CHITRAL, Dec 2: Speakers at condolence meeting paid tributes to Khowar writer, poet and singer late Gul Nawaz Khaki here the other day and described him a trend-setter in literature and singing. Mr Khaki died recently.

Held under the aegis of Anjuman-i-Taraqqi Khowar Chitral, the meeting was addressed by distinguished writers, poets and intellectuals, including Dr Inayatullah Faizi, Amir Khan Mir, Maula Nigah, Maulana Naqeebullah Razi, Maghfirat Shah, Ghulam Mohammad, Nawab Khan, Yousuf Shahzad and others.

The speakers said Gul Nawaz Khaki had covered all aspects of Khowar literature and being a prolific writer he added eleven books to the treasure of the language and preserved the local culture in printed form as well.

They said that Mr Khaki was a symbol of Chitrali culture and greatly contributed to the performing arts and it was he who made a programme in Khowar language a success when it was started from Radio Pakistan, Peshawar in 1965.

Mr Khaki also edited the first ever monthly journal in Khowar language started by the Press Information Department in late 1960s, they said, adding that the magazine contributed to the advancement of Khowar language and literature.

“Both as a writer and poet, he had a particular style which no one can emulate and he left a deep imprint on the topic he chose to write about, and there is hardly anything which evaded his attention,” said a speaker.

The speakers said Mr Khaki was a bridge between the old and new generation of writers, poets and artists as he possessed the characteristics of the both.

The speakers said as singer and performer, Mr Khaki sang hundreds of folksongs for Radio Pakistan.—Correspondent