A new Pashto poetry collection launched

F.P. Report

PESHAWAR: Participants at an event have termed a new poetry volume an addition to progressive thought of Pashto.  Poets, writers and intellectuals gathered to appreciate poetry collection Su Jawanda Mazal (The journey through lives) recently published and authored by a noted poet progressive Pashto Rashid Khattak.  Pohantoon Adabi Stori (PAS) a literary organization comprised young university students conducted the launching ceremony at Pashto academy, Maulana Abdul Qadir Hall, University of Peshawar, here on Friday.

University students, teachers and fans of progressive poetry attended the event. Bahar Wazir, a young PhD scholar at the University of Peshawar presented a brief introduction of Rashid Khattak. He said that Mr Khattak had enriched Pashto literature by rendering the ‘Alchemist and the ‘Tales of Italy’ from English into Pashto and novel of an Afghan writer, Saaduddin Shapoon into Urdu. He said Mr Khattak being a journalist, translator, prose writer and poet had excelled in all fields.

Abaseen Yousafzai, chief of PAS said that Mr Khattak’s literary style of expression stemmed from his sharp vision and imaginative flight. He said poetry for him (Rashid Khattak) had always remained a powerful vehicle of expression to give vent to public sentiments along with romantic tones and undertones.  He said progressive poetry in Pashto still enjoyed widespread reputation for being expressive of substantial change in the society and objective criticism of class -ridden   ideology

Senior poet, Samina Qadir while speaking as chief guest on the occasion said that woman writers found little space in literature because of our so -called social taboos. She said woman writers had great talent in them and should be encouraged at all levels. “I appreciate Rashid Khattak for being among those literati who dedicated time and money for promoting a social cause,” she said.  She maintained that writers abroad made lot of money out their writings but our literati spent their own money to bring out their books and even gifted them out to their friends and relatives.

Research scholar, Noorul Amin Yousafzai pointed out that Rashid Khattak’s first poetry collection had also lent a romantic charm to the treasure trove of modern Pashto thought and his recent book would also prove a crash course to motivate the upcoming young bards owing to his lofty thoughts.   He said Mr Khattak had introduced new poetic expressions through his powerful diction to register his resistance to the power players of the society and the world at large.

Prof Sher Zaman Seemab, Prof Zar Mohamad Sangar and Tayyabullah Khan also spoke at the function while Umar Ali Umar Khattak rendered one of Rashid Khattak’s ghazals in his velvety voice and received great applause from the audience. Later, a mushaira was also held in which poets presented their pieces.