Poet remembered: Services of poet Lala Sehrai eulogised

Sadiq authored 20 books on different topics.

MULTAN: In connection with the 17th death anniversary of a great poet Chaudhry Muhammad Sadiq, popularly known as Lala Sehrai, a function was jointly organised by Lala Sehrai Foundation and Multan Chamber of Commerce & Industry on Monday.

Senior politician Makhdoom Javed Hashmi was the chief guest on the occasion. The speakers shed light on various aspects of the life and works of Muhammad Sadiq.

While addressing the participants, Javed Hashmi said Lala Sehrai authored 20 books on different topics and his famous compilations included Chaman Meri Umeedon Ka, Nae Phool Purani Khushboo, Noor Minarah etc.

He said Lala Sehrai was a true lover of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). While referring to the brutal killing of Mashal Khan in Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, he maintained, “Students should be taught poetry related to peace, love, harmony and brotherhood to avoid campus violence.”

Poet Prof Aslam Ansari, Dr Rafiuddin, Khawaja Razi Haider, Dr Riaz Majid, Naseer Ahmed Salimi, Dr Mukhtar Zafar, Dr Javed Sadiq, Dr Sadiq Ajmal Siraj, Hafiz Iqbal Khakwani, Shakir Hussain Shakir, Prof Zubair Ahmed, Prof Anisur Rehman, Dr Muhammad Shah Gilani, and Hafiz Abdul Waheed also paid tributes to the late poet.

Highlighting early years of Lala Sehrai, Shakir Hussain Shakri said Sadiq was born in Mehta village in Amritsar on February 14, 1920.

“He settled in Jehanian, and was highly impressed with Maulana Hali, Shibli Nomani, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi, Abul-Kalam Azad, Rashid-Al-Khairi, Syed Suleman Nadvi, and Maulana Zafar Ali Khan,” he pointed out.

Similarly, Dr Rafiuddin said meeting Lala Sehrai was an extraordinary experience. He added the poet had tremendous patience and tolerance.

“Lala had command over Urdu language and was in the habit of telling friends and even scholars about the correct pronunciation of certain words,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 25^th, 2017.