KARACHI: Two valued posthumous publications-Dilli Ki Khawateen Ki Kahawatayn aur Muhawray by Shaista Suhrawardy Ikramullah and the other - The Art of the Mussulmans in Spain by Shahid Suhrawardy were launched by the Oxford University Press yesterday (Feb 25).
Jalaluddin Ahmad, since long associated with the institution of music and art publication spoke about the late Suhrawardy and his academic career as an art advisor to the League of Nations in remote past, historian of Muslim's art and architecture and one who served Pakistan as its ambassador to Spain, Morocco and Tunis.
A visiting professor on Islamic Arts at Colombia University, he was a member of the selection committee for the decoration of the first UNESCO building. He was also a linguist in several western and Oriental languages and the book he authored discusses the influences on the Muslims which were brought to bear on the artefacts and architecture during the period of the Moorish Kingdoms in Spain. It was the finest period of art and literature in the middle ages.
Soon after the emergence of Pakistan, Shahid Suharwardy found some young talents to introduce modern art in publishing but the efforts he made did not go much further. However, Mr Jalaluddin Ahmed hoped that the time to boost such an effort had come. He also felt sorry that his book saw the light of the day, 40 years after his passing away.
As for the other book "Vanishing beauty" of Urdu literature-Kahawatayan aur Muhawary, Mr Shaheen who was associated with the compilation of the book gave a brief account as to how Shaesta Suhrawardy Ikramullah painstakingly continued together the mohawary and popular Kahawatayan and their usage at various occasions.
Begum Shaesta Scion of learned family was the first Muslim lady who did her PhD from London University. She was a highly cultivated lady with a fine taste of Urdu literature.
She became a member of the parliament soon after independence and represented Pakistan at the United Nations. She also served as Pakistani ambassador to Morocco. Begum Naz Ashraf, co-host of the evening thanked the guests.