Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, hosted an insightful lecture by Dr. Nasir Abbas Nayyar on the topic “Shehr and Shairi” (City and Poetry) at the Josh Malihabadi Library. The event drew the attendance of renowned literary figures such as President of the Arts Council, Muhammad Ahmed Shah, Ghazi Salahuddin, AmbareenHaseeb Ambar, Fatima Hassan, and Akhlaq Ahmed.
Ghazi Salahuddin presided over the session, with poet AmbreenHaseeb Ambar introducing the theme in depth. Ghazi Salahuddin noted that the poetry of cities could fill many volumes, as urban experiences and transformations are often reflected in verse. He cited the works of ZeeshanSahil, who has written evocatively about the changing conditions of Karachi.
Dr. Nasir Abbas Nayyar, during his lecture, drew attention to the distinction between the literary traditions of rural and urban areas. He explained that literature in villages is typically oral, while in cities, it has a written form. Writing in cities, he noted, originated from commercial rather than literary needs.
“The concept of a city cannot exist without writing,” he asserted, emphasizing how writing has become intertwined with the urban experience. Dr. Nayyar further explored how folklore, particularly in Punjabi folk literature, tends to lack historical elements, whereas cities are defined by their connection to both history and modernity.
He explained that these characteristics are integral to cities globally. Referencing British scientist and novelist C.P. Snow’s 1959 lecture “The Two Cultures,” Dr. Nayyar discussed the divide between scientists and writers, highlighting the need for more cross-disciplinary understanding.
=====
