Karachi: The Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi hosted an extended lecture by the religious scholar Ayatullah Allama Syed Aqeel-ul-Gharavi, focusing on the topic "The Genre of Salam in Urdu Poetry: A Study in Creative Tradition and Critical Insight." The event, held at Haseena Moin Hall, attracted an audience of writers, poets, researchers, academics, students, and literature enthusiasts. Syed Javed Hassan conducted the proceedings, while Mohammad Ahmed Shah, President of the Arts Council, welcomed the distinguished speaker.
According to Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, Ayatullah Allama Syed Aqeel-ul-Gharavi emphasized the rich literary heritage of Salam in Urdu poetry, noting its distinctive intellectual significance despite being less prolific than the ghazal. He elucidated the historical roots of various Urdu poetic forms in Persian and Arabic traditions and highlighted the unique qualities that set Salam apart from other genres, such as its focus on spirituality and divine love, contrasting with the worldly themes of the ghazal.
Ayatullah Al-Gharavi encouraged further scholarly exploration of Salam and Qasida, pointing out their shared poetic structures and the opportunities they present for academic research. He also discussed the portrayal of Imam Hussain (AS) in Marsiya and Salam, advocating for a focus on his resilience and moral grandeur rather than solely on suffering.
Mohammad Ahmed Shah praised Ayatullah Allama Syed Aqeel-ul-Gharavi's profound scholarship and expressed the Arts Council's commitment to fostering intellectual discourse. He announced plans for a future interactive session with university students to encourage critical thinking and dialogue. The event concluded with a visit to the Josh Malihabadi Library, where Ayatullah-ul-Gharavi commended the Arts Council's contributions to literature and scholarship.