KARACHI: Neel Gagan Tale, a collection of verses from Azra Sarver, was launched by its publisher Ameer Abro, on Saturday.

Mrs Sarver, assistant professor at the department of International Relations, University of Sindh, is a Sindhi-speaking lady.

She was highly admired by the speakers for writing verses in Urdu with commendable ease and command.

The book also carries English translations of the verses by Nazir Ahmad Chauna, “a merited person”. The English version was also greatly admired.

Presided over by famous writer Ms Firdous Haider, with Mazharul Haq Siddiqui, Vice-Chancellor University of Sindh as the chief guest, the function was addressed by noted writer Agha Saleem, Taj Baloch, Agha Noor Mohammad Pathan, Inam Shaikh, Ashfaq Memon, Anwar Abro, Zeb Azkar Husain and Khayal Afaqi whose article is also included in the poetry collection.

The book also carries an article by Mohsin Bhopali. Mohsin was there, but refrained from making a speech. Some points common to most of the speakers were the poets’ emphasis on peace and love, dignity of the women, her abhorrence for age-old customs like Karo-Kari and enslavement of women in all forms.

Agha Salim said that to be true in the expression of emotions was the very basis of poetry and the poet was successful in maintaining the feminine tone and nuance in her free verses.

Taj Baloch quoted example from the free verses and prose poems of Sara Shagufta, Zeeshan Sahil, Azra Abbas and advised Mrs Sarver to make further efforts in improving her expression. He, however, praised her for taking a good start.

Firdous Haider praised the poet for her broad-minded approach toward life, her vision, love for the land and the common people.

Nazir Channa made a fervent speech and eulogised the poet’s world view, and her writings against global imperialism and the established order in the country.

“Truth is alive, so are Socrates and Sarmads living in our souls, and sometimes I feel a Hallaj breathing within my soul,” he said.

Earlier a paper was read by Ameer Abro, editor and publisher of the Indus, introducing his organisation and the book.— Hasan Abidi