ISLAMABAD, Aug 1: If the stereotypical mould for an Urdu literary figure is an older person — long white hair, flowing robes and beard — then one is in for a surprise when one meets Ali Akbar Natiq. A T-shirted, thirty-something, boyish-looking man, who read a selection of his poems and short stories at Kuch Khaas on Wednesday.

The literary event was held under the banner ‘Sudh Budh: a new feature at Kuch Khaas, to showcase contemporary arts and literature in Pakistan.’

The most refreshing part of Mr Natiq’s rendition was the fusion of Punjabi and Seraiki words in his poetry and prose. There was no shyness or reluctance on Mr Natiq’s part to use words that are commonly used in spoken Urdu throughout Pakistan.

Even though Mr Natiq’s prose was ‘disarming’ but at the same time it was armed with all the depth and subtleties to be classified as serious works of literature.

Mr Natiq — in the first poem he read — used the silkworm as a literary metaphor to symbolise the plight of humanity, “A silk worm that weaves his own/ eats his own/ and then dies within the four walls of silk. After bequeathing to the world, something that can only be compared to the rays of the Moon.”

His second poem was of a village boy, whom he chose to call “Chokra” — a word commonly used in Punjabi and Seraiki. Chokra had biographical overtones as it is about a boy who runs village-to-village talking to squirrels and in the end becomes a poet.

Speaking on the occasion, prominent literary figure Ashfaq Salim Mirza said: “Literary figures in Urdu literature have tried to infuse Post-structuralism, Deconstruction and other Western literary concepts in their works, when Pakistani society hasn’t gone through the same experiences or evolved the way Western societies have. It is important that literary figures speak and write through local experiences and ideas.”

Keeping it ‘local’ was what Raza Rumi — who hosted the event — tried to emphasise in his address. He said that it is unfortunate that seven to eight Pakistani writers, who write in English and by default — because they have a global audience — have become the spokespersons of Pakistani literature. Although he clarified that he has nothing against writing in English, as Pakistan is a multi-lingual society and one can write in any language one chooses. But he said that the notion is wrong that Urdu is on the decline because not only Urdu but there is plenty of good literature available in regional languages as well.

He said that ‘Sudh Budh’ came into being because there was a need for literary activities in Islamabad. Through Sudh Budh they plan to promote and introduce local writers to a wider audience.