THESE days, the crisscrossing roads (call it an underpass) near the Abdullah Shah Ghazi shrine has blocked the view of the magnificent Jehangir Kothari Parade. Times change, no one can do anything about it, even at the cost of pushing history way behind. The fact of the matter is that it once used to be one of the important landmarks in Karachi. This is the reason that on Dec 5, 1972 it was reported that the popular parade which had lost its charm over the years was now being given a new look following instructions given by the President of Pakistan, Z A Bhutto.

Built for citizens of Karachi by the well-known philanthropist Jehangir H Kothari in 1921, the place had to suffer neglect. Its structure was in a bad shape. It was maintained by the Karachi Municipal Corporation ever since it was donated to the people of the city. The renovation work had been entrusted by the president to the Karachi Development Authority (KDA).

From a philanthropist to a literary critic: the same day, a meeting was held under the auspices of various literary bodies at the Idara-i-Yadgar-i-Ghalib to condole the death of eminent Marxist writer, poet and critic Prof Ehtesham Husain who had passed away on Dec 1 in India.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Majnoon Gorakhpuri said that a work of literature that could not invoke progressiveness among the masses was a futile piece of writing. He paid glowing tributes to the late Mr Husain for his contribution to Urdu literature as a poet, a short story writer and a critic. “He never hesitated to absorb literary influence from any source and successfully conveyed his feelings through literature in a progressive manner.”

Another form of expression was also in the news that week. On Dec 8, an exhibition of Gul Mohammad Khatri’s artworks was inaugurated by the Provincial Minister for Excise, Taxation and Industries, Haji Kassim Patel, at the Arts Council. Writing a review of the show, Dawn pointed out, “Khatri has once again portrayed rural Sindh and illustrated it with verses of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai highlighting the rich tradition of the lower Indus Valley. The exhibition of more than 100 paintings is a specimen of good craftsmanship. He has succeeded in recreating authentic atmosphere of rural life, capturing various aspects of Sindhi traditions and customs with vigour in different media — watercolour, pastels and oils.”

That was not it — cultural events were happening thick and fast. On Dec 9, a visiting group of Turkish and Iranian journalists were given a reception by the Pakistan-Turkish Cultural Association at a local hotel. Addressing the audience, a senior member of the visitors, Hasan Sabri, said that he and members of his delegation were feeling at home among their Pakistani colleagues.

Staying on the subject of groups, on Dec 10, the Baloch Students Organisation (Awami Group) demanded complete abolition of the Sardari system in Balochistan’s tribal areas. In a resolution adopted after a two-day All Pakistan Convention at Katrak Hall, it called for establishing key industries in Balochistan so that the common man could get employment. It also called for nationalisation of all natural resources.

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2022