Feminine touch: Celebrating women writers and poets

"If a woman’s perspective is missing in literature, it is an incomplete reflection of society,” says Kishwar Naheed.


Our Correspondent December 06, 2012

ISLAMABAD:


While there are few women writers and poets in the country, they make their presence felt every now and then. They were celebrated for their unique contributions during a women’s poetry recital (Khawateen Mushaira) held at the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) on Tuesday.


Women poets from the twin cities, Gujrat, Muzaffarabad, Peshawar and Faisalabad converged to show solidarity and appreciation for each other. “Women’s work in various literary cannons requires acknowledgment as they bring a unique aspect to Urdu literature,” remarked PAL Chairman Abdul Hameed.

“Women writers and poets touch upon aspects of society that need to be talked about. If a woman’s perspective is missing in literature, it is an incomplete reflection of society,” said noted poet, writer and activist Kishwar Naheed while speaking as chief guest.

Much to the audience’s delight she read some excerpts from her poetry that touched upon the human condition, and the inherent capacity for love.

Urdu poet and critic from Gujrat, Shaheen Mufti recited her poem on conflicts in the Muslim world which is plagued by extremism.

Many

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Mufti noted that Pakistanis are in a state of confusion between the extremes of religious fundamentalism and modernity. “Modernity is a reality for the cities. The voices of the majority must be heard and given weight,” Mufti argued.

Writer and columnist Aisha Malik, winner of the Parveen Shakir Award, recited two ghazals that capitalised in the melancholy romance. Her first ghazal, “There is no news of spring in the air,” set the precedent for despondency. However her second ghazal was somewhat optimistic, “A ray of light will emerge from somewhere.”

While talking about the decline of the book culture, Malik noted that storytelling and the tradition of folklore is being neglected, restricting our outlook on life. “These are our stories from which we draw our collective beauty, we must revive these colours by gifting each other books,” added Malik.

Participants unanimously noted that such events should be held if new writers are to be encouraged and older ones celebrated. The diversity of poetry presented at the event also defied all notions of women’s writing being necessarily feminist, as many of the poets present boldly tackled universal concepts.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 6th, 2012.

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