Tribute: Intizar didn’t let go of his culture, says writer

Speakers say Urdu literature has lost a great man of words

ISLAMABAD: Intizar Husain wrote continuously for half a century, presenting current thought and material weaved into stories of the past, often picked out from nostalgia. This was said by Dr Ravish Nadeem, assistant professor at International Islamic University, during his talk at a reference to remember the legend. The event was organised by Sustainable Development Policy Institute on Wednesday.

“We need to rediscover him in coming times. We need to assess where he stood on the spectrum of left and right, with a new definition,” he said.

Husain, an author of international fame, died on February 2, 2016.

He said why our legends were not paid tribute for their intellect, alone is a point to ponder.

Earlier during the programme, author and poet Kishwar Naheed read lines from the column she wrote after hearing the news of his death. She read Husain’s profile in words that brought a silhouette to life.

“To me, news of Intizar’s death was similar to the news of Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s death. We are going through same pain, after his death too,” writer Ahmed Salim said. Men like Faiz and Intizar have stature above left and right division, he said.

Salim said that after Faiz we have lost another great man of words. He would always be present among us through his work, he added.

“Being a student of Urdu literature I have a relationship with Intizar Husain as old as my introduction to literature. After reading his work, my curiosity (in literature) increased,” Professor of Urdu Literature, Dr Rubina Almas said. She said Husain was her favourite short-story writer.

Novelist Yasra Hussain, daughter of Khalida Hussain, conveyed a message of her mother at the occasion. She said that Intizar, Anwar Sajjad and Khalida Hussain were pioneers of symbolism and abstracts in Urdu literature. There is a strong sense of consciousness in the literary work of Husain, she added. She said that his work can introduce Urdu literature to the current generation.

Yasra said that the writer did not let go of his culture and religion. She said that Husain not only portrayed pre-partition issues in his stories but took up contemporary issues as well. Patriotism could be seen not only in his writing, but he proved it practically too, she added.

His books included Gali Koochay, Kankari, Din aur Dastan, Shehr-e-Afsos, Kachhuay, Khaimay say Door, Khali Pinjra, Morenama and Sheharzad Kay Naam.

His readership is global, and some of his works were translated into English and other languages as well. He has received many awards from Pakistan, India, and the Middle East. In 2007, he received the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, the highest Pakistani civil award.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 19^th, 2016.