The University of Gujrat in collaboration with the National language Authority (NLA) will arrange ‘Aik Shaam Faiz Key Naam’, an evening dedicated to the renowned poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz on October 3. A number of literary personalities will pay tribute to Faiz through reading extracts from his poetic collections.
The government has declared 2011 as the Faiz Year and a number of events including seminar, conferences and exhibitions have been arranged across the country. Talking to APP, famous literary figure Iftikhar Arif said the revolutionary ideas of Faiz and his innovative portrayal of universal realities of life in his poetry would continue to mesmerise the literature lovers in the coming generations.
Faiz Ahmed Faiz, prominently known as a progressive writer, has brought revolutionary changes to the way poetry was written and combined socio-political messages and revolutionary ideas with the sweetness of Urdu language. He was known as poet of humanity and his love for human beings, social values, motherland, and his ideology are prominent feature of his poetry. He remained committed to his ideology throughout his life to maintain peace, freedom, equality and justice in the country and took practical steps besides his writings.
His works during the period of his imprisonment and exile were acknowledged as best literature in the world and his work has been translated into different languages of the world. Faiz was an outstanding poet and his kind and loving nature was a source of attraction for the people. Another literary personality, Dr Rashid Hameed said his poetry was like a beacon of light for the oppressed segments of the society and the voice of the poor people’s conscience.
He said the ever-green poetry of Faiz was the reflective of aspiration of masses as well as national spirit of independence movement. Literary circles consider Faiz mere a revolutionary poet and ignore multi-dimensional aspects of his poetry in which he represents the realistic ideas with aesthetic beauty. Faiz had used the medium of poetry to create awareness among the masses about the importance of independence and individual identity for which he suffered a lot during his life, but never compromised on his principles and national interest, Dr Rashid said.
Earlier, Urdu poetry recited in an ordinary style and was full of romanticism. Faiz touched the realities of life in a revolutionary style. His poetry gives the message of patriotism and struggle and the new generation should get guidance from the thought- provoking ideas of Faiz, he said. Apart from being a great revolutionary poet, he was a great romantic poet and his love for humanity was free from the prejudices of race, colour and nationality.
Faiz’s `Nuskha’a-e Wafa’ is one of the most famous poetry books. He wrote `Naqsh Faryadi’, `Dast-e Saba’, `Zindan Nama’, `Sir Wadi Sina’, `Shaam Shahre Yaran’ and `Mere Dil Merey Musafir.’
