Adabi Baithak fails to live up to expectations

LAHORE: Adabi Bethak, set up by the Lahore Art Council (LAC) to provide a place for writers like Pak Tea House, remains deserted. No meetings or events have been arranged for more than a month.

The Bethak last witnessed a ceremony to launch Dr Mubarak Ali’ s latest books. The event was arranged by the Strengthening Participatory Organisation and not the LAC.

Zulfiqar Ali Zulfi, LAC deputy director for programmes, says the place has been set up to serve the city’s literati. “If they choose not to come they can not be compelled into doing so,” he adds. “This place was built to replace the Pak Tea House.We do arrange some events and meetings. But if the writers believe in catching up with one another independently, it is entirely their choice,” he says.

Halqa-e-Arbab-e-Zouq secretary, Qaim Naqvi tells The Express Tribune literary meetings do take place at the Baithak. However, he adds Aiwane Iqbal remains a more popular venue for arranging such events.

When asked if it is a suitable substitute to the Pak Tea House, he says, “I think Pak Tea House and Adabi Bethak are incomparable. There is no comparison between the old day and contemporary writers either, he added. Despite the subsidy on snacks, “only 15 to 20 people, mostly elderly, frequent the Baithak on weekends,” says a waiter, working there.

He adds that mostly old men visit in the evenings, read books, look up and chat with old friend before departing.

Intezar Hussain, the eminent writer, explains, “Lahore has changed. City’s literati used to gather at the Pak Tea House or the other coffee houses. It is not the same anymore.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 19^th, 2010.