Sargodha University organised Monday a literary session to discuss at length the personality and literary work of renowned bilingual writer and poet Harris Khalique.
Besides Khalique, who is also the secretary general of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), former deputy accountant general of Pakistan Sheraz Haider, and seasoned journalist Sabookh Syed were also among the panelists.
Sheraz Haider, while speaking about the life and work of Harris Khalique, said that since Harris hails from the heterogeneous society of Karachi, therefore, his literary work was full of diversity and heterogeneity. “Harris’ Nazam revolves around common man and depicts its sufferings and joys,” he added.
He further said that Harris’ literature was nothing all about social stratification, but it also engulfed love and harmony. Sabookh Syed was of the opinion that poetry was the artistic representation of human thoughts and dreams, and of tragedies a society went through. It reflected and regulated human emotions beyond the limits of time and space while standing beside the oppressed.
“It is commendable that Haris always challenged the deleterious ideas and values prevailing in the society and produced a literature that opposes the dominating practice of putting human thought in chains. Instead of producing market-oriented content that sold cheap dreams and attracts youth the most, Haris attempted to rebuild the basis of character and consciousness,” he further said.
While commenting about his work and inspirations, Harris said that he tried to give voice to the agonies of Karachi city, as he has witnessed the ‘city of lights’ drowning into the dark.
Art acts in opposition to the power and its impact lasts for longer period of time as in the case of Manto’s work, which is quite relevant even today, he said, adding that artist, in one way or other, challenges the prevailing norms and raises voice against the vicious circle where the mighty gets mightier and the weak gets weaker by every passing day.
The session was attended by Vice Chancellor Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad, Director PICS Dr Fazalur Rahman, Chairman Department of Urdu and Oriental Languages, and a large number of students from various departments. The talk was followed by an interactive Q&A session.
