KARACHI: Hava, Chiragh, Aena, a collection of ghazals from poet/journalist Akhtar Saeedi was launched at a ceremony here on Thursday. Dr Farman Fatehpuri, who had great admiration for the poet, presided over the function well-attended by fellow poets and writers. There were guests of different varieties. Mahmood Sham was mehman-i-Khasoosi; and Prof Azfar Rizvi and Ameen Akhtar were mehmanan-i-Aizazi. Khalid Alig was the patron. Other guests included Shaheda Hasan, Prof Jazib Qureshi, Khwaja Razi Haider, Hasan Akber Kamal and Shahnaz Shore.

Shaheda Hasan, quoting the poet: yahi ek mashghala hai zindagi ka Ta’aqqub kar raha hoon roshni ka, admired his attempt to follow the diction of Khudai Sukhan Mir Taqi Mir, saying that his poetry was enriched with pathos. She referred to the painful and strenuous life the poet lived with dignity.

Hava, Chiragh, and Aena, were three symbols which explained Akhtar’s poetry and also his life, Hasan Akber Kamal said. The poet had not laboured to compose poetry but he had lived it and remained very close to his soil, Kamal said, adding that the poet’s faith in humanity never wavered.

Shahnaz Shore commended the classical form blended with the modern diction in Akhtar’s poetry, and said it looked different from that of other contemporary poets. His poetry was based on love, and on the culture nourished by an anguished soul, she said.

Jazib Qureshi preferred to talk about Akhtar’s role as a literary journalist who authored around 250 interviews of noted literary figures with much care and effort. In the society where hypocrisy was a social norm, Akhtar remained a selfless writer, uncaring for the fame and recognition.

Mahmood Sham acknowledged Akhtar’s merit as a poet and a person devoted to the profession of writing. Other guests, Syed Azfer Rizvi and Ameen Akhtar also admired his poetry.

At the beginning, Saeedi’s naat was presented by Sultan Salahuddin. Noor Ahmad Meerathi, whose Idara Fikr-i-Nau had hosted the occasion, welcomed the guests. During 26 years of the organization, 25 books had been launched under its banner, he said.

Aneeq Ahmed compered the proceedings.—HA