Book launch: The delightful and inspiring

Ali Akbar Nataq unveils his collection of Urdu poetry.

ISLAMABAD:

Nataq has a fresh voice. The diction is classical, but he gives new meaning to various words. His symbols are representative of various cultural traditions and focus on social contradictions. This was stated by Director Media Centre South Asian Free Media Association while speaking at the book launch of an anthology of poetry titled “Untrustworthy Dwellings” here on Tuesday.

The young poet of Urdu literature displays maturity and vividness in his work. Akhtar Usman, a speaker commented, “Nataq’s book is a great first attempt. He will do very well by honing his craft further.”

The collection of 44 poems, for the most part melancholically draws the socio-economic struggles characteristic of the average Pakistani individual in “The blacksmith doesn’t know”, “We will awaken before death” and “Dead lamps have gone out”.

However, as the contents of the book progress, there is a much more romantic style and sensibility employed in his poems by evoking images from nature such as in “Bird of the sky”, “The shade of the Neem Tree”, among others.

The poet said that the book is an attempt to awaken people to their surroundings and an urge to develop individual interpretations of the human condition.

He hopes that through literature, there can be a need for people to seek out their own views rather than being sheep in a herd.

Other speakers at the launch included Dr Iqbal Afaqi, Idrees Babar, Anwaar Fitrat, Manzor Naqvi and Harris Khaleeq who praised the poet, shared their interpretations of the book and imparted advice.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 26^th, 2011.