Giants of Urdu lit: Remembering Hali and Shibli Naumani

Dynamic nations keep their heroes alive

LAHORE: Maulana Altaf Hussain Hali and Maulana Shibli Naumani are credited with laying the foundation of criticism in Urdu literature, writer Intezar Hussain said at a seminar at the Punjab University on Wednesday. Their services to Urdu literature should be celebrated, he said. 

Hussain, Dr Khawaja Muhammad Zakaria, Dean of Oriental Learning Dr Ismatullah Zahid, Department of Urdu Chairman Dr Muhammad Kamran and PU Vice Chancellor Mujahid Kamran spoke at the seminar organised by the PU’s Department of Urdu in Sherani Hall.

The VC said Hali and Naumani were giants of Urdu literature and their thoughts and works must be promoted. He said holding seminars to honour their services had helped raise awareness about seminal Urdu works among the youth. “This is extremely important considering the times we live in,” he said.

Presenting his research paper, Dr Zakaria said that Maulana Hali could write exceptionally well both in prose and poetry. So much so, that it was difficult to decide whether he was a better poet than writer of prose.  He said Maulana Hali had great command over scientific prose and Mussaddas-i-Hali was a timeless masterpiece.

Urdu Department Chairman Dr Muhammad Kamran said dynamic nations always kept their heroes alive. “It is up to us to acknowledge and celebrate the services of Maulana Hali and Shibli Naumani for the promotion of Urdu literature.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 7^th, 2015.