Journey of Urdu into 21st century discussed

KARACHI:

The third day of the 15th World Urdu Conference organised by Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi ended with Mushaira (poetry) on Saturday. The first session on "Urdu poetry in the 21st Century" was chaired by Iftikhar Arif and Amjad Islam Amjad.

The conference discussed the Urdu poetry from different perspective by the speakers present at the event.

While addressing the audience, Iftikhar Arif said that the area of ​​Urdu has become wide now and it is not possible that you live in a province or region and you are not influenced by its language.

He said that it is often heard that Ghazal is disappearing, but then a new poet comes and become popular.

"Young poets are still writing good Ghazals," Iftikhar said. Present on the occasion, Poet Amjad Islam Amjad said that undoubtedly poets of 21st century are great poets but one cannot deny that their admirers and listeners are also kind.

Earlier, Sophia Lodhi discussed the feminist perspective of Urdu poetry with the audience. She said that women have been affected by extremism, but the women have the strength to deal with all kinds of situations and this strength makes them strong.

Books launched

On the third day of the conference, a number of books were launched.

Two books of Dr Farasat Rizvi launched at the occasion, one of them was the collection of Quartets.

Commenting on the book of Dr Farasat Rizvi, Dr Inam Nadeem said that words of Farasat Rizvi affect the heart of the reader as the poet wrote remarkable things.

The book "Shadow of light" of renowned poet Amjad Islam Amjad was also launched at the event.

A few couplets from the books were presented for the audience at the event.

The book "Muhammad (PBUH) in modern times" by Aksi Mufti was also launched at the event.

Iftikhar Arif and Mubeen Mirza expressed their views on the book.

Commenting on the book, Iftikhar Arif said that many books have been written on the biography but this has its own beauty.

During the book launch ceremony, the magazine "Wirsa" (Heritage) published in New York was also launched in the memory of Gopichand Narang.

Talking about Gopichand Nagar, Dr Fatima Hassan, said that these great people are still remembered for their mesmerising work.

The conference organised a separate session dedicated to Urdu poet Syed Mohammad Jafferi.

At the event, Anwar Maqsood and the son of Syed Mohammad Jafferi, Ahmad Jafferi spoke about the poetry of Syed Muhammad Jafari.

Addressing the session, Anwar Maqsood said that Syed Muhammad Jafari was a personality who through his poetry taught how to be happy in their lives.

Anwar Maqsood recited Syed Mohammad Jafari's poems in his unique style which was liked and adored by the audience.

Ahmad Jafari said that his father's verses are available on the internet. "My father never advised or lectured us but informed us in a very light manner," he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 4^th, 2022.