A glowing tribute: Poets demand research cell in memory of Hamza Baba

Urge governor to provide facilities at Hamza Baba Cultural Complex

PESHAWAR: A research cell should be established at University of Peshawar to commemorate the achievements of Pashto poet Amir Hamza Khan Shinwari, who was also known as Hamza Baba.

This was said during a seminar held at Peshawar Press Club on Sunday to pay tribute to the poet.

A series of poetry recitations and a concert on Sufi music was held. The event was attended by a large number of poets, writers and students.

Overhaul

Speakers at the event urged Governor Zafar Iqbal Jhagra to issue orders to set up a research cell at UoP in Hamza Baba’s memory.

Many participants flayed the authorities for failing to provide funds to conduct the seminar and leaving the poet’s family and friends to bear the costs of the event.

They urged Jhagra to provide facilities at Hamza Baba Cultural Complex to bolster research and promote cultural activities. The centre is situated near Landikotal Bazaar and is in desperate need of overhaul.

“We hope the new governor will bring improvements in the fields of education, art and culture,” Kalim Shinwari, chief of Hamza Pashto Adabi Jirga, told The Express Tribune. “Although Hamza Baba Cultural Complex was built in 2002 when the country was under a military dictatorship. Since then, civilian leaderships have failed to heed to our demands and improve conditions at the complex.”

Shinwari added, “We want official staff, annual funding and more books for the library.”



Participants also presed the governor to hand over the responsibility of running the cultural centre to the education department in Fata. A similar request had been put forward during a session held at UoP to celebrate Hamza Baba’s 22nd death anniversary on February 18.

Man of letters

Fiction writer Syed Tahir Bukhari Bacha told participants that Hamza Baba has rendered a valuable contribution  to Urdu and Pashto.

He said, “Scholars have yet to conduct research on the various aspects of Hamza Baba’s life. He was a perpetual source of inspiration for poets, writers, scholars and intellectuals.

Aftab, another poet, said Hamza Baba had written a number of books and was also a playwright.

“He wrote 350 plays for Radio Pakistan in Peshawar,” he said. “However, no one has kept a record of his plays.”