KARACHI, Sept 8: Writer, critic Mohammad Ali Siddiqui was the chief guest at a reception held in his honour by Bazm-i-Kahkashan and the Dhaka Group of Institutions on Tuesday.

Dr Farman Fatehpur chaired the proceedings; Dr Manzoor Ahmad came to speak on the merits of Dr Siddiqui's writings. Dr Farman while paying tributes to Dr Siddiqui whom he came to know through his literary columns published in Dawn for more than four decades with the pen-name of Aerial said that the later because of his erudition and balanced views was Firaq Gorakhpuri, a popular English language teacher who enriched Urdu by his studies in English.

Dr Siddiqui's writings carried the under currents of philosophy and Western literature, he added and admired most his tolerant and judicious style in evaluating literary pieces.

Earlier, Dr Siddiqui in a brief speech disclosed that he entered in the realm of literature through fiction, influenced by such writers was Krishen Chand, Bedi, Minto, Asmat and many others.

He said that writing criticism was a serious business as with the critic lies the responsibility to understand his/her period in depth and correct what was wrong.

Dr Siddiqui recalled the pre-57 period of the north India, particularly Delhi, a great meeting point of the Western and Eastern thoughts, when the poet Imam Bakhsh Sehbai and Mufti Sadruddin Azurda used to discuss the philosophies of Kant, Hume Locke and other Western thinkers with the learned Englishmen.

Sir Syed and Ghalib were richly benefited by those discourses which later brought a dynamic change in the socio-literary climate of the 19th century India.

He lamented to see that Pakistan's younger generation was losing contact with Urdu and those residing in the West found themselves in a dilemma, unfamiliar with both English and Urdu languages.

Dr Manzoor Ahmad found in Dr Siddiqui a very hard working person of balanced views, well versed in literature, philosophy and history. Dr Siddiqui was progressive in his approach and an enlightened writer, he said adding that he very much valued Sidduqi's friendship and found him a real gentleman.

At the outset, Bazm-i-Kahkashan Secretary Zafer Mohiyuddin in a short article introduced Dr Siddiqui's person and his books, 15 in all, Nishanaat (1995) and Jehaat, the latest. He had written three books on Quaid-i-Azam and two compilations in English. Josh ek Mutala is also Siddiqui's much admired book.

An article by Jazib Qureshi on Siddiqui's books was also appreciated by the audience. Iqbal Majeedi paid his complements to Dr Siddiqui in his verse. Javed Manzer did the compering.