IT was a week marked by the city’s love for the arts. Two book launches, a tribute to a legendary poet and a performance on stage attracted the media’s attention. On Dec 9, 1974, homage was paid to legendary marsiya writer Mir Babbar Ali Anees for his ‘symbolic, allegorical and descriptive’ poetry by speakers at a meeting organised to observe the poet’s 100th death anniversary. Presiding over the event organised under the auspices of the Pakistan National Centre, Allama Nasirul Ijtihadi said Mir Anees had great command at narrative description of nature and its beauty. His work was a poetic account of historical events. Syed Murtaza Hussain opined that by turning to the beauty of nature, Mir Anees developed a new version of Urdu poetry. Ikramul Haq and Zamir Ali in their speeches highlighted that the poet’s work was an excellent example of continuity of thought and a good choice of words.

The next day, on Dec 10, La Haasil and Jeewe Pakistan,two collections of Jamiluddin Aali’s poems, were launched. The President of the Anjuman Taraqqi-i-Urdu Pakistan, Akhtar Hussain, presided. He pointed out that the poet had touched upon the tragic realities of life in his distinct style. Aali sahib had come out with the books after a gap of 17 years because he was involved in promoting literary and educational activities in Pakistan. The president talked about the literary services of the poet for national unity and Urdu’s promotion. “National songs of Aali reflects his love for the country and humanity,” he remarked. Apart from the Anjuman’s president, Prof Mumtaz Hussain, Zia Jalandhari, Saleem Ahmed and Farman Fatehpuri shed light on the finer points of the collections.

Then on Dec 14, a collection of Himayat Ali Shair’s verses Mitti Ka Qarz was launched at the Pakistan National Centre. Scholar Akhtar Hussain Raipuri was the chief guest on the occasion. “The poet has used the medium of verse to express hope, despair and confidence.” Muslim Ziai, to whom Shair sahib had dedicated the book, said the poet represented the new generation of writers. Prof Mumtaz Hussain, Mirza Zafarul Hasan, Sahar Ansari, Ahmed Hamdani and Mohsin Bhopali also spoke.

A couple of other forms of expression made the headlines as well. On Dec 9, Rashid Ahmed Arshad’s exhibition of paintings was inaugurated at the Arts Council Karachi. The 30 exhibits on display depicted the artist’s peculiar approach to art. According to a critic, the artist had competently employed calligraphy in all its dimensions by creating abstract forms, conveying rhythm and curves, the hallmark of his modern approach to creativity.

Speaking of rhythm, on Dec 12, basic techniques of ballet were demonstrated by the students of the Karachi School of Ballet at the Goethe Institut. Ten youngsters illustrated the coordination between mind and music, dancing to classical compositions of the likes of Beethoven and Tchaikovsky.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2024