LAHORE: A literary festival in Multan gathered the writers and literati of south Punjab under one roof to discuss fiction, poetry and performing arts.

A large number of poets, writers and actors from Rajanpur, DG Khan, Muzaffargarh, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur, Khanewal and Multan participated in the one-day litfest organised by the Multan Arts Forum (MAF) at the Multan Tea House on Saturday.

It had five sessions, including book launches, talks with fiction and drama writer Sahir Shafique, poets Zulfiqar Adil and Mumtaz Athar, and a classical music performance.

In the reading session, Nayyar Mustafa read out from his novelette Dheshma while the books launched on the day included Aklaiy Logon Ka Hajoom and Khudkushi Ka Dawat Nama by Sahir Shafique, A Man by Dr Khalid Saeed and a tenth installment of Satoor, a prose poetry collection.

Four short films and documentaries premiered were A Year in Glance, The Saviour, Daldal and Barish Baras Rahi Ho Tou.

Poet Mumtaz Athar was given a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to literature. He recited some of his famous ghazals and poems.

A session was held with the eminent poet Zulfiqar Adil, who recited poetry from his book Sharq Mere Shumal Mein, playwright Agha Sadaf Mehdi narrated his play titled Tamasa Gar whereas young actors Wajeehul Hassan and Waqar Ahsan performed.

Sahir Shafique recited some of his famous prose poems and a piece of fiction in yet another session.

Musical night was held with Ustad Tanveerul Hassan Saagar who sang ghazals and classical songs accompanied by Sarangi player Ustad Akhter Hussain Khan.

Radio artiste Ali Naqvi held a talk with poet and journalist Raziuddin Razi on freedom of press and current state of journalism in the country. Mr Razi said there was no freedom of the press or writing in the country and print journalism was being discouraged under a plan. He said electronic media and institutes of journalism in the universities were damaging the cause of journalism.

Qazi Ali Abul Hassan had a conversation with Sahir Shafique.

Seven young writers, poets and filmmakers were awarded Khalid Saeed Award under writing and film making categories. They included Zeba Noor, Ghazanfar Abbas, Nawal Mehdi, Hamza Yaqoob, Ghulam Abbas, Abdullah Mukhtar Anjum and Muhammad Ali Imran.

Published in Dawn, March 23rd, 2022