MINGORA: Two books, ‘Ghata Khazana’ and ‘Manzil Ba Manzil’ were launched at a ceremony here on Friday.

Organised by Swat Adabi Sanga, the ceremony was attended by poets, writers, scholars, historians, researchers and civil society members. The function was presided over by historian Pervez Shaheen and novelist Ibrahim Shabnam.

Ghata Khazana, which is a collection of life and works of about 50 unnoticed poets in the region, was researched and complied by late Rahim Shah Rahim, a poet, novelist and scholar. The book was published after his death.

“The book is an outcome of the 30 years of research of late Rahim uncovering detailed background and works of the about 50 unknown poets of the region. Thanks to Rahim Shah for introducing the poets to the world, otherwise, they would have gone unnoticed and their poetical works remained anonymous,” Atta ur Reham Atta, a poet and teacher, said.

Mohammad Ali Dina Khel, a researcher, while presenting his article on Ghata Khazana lauded the research done by late Rahim Shah Rahim and said that like all his previous books of poetry and prose he carried out the laborious work of compiling Ghata Khazana professionally.

Suvastu Arts and Culture Association’s chairman, Usman Ulasyar termed the book as a rare collection of the unnoticed poets of Pashto literature. “The book is not only a precious addition of poets and their poetry but also reminds us about the political and historical structure of the past. It is a historical chronology in the literary circles,” he said.

Manzi Ba Manzil is an anthology of three travelogues written by Fazal Rabi Rahi.

“Narration of the travelogues is a bit different from traditional travelogues as the writer has actually narrated what he saw. He walked readers through streets of Europe and Dubai having comparisons with his own country,” said Tasdiq Iqbal Babu, while talking on the book.

Attaullah Jan, a poet and critic, said Manzil Ba Manzil was important as it was the first travelogue of Urdu language written in the region.

“The pure journalistic and easy style of narration makes it more prominent from other travelogues,” he said.

Mohammad Tahir Bostan Khail, another writer, said the book was a must read for those who wanted to see Europe and Dubai as the writer narrated scenes with imagery.

Published in Dawn, December 27th, 2015