Pindi enjoys laugh-riot on the last day of 2011

Anwar Masood’s poetry leaves the audience in stitches.

RAWALPINDI: Noted humour writer and poet Professor Anwar Masood enthralled the audience at Rawalpindi Arts Council on Saturday with his signature hilarious and ironic couplets. 

A gathering with the poet had been arranged by the Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) to pay tribute to his achievements.

A large number of residents of the twin cities attended the sitting at the RAC hall, where Anwar Masood, a retired professor of Farsi, shared his personal feelings on different socio-political issues and was praised by others for his literary accomplishments.

The poet, born in Gujrat on November 8, 1935, recited his works in both Urdu and Punjabi, while striking issues such as democracy, dictatorship, politics, medicine, the institution of marriage, and human relationships and interaction. The hilarious verses of poems including Banain, Rehmian and Ammari captivated the audience.

“I came to the RAC only to listen to the old poet whose funny poetry has dominated the country. At the very least, I have gotten my money’s worth by coming and listening to Anwar Masood,” said Naseer Ahmed, a serving army man based in Rawalpindi.

Mujtaba Shah, a university student, said he never had the chance to hear Professor Masood’s poetry live and had eagerly been waiting for an opportunity. “At last, I’ve gotten a chance to hear the legendry poet,” he said.

Giving an overview of Professor Masood’s personal and professional life, poet Sarfaraz Shahid said that all the famous poets such as Ahmed Faraz, Munir Niazi, Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi and Amjad Islam Amjad had praised Masood’s accomplishments.

In a poem paying tribute to the professor, Sarfaraz Shahid depicted Masood’s personality in a lively and amusing manner.

In the end, the host of the event, humorous poet Dr Inamul Haq Javaid, praised Professor Masood and the RAC administration for providing an opportunity to the residents of twin cities to have a hearty laugh while enjoying an evening of poetry.

The chief guest, Rawalpindi Commissioner Zahid Saeed, thanked the famous poet for accepting the RAC’s invitation.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 2^nd,  2012.