Natiq’s poetry strikes a chord

Ali Akber Natiq, a veteran Urdu poet, has a rare gift of painting pictures through words, says writer Fahmida Riaz.

Ali Akber Natiq’s poetry is full of metaphors taken from Middle East and rural life of Pakistan. He expresses deep anger against exploitation and double standards through the metaphors of desert, dragon, snakes and scorpions. Every poem in his maiden collection of poems Bay-Yaqeen Bastion Main is a complete story in itself, as he tries to discover himself in the deep marshes of hatred. These remarks were expressed by Kihshwar Naheed while presiding over the launching ceremony of young Urdu poet and short story writer.

The event was organised by Urdu Markaz in National Language Authority Islamabad. Veteran Urdu poet, fiction writer Fahmida Riaz was the chief guest of the ceremony while other speakers included Chairman NLA and prominent poets.

Riaz said Natiq is a genuine poet and his curious mind, daring intelligence and creative talents are praiseworthy. He has a rare gift of painting pictures through words. He has used beautiful imagery to make his poems powerful.

Iftikhar Arif complimented the sheer devotion by Natiq that attracts attention of serious readers of Urdu poetry and praised the lyricism and music of words in his poetry.

Dr Ravish Nadem said that the element of fiction is prominent in Natiq’s poems. “We don’t find slogans and elements of revolution in his poems,” he said. The setting in most of his poems is central Punjab, while he also uses metaphors of Karabala in his poems.

PAL Editor, Khurram Khiraam Siddiqui  read his English article and said that every new collection of poetry further establishes our belief in the humanity, power of words and knowledge.

His themes may vary from metaphysical concerns, association with have-nots and personal sorrows but his style makes the poems readable, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 17^th, 2011.