Karachi: Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi celebrated the 91st birth anniversary of the Urdu poet Ahmed Faraz at the Josh Malihabadi Library. The event featured notable speakers who highlighted Faraz’s poetry and his contributions to literature.
According to a statement by Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, the ceremony was attended by renowned poetess Zehra Nigah, scholar Noman ul Haq, and Dr. Fatima Hassan. They discussed Faraz’s creative journey and how his works resonated with audiences across generations. The event began with a cake-cutting ceremony to mark the poet’s birthday and was moderated by Dr. Rukhsana Saba.
In her address, Zehra Nigah emphasized the universal appeal of Faraz’s poetry and its ability to bring smiles to people’s faces. She noted that Faraz’s father, a teacher of Persian, influenced his poetry, enriching it with Persian elegance and artistry.
Noman ul Haq spoke about Faraz’s popularity, recalling his visits to Bangladesh where large crowds gathered to see him, even if they did not understand Urdu. Haq highlighted the expansiveness of Faraz’s poetry, arguing against labeling him narrowly as a poet of women.
Dr. Fatima Hassan reflected on Faraz’s poetic journey, noting he wrote his first poem at nine. She praised his work in both Urdu and Persian, describing him as a poet of revolution and resistance. She highlighted his themes of love, longing, and migration, which were celebrated by the poetry lovers in attendance.