KARACHI: Unlocking a world of expression, be it literature, culture, art or music along with people who are the creators and lovers of all these things, the two-day 10th Adab Festival opened at Habitt City on Saturday to book talks, book launches, interesting discussions and close encounters with authors from as young as 11 years old to septuagenarians and octogenarians.

At the inauguration, Ameena Saiyid, the founder of the festival, said that when she and the late Asif Farrukhi started literary festivals, first with the Karachi Literature Festival and then the Adab Festival, they wanted to turn writers and authors into rock stars. “And I even saw it happening when I watched a crowd of fans surrounding Amar Jaleel and Mustansar Hussain Tarrar a few years later,” she said, adding that their other aim was to bring back the habit of reading in children.

Speaking on the occasion, poet and writer Kishwar Naheed congratulated Ameena for finding a place for literary festivals in a city like Karachi where people are more interested in partying and eating out. Dr Ishrat Husain said that he was concerned about the literary festival movement when Ameena left OUP and when Asif Farrukhi also passed away but here is the Adab Festival going strong in its 10th edition.

Author Shandana Minhas said that she would like to acknowledge and celebrate all of our heritage all of the time, openly, and such festivals are doing just that. Zehra Nigah also said that ‘Adab’ which translates to several meanings such as etiquette, discipline, manners, respect and decorum, is the basis of civilisation. “You will leave this festival with a positive mindset,” she said.

Masoom Thari, Dr Najeeba Arif and M. Athar Tahir receive Infaq Foundation literary awards

The inauguration ceremony also included the announcement of the 2025 Infaq Foundation-Adab Festival Literary Awards of Rs300,000 each in Sindhi, Urdu and English, which went to Masoom Thari, Dr Najeeba Arif and M. Athar Tahir, respectively.

According to Sohail Ayub of Infaq Foundation, from next year they would also include a Balochi language award on Ameena’s suggestion.

It was a sentimental moment when Shayma Saiyid sang a touching tribute, ‘Tum Yaad Aaye’, in memory of all the luminaries and those who had a part in the Adab Festival, who have passed away from 2020 to 2025.

A range of thought-provoking simultaneous sessions covering subjects ranging from Urdu literature, progressive politics, and cultural heritage to art, history and education followed.

At ‘Tree Garden’, an area reserved for music and children’s activities and sessions, it was a joy to meet Arshaan Lakhani, the “youngest” author of Pakistan, who penned his novel Kidnapped at the age of only nine. More activities for children included some seven short and long sessions by Atif Badar. These comprised two short improvisational theatre plays, interactive theatre workshops, dramatic story-telling sessions and the singing of Sohail Rana’s songs with school students and teachers.

There was also a bookmaking session with Ameena Saiyid and a dedicated Creative Writing Workshop titled ‘The Storymakers Studio’ for teenagers, conducted by Taha Kehar.

At Arena, writer Noorul Huda Shah delved into ‘The Cultural Relationship of Sindh with the River and the Sea’ with climate change expert Naseer Memon, activist Zubaida Bhiwani and folk singer and musician Saif Samejo.

A gripping book talk on Zahid Hussain’s A Dialogue with History and Face to Face with Benazir took place where Dr Omair Ahmed Khan and Dr Nafisa Shah joined the author for an insightful conversation on Pakistan’s political landscape.

The brothers Syed Muhammad Taqi and Rais Amrohvi must be smiling in heaven as their grandchildren took the stage to discuss Taqi’s book Karbala: Tehzeeb Ka Mustaqbil, which has recently been translated into English by granddaughter and journalist Sumera Naqvi as The Future of Civilisation. She was joined by her brother, the policy and strategy professional Kazim Saeed and cousin and CEO of Bank of Punjab Zafar Masud and another cousin and journalist Lubna Jerar.

The late journalist Zubeida Mustafa’s last book Chatting with Dadi was also launched at Arena. Author and artist Rumana Husain, CEO of Idara-i-Taleem-o-Aagahi Baela Raza Jamil, writer and translator Shama Askari and Ameena Saiyid highlighted the values that the late journalist held so dear throughout her life and career that have now found place in the book which follows a question and answer format with her young grandniece Alexandra Wasti.

Meanwhile in City Talk, Zehra Nigah engaged in conversation with Shoaib Arshad in an evocative session titled ‘Jo Sun Sako To Yeh Sab Daastaan Tumhari Hai: Adab Ke Badalte Chehre Aur Hum’, exploring the evolution of Urdu literature and its reflection of societal change.

Journalist Husnain Nawab moderated a critical discussion on ‘Connecting Art, the City and its People’ featuring Noor Ahmed, Amin Gulgee and Bushra Hussain. It highlighted the role of art in shaping urban consciousness.

A book talk on Shabbar Zaidi’s 32 Onkar Road, which featured Salim Raza in conversation with the author, unpacking Pakistan’s political and economic complexities.

The inaugural day of the festival concluded with a mushaira featuring well-known poets including Zehra Nigah, Kishwar Naheed, Dr Najeeba Arif, Dr Pizada Qasim, Raza Siddiqui, Fazil Jamili, Tanveer Anjum and Kasif Raza.

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2025