Karachi: Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi organized a book launch ceremony for "Story Circle," a collection of letters on creativity and friendship by writers Fatima Ijaz and Taha Kehar. The event was held at the Josh Malihabadi Library, with Taha Kehar attending in person and Fatima Ijaz participating via video link. The session, which included a discussion on the book's themes, was moderated by Syed Kashif Raza.
According to Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, Fatima Ijaz expressed through a video link that poetry forms her core identity and influences those around her. She emphasized the inseparability of art and life, noting that her work reflects her continuous experimentation with writing. Ijaz described poetry as a crucial element of human interaction and communication. She stated that for her, being a poet is not just an aspect of her identity but its essence, and that a genuine writer lives authentically through their craft.
Taha Kehar explained that "Story Circle" serves as an imagined dialogue with a friend from whom he has grown apart. He acknowledged criticism regarding the portrayal of men in the book and attributed his perspective to his upbringing in a predominantly female household. Kehar shared his ongoing work on a novel about male friendship, which he noted has required significant research, unlike his previous works focused on women. The event was attended by numerous literary, social, and academic figures.
