Sada-e-Watan
Sydney ™
sadaewatan@gmail.com
Dr Shabbir Haider's "Sarmaya",Kaniz
Fatima's "Zar e Gul", & Huma Mirza's "Bin Tere Zindagi Karna"
Function in Sydney for Taqreeb-e-
Roonamai of three Urdu Poetry Collections
(Coverage by Syed Zafar Hussain)
Three Urdu poetry collections, Dr Shabbir Haider’s “Sarmaya,” Mrs Kaneez Fatima Kiran’s “Zar-e-Gul,” and Mrs Huma Mirza’s “Bin Tere Zindagi Karna” were launched on the evening of Friday 25 February 2011 in a beautiful book-launch function held at the Banquet Hall of Himalaya Restaurant in Granville Sydney under the auspices of Urdu Forum Australia. Sydney’s senior most poet and writer Janab Om Krishan Rahat chaired the function. Mr Ashraf Shad, from Brunei University, Brunei was the Guest of Honour. A selective gathering of guests and patrons of Urdu poetry and literature attended the book launch and the dinner.
The guests were warmly welcomed by the MC Arif Sadiq on behalf of Dr Shabbir Haider, Mrs Kaneez Fatima Kiran and Mrs Huma Mirza. The audience were given two good news, The legendary Urdu Poet Janab Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s 100th Birthday will be celebrated in Sydney by the Urdu Forum and the Urdu Chair has been established in the University of Sydney.
Mr Dallas Cooke, Coordinator of the Urdu Chair made a brief speech and informed that he is working with Mr Zawar Hussain Shah who has been appointed as a Lecturer to start Urdu classes in the University. It is a significant development that will help promote Urdu language and literature in Australia.(Syed Zawar Hussain Shah's appointment made through Sada-e-Watan).
1.
“Bin Tere Zidagi Karna”
Mrs Huma Mirza’s poetry collection “Bin Tere Zindagi Karna” was launched first by the Chair. Janab Om Krishan Rahat said that Huma Mirza has has a natural talent to write poetry and has written beautiful Ghazals. Mrs Kaneez Fatima talked about her close association with Huma Mirza as a friend and a poet. She said Huma has the ability to write gazal and nazam with ease. Mrs Farhat Iqbal gave a brief review of the book and stated that Huma’s poetry is very original. She has expressed her emotions and experiences in her poetry and has maintained a classical touch in her Ghazals. Huma's daughter, Miss Muneeza Mirza paid a tribute to her mother, saying that her mother is an honest, brave, loving and a very caring person. She further stated, "whether its her A grade/gold medal academic career in which she never allowed herself to be second in class, her motherly instincts or her selfless love for her parents, my mother has been outstanding in all forms and a role model for me". Mrs Huma Mirza recited her poetry and both her nazams and ghazals were thoroughly liked by the audience.
2.
“Zar-e-Gul”
“Zar-e-Gul” was also launched by the Chair. Janab Om Krishan Rahat stated that Mrs Kaneez Fatima Kiran comes from an educated and intellectual family and her husband Dr Mehmood Ali was also a writer and published four books on scientific subjects. She has been writing poetry for more than twenty years and has the ability to write on sensitive and difficult subjects. She has written both nazams and ghazals. Mrs Kaneez Fatima’s younger sister Mrs Sabiha Bano said that both sisters grew-up in a joint family. Mrs Kaneez Fatima was a brilliant student. She did Masters in Urdu language and literature from Karachi University winning first position and a Gold Medal. She praised her as a kind and supportive sister. Mr Mirza presented a brief review of ‘Zar-e-Gul’ and stated that Mrs Kaneez Fatima has written very mature and classic poetry. She seems impressed with feminist Urdu poets and has written on sensitive and complex subjects without compromising their romantic and poetic beauty. Mrs Kaneez Fatima recited her poetry and was very well appreciated by the audience.
3.
“Sarmaya”
Advisor of Sada-e-Watan,Dr Shabbir Haider’s poetry collection “Sarmaya” was also launched by the Chair. Janab Om Krishan Rahat said that Dr Haider has written on a variety of subjects but his ghazal has classical touch. Mr Saeed Khan said that he has known Dr Haider for the past 15 years. He admires Dr Haider as a gentle and kind person who has firm belief in old values of mutual respect and trust. His personal characteristics are reflected in his poetry. Ms Noshi Gilani, who herself is a prominent Urdu poetess, gave a brief review of the book. Ms Gilani said that Dr Haider has written nazams, ghazals and mankabat with the same poetic beauty and classical touch. She said that Dr Haider could have published his book long time ago but he preferred to wait until he was satisfied of its quality. Mr Ashraf Shad also paid tribute to Dr Haider, his poetry and commended his services for Urdu language and literature in Australia. Dr Shabbir Haider presented his poetry that included a ghazal with “tarannum” which was very much liked by the audience.
Honourable guest Dr Gurcharan Sigh Siddhu has been awarded “Community Award” by the New South Wales Government for his services to the Sikh community in Australia. Dr Siddhu’s achievement and recognition was shared by the audience with a big congratulation and applaud.
The guests enjoyed the dinner after the book launch. Although it was almost 11pm, but most the of guests stayed for a brief “Mushaira.” Local and guest poets, Mr Muhammad Ali Bukhari, Mr Rehan Alvi, Mr Salik Hameed Khawaja, Mrs Farida Lakhany, Mr Tauqir Hasnain, Mrs Farhat Iqbal, Mr saeed Khan, Ms Noshi Gilani, Mr Ashraf Shad and Janab Om Krishan Rahat recited their Urdu poetry. It was a beautiful evening celebrated with grace and dignity that guests will remember for a long time. The MC congratulated the poets for the launch of their poetry collections and thanked all guests and patrons for their participation.
