Literary milestone: Turning passion into expression

Sarwer Javed’s poetry collection launched at SAFMA.

ISLAMABAD:

The launching ceremony of Karachi-based poet Sarwer Javed’s first poetry collection was launched at South Asia Free Media Association on Monday.

Introducing the book, intellectual and writer Ashfaq Saleem Mirza said the poet has successfully nailed down the day to day dilemmas of life. The collection is not just limited to a particular manifesto but has honestly illustrated the dilemmas of life. “Javed is a representative of Faiz’s progress ideas who also took refuge in romanticism to promote his revolutionary ideas”.

However, Mirza disagreed with the poet’s claim of poetry being timeless and said like everything else change is inevitable. He said along with time dimensions of poetry also change, just like cannibalism was enjoyed by man at one point in time, it can not be so again.

He praised the poem ‘Ahat’ in the book which flows rhythmically making it easier for the reader to understand.

Talking about his book he said, “Hijr Kay Admi Hain Hum” alludes to the theme of being deprived of love. He said love of the physical and spiritual can not be alienated, as the former gradually transcends into a devout feeling that appreciates every attribute of the beloved.

Talking about experiences that he has related in his books he said, “I am a man of ‘hijr’ and have learnt from my experiences; in love you either become proud or passionate, the latter is true in my case”.

Through romanticism the author sheds light on various socio-political issues, though without restricting himself to any specific paradigm. He said this was the first time his book was read seriously, as unfortunately the intellectuals are slowly shedding reading habits.

Thanking the speakers the poet stated that he has learnt from their criticism. Responding to why he turned to critical writing the poet said he was troubled by the whimsical attitude of the literary critiques and decided to pen down his thoughts.  ‘I can apologize to the ones who I have hurt but what I wrote was not wrong’.

Javed describes his early years as those of hardship “They were not good days, my father had migrated from Delhi and it is always hard to re-establish yourself; however, hard times enhance your intellect”. He was a political worker as well as a student leader, while establishing himself as a poet in the 70s.

Another speaker said, Javed, while claiming to be a man of ‘hijr’ beautifully states that ‘One must go beyond fulfilment of aspiration and continue to dream’

Commenting on the literary lull in the contemporary society Javed said, “Apathy of society must come to an end, media is not promoting literature”. Only a few names such as Tauqir Taki come to mind from the new generation which might be facing a poetic abyss due to this indifferent treatment, he continued. On an ending note he said, ‘Books should be read, an author’s biggest reward is when his work is acknowledged, unfortunately in our society only the best sellers are read’.

General Secretary Awami Party Ayub Malik said Javed had inherited his poetic skills from his father. He said his expression and diction carry societal insight as well as an artistic conscience.

He said the delay in publishing the collection is simple; the poet has a very straightforward approach and writes with complete sincerity. He then read a poem from the collection to reinforce his point.  Malik said ‘He provides an impetus to mobilize, questions the reasons behind existence yet his diction does not complicate and he maintains high standards.’

Professor of Persian at Islamic University Dr Jawad Hamdani also praised the author’s work.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 21^st, 2011.