ISLAMABAD: Speakers at a literary event on Friday called for dissemination of the treasure of wisdom, love, social harmony and universality produced by literary giants like Shaikh Ayaz, Gul Khan Naseer and Ajmal Khattak among the people through translation of their works in all national languages.
The literary event was held in memory of Shaikh Ayaz, one of the leading poets, writers and intellectuals of Sindh, at the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL).
These literary giants have produced voluminous works and inspired generations but their works have not been given due recognition, the speakers said.
Presiding over the event, Professor Fateh Mohammad Malik said during the over seven-decade history of Pakistan, progressive writers and poets such as Faiz and Ayaz spent most of their lives behind bars.
Noted poet and intellectual Iftikhar Arif and Noor Ahmed Jhanji, an expert on Ayaz, shed light on the life and work of Ayaz and said no other poet could reach his calibre except Faiz.
“Ayaz introduced a new diction, wrote on diverse themes, steeped in classical raagas with contemporary tone and modern vocabulary which is unmatched,” Mr Arif said.
He also spoke about the 20th century progressive literary movements against colonialism in the world which inspired many literary strands and politics.
Noor Ahmed Jhanji, who has written four books on the poet, said his poetry had a universal appeal, terming it ‘globalism’.
He said Ayaz’s poetry had different layers and themes containing cultural heritage, folk wisdom, Persian traditions, love, Indus civilisation and common man’s life, dreams, aspirations and woes which he studied closely as a lawyer.
Senator Sassui Palijo recounted her family and political association with the poet.
Senator Walid Iqbal could not make it to the event because of his political commitments.
Researcher and writer Ahmed Salim said he was lucky to have been born in the era of Shaikh Ayaz, Gul Khan Naseer and Ajmal Khattak. He recalled his first meeting with Ayaz in Sukkur in 1967 and second time in 1970.
He said he translated 100 verses of Ayaz’s poetry into Punjabi.
Inamullah Sheikh also shed light on the various philosophical aspects of Ayaz’s poetry and said: “If anyone wants to understand South Asia one must understand Shaikh Ayaz’s poetry citing a quote of Will Durant who had stated: ‘If you want to understand Europe’s greatness you must understand Waltier.’
Besides speeches, the event was laced with recitations of Ayaz’s poetry in Sindhi and Urdu by Suraj Paleejo and Sana Niamat, respectively.
Akhtar Hayat Qamar, a Pashto language poet who has translated selected poems of Ayaz in Pashtu, called for giving Pashto, Sindhi, Balochi national language status.
Zubaida Biwani, Safeerullah Khan and others also paid tributes to the poet and described his literary contribution unmatched which transcended boundaries and spread the message of love, social justice and harmony.
Mahboob Zafar, who conducted the session, said Ayaz translated Shah Jo Risalo’s 10,000 verses written by the 18th century Sufi poet Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, from Sindhi to Urdu. He authored 60 books of poetry, short stories, novel, essays, travelogues, diaries, an autobiography and plays in Sindhi and Urdu languages.
Published in Dawn, January 11th, 2020