Zubair Qureshi
Siraiki poet and writer SaeedAkhtar (1964-2021) highlighted rich traditions and culture of SiraikiWaseb (region) and his poems and ghazals are important not only from the poetic standards of the day but they also contributed a great deal in reviving the old Siraiki proverbs, metaphors and quotations, etc.
These views were expressed by SaeedAkhtar’s colleagues, friends, Siraiki poets and scholars at the launching ceremony of his poetry collection ‘Parwarwar’ (Distant & Remote) posthumously. The book launch was organized jointly by AknafAdbi Forum and Siraiki Academy at the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL).
It goes to the credit of SaeedAkhtar’s longtime poet friend, President of AknafAdbi Forum, senior media person and son of D.I. Khan KashifRehmanKashif who collected SaeedAkhtar’s scattered work—poems, ghazals, songs, Kaafi (mystic poems) etc—and brought out a 112-page book published by ‘Kaaf’ publications. The book is available at bookstores for PKR 800.
Parwarwar is the 5th book that was published after Saeed’s death. Apart from it there are four poetic collections to his name. A collection of World Literature translated into Siraiki titled ‘Rangoli’ is also one of his masterpieces.
Senior Siraiki poet Khawar Ahmed presided over the book launching ceremony while Director General (DG) of the PAL, Sultan Nasir was the Chief Guest.
Among those who spoke on the occasion and highlighted various aspects of SaeedAkhtar’s poetry and poetic genius included senior poet WafaChishti, Prof RashidaMaheen Malik, DrSadia Kamal, ShahidDhureja, Jahangir Mukhlis, IftikharSherazi, DrShahabSafdar, MazharArif, Ramish Ali (son), Mohan Bhagat and others.
Khawar Ahmed said the book shows SaeedAkhtar’s love (obsession) for his native language (Siraiki) and his commitment to the language.
He experimented with the language, its diversity and scope, etc. Khawar called Saeed a man of ideas who always thought of others, human beings, animals, birds, nature. After reading SaeedAkhtar one cannot help agreeing that Siraiki is the sweetest language, he said.
DG PAL, Sultan Nasir said SaeedAkhtar was deeply rooted deeply in his soil and is a prominent voice. Not only in poetry but also in Siraiki language SaeedAkhtar made rich contributions, said Sultan Nasir.
DrShahabSafdar credited SaeedAkhtar for writing ‘ghazal’ in Siraiki. ‘Paroarwar’ is no doubt an anthology of poems whose each line is full of wisdom and vision. WafaChishti also paid rich tributes to SaeedAkhtar for reviving Siraiki language, its ancient charm and beauty. We come across many ‘akhaan’ that are no longer existent and SaeedAkhtar uses them with equal ease.
