiqui, a teenager during the partition, came to Karachi from Uttar Pradesh, settled in Sukkur and developed himself to the cause of education in Sindh. At the some time, he learnt Sindhi language, attained mastery over it and set to research work on the life and poetry of Sachal and Shah Latif.

His major contribution was the translation of Shah Jo Risalo in Urdu, also contributed by Shaikh Ayaz. Totally engaged in academic and educational work, Prof Afaq Siddiqui always kept himself away from controversies and lobbying.

He has been very popular among his students and fellow teachers particularly those in the interior of the province. He has 36 books to his credit, including 17 titles in Sindhi. He compiled four poetry collections, Qalb Sarapa being one of them.

Among those who read out essays in praise of Afaq Siddiqui included Ebadatullah Khan, Seema Siraj and Prof Shahnaz Shoro. Many others who had come with papers were requested to contend themselves with only brief speeches, including Muslim Shamim who was seen priding over his longest association with Prof Siddiqui.

Verses were presented by Qaiser Afaq, Shariq Balyavi, Pervin Haider and Abdul Jabbar Aser. Akhtar Hamid Khan and Iftekhar Ahmad Adni, both the special guests, could speak only a few words due to time constraint.

Prof Azfar Rizvi was the last to thank the guests. Earlier, general secretary of the Bazm, Zafer Mohiyddin, read out a brief paper on the person and literary work of Afaq Siddiqui. Javed Manzer did the compering.