Poets, writers term Wahid Siraj’s maiden poetry collection as fresh addition on literary horizon
The literary landscape of the twin cities was enriched Thursday as poets, intellectuals, and writers gathered at the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) to celebrate the launch of Wahid Siraj’s maiden poetry collection, RoshniAikHadsa Hay (Light is an Accident). The ceremony, jointly organized by the Dharti Rang Writers and PAL, served as a platform for speakers to hail Siraj as a significant new voice on the literary horizon.
Presided over by the distinguished writer and poet Muhammad Izhar-ul-Haq, the event featured eminent fiction writer Muhammad HameedShahid as the Chief Guest. The proceedings, elegantly moderated by Sofia Shahid, brought together a galaxy of literary figures including Ahmed HussainMujahid, Syed Majid Shah, Amir Sohail, NargisJahanzeb, and Akhtar Raza Saleemi.
During his presidential address, Muhammad Izhar-ul-Haq lauded Wahid Siraj’s ability to blend contemporary sensibilities with traditional depth. He described the poems as both appealing and revealing, characterized by a unique “flight of imagination.” Expressing a sense of pleasant surprise at the maturity of the work, Izhar-ul-Haq questioned why Siraj had waited so long to share such a “rare literary treasure” with the public, urging the poet to continue writing to inspire the hearts and minds of readers.
Chief Guest Muhammad HameedShahid offered a deep dive into the book’s provocative title. He noted that the concept of RoshniAikHadsa Hay resonates with the very origins of existence, drawing a parallel between the “accident” of light and the Big Bang. Shahid argued that in Siraj’s vision, an accident is not merely a catastrophe but a transformative event that can lead to wisdom and positive evolution. He praised Siraj for composing verses that possess a “strong human appeal,” tackling the existential questions that humanity has grappled with for centuries. The ceremony also featured critical insights from other noted intellectuals. AkhtarRazaSaleemi and NargisJahanzeb highlighted the technical and thematic nuances of the book, noting Siraj’s keen eye for detail and his sensitive soul.
