SWAT:
A large number of Pashto poets, civil society members and students gathered in Swat Press Club on Sunday to pay tribute to Faiz Ahmad Faiz.
The event was jointly organised by Global Peace Council, Svastu Arts and Culture Association and Socha Likwal as part of their celebrations for the legendary poet’s centennial birth anniversary.
Renowned Islamabad-based poet and writer Tahir Bhatti and Dr Riaz Majeed from Faisalabad participated as special guests.
Professor Waris Khan said, “As the editor of Pakistan Times, Faiz tried to lead the masses towards true democracy and individual freedom. He did not spare any social issue, and that is why the establishment turned against him.”
Svastu Arts and Culture Association Chairperson Usman Ulas Yar said his early days of writing verses lush with love and beauty led him to his greatest works, which highlighted the social and political issues of the day.
“He held up a beacon of light and carried it through the darkness of evils. He was a man of modern approach and will be remembered throughout ages,” Yar added.
Bhatti said, “Though darkness kept changing forms, the light spread by Faiz outshined them all.”
He added, “He will not only be remembered with mere literary programmes but by his thoughts and mission, which will, one day, be implemented in our society.”
Fazal Mahmood Rokhan summed up the discussion and said, “The revolution of Faiz has not come yet. When it does, it will not be this Pakistan but a Pakistan with moderate mentality which will join the queue of the developed nations.”
Dr Majeed said that the gathering is a reflection of the fact that Faiz was not a poet of any single language, area or race. “The social issues highlighted by Faiz were practically experienced by Swati people today. He merged romanticism with revolutionary ideas and proved to be a shield in front of the dictators and did not bow before them.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 28th, 2011.
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