Zubair Qureshi
Rich tributes were paid to the ‘Shair-e-Inqilab’ Josh Malihabadi (Dec 5, 1898-Feb 22, 1982) at the National Literary Seminar marking the 39th death anniversary of the revolutionary poet.
The seminar was organized by the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) in collaboration with the Josh Literary Foundation and the Josh Memorial Commit-
tee.
Former Chairman of the PAL Iftikhar Arif presided over the seminar.
Eminent scholar Dr Ghazanfar Mehdi was the chief guest while Dr Yousuf Khushk, Chairman, PAL, gave the welcome speech.
Poet Hassan Abbas Raza, Muhammad Hameed Shahid, Akhtar Usman, Zia-ud-Din Naeem, Tabassum Akhlaq Malihabadi, Usman Ghani Raad and Malik Fida-ur-Rehman expressed their views. Farrukh Jamal Malihabadi expressed his gratitude. Mehboob Zafar was the moderator.
Iftikhar Arif in his presidential address held Josh had a command of Urdu poem and prose and his autobiography ‘Yadon ki Baraat’ is still the best-seller and all time popular work of prose.
Iftikhar Arif said the year 2021 was important as this year the entire poetry of Josh Malihabadi has been published in 3 volumes in which Dr. Hilal Naqvi included his published and unpublished speeches.
This is the beginning of a new chapter in science that will help the poet understand the creative richness of the revolution. After Iqbal, Josh has emerged as one of our most prominent poets.
Dr Yousuf Khushk, Chairman, PAL, while delivering the welcome address, said there are many aspects of the poetry of the Joh Malih population that need constant research. He made humanity the subject of his poetry.He was an eloquent poet.
He had a vast vocabulary. He knew the meaning and background of the written word. His poetry is full of thunder, accents, and passion.
The revolutionary poems of Josh Malihabadi include the call for revolution, the current situation, the national slogan of the states, the rebellious man and the new system. Josh Malihabadi’s well-known autobiography “Yadoon Ki Barat” is a very valuable asset in our biographical literature.
Dr. Ghazanfar Mehdi said Josh Malihabadi was a great poet and a towering personality.
There is fluency and eloquence in his poetry. Undoubtedly, it is a very valuable asset of our poetry and literature. He spoke about his long association with the Josh Malihabadi and his participation in various poetry readings.
Hassan Abbas Raza said Josh wrote Urdu poems and Rubaiyat as well as songs. He gave memorable songs and hymns to the Pakistan film industry.
Muhammad Hameed Shahid said Joh Malihabadi was a poet of revolution and a poet of Shabab. They were an association in their own right. His poetry ruled and he himself was subjugated. Akhtar Usman said that Josh gave a high tone to Urdu poetry. He said that Josh wrote revolutionary poetry in spite of severe torture by the exploitative forces.
Zia-ud-Din Naeem said that Josh Malihabadi was a Muslim poet. Tabassum Akhlaq said that Josh Malihabadi was a family figure. Usman Ghani Raad said that Josh has a great role in revolutionary literature. Malik Fida-ur-Rehman said that Josh Malihabadi was a great poet.
