Tributes paid to Azm Behzad
Zaib Azkaar Hussain
Karachi: Prominent poet Azm Behzad was paid glowing tributes by writers at a condolence reference held at Arts Council of Pakistan here on Friday.
The speakers reached a conclusion that Azm Behazad was a genuine modern poet who must be remembered by bringing out his “Kuleeyat” (a huge collection of poetry covering his entire work), and urged upon the government bodies dealing with writers and literature, especially the Academy of Letters, to assist the bereaved family of Azm Behzad in economic terms in recognition of Behazad’s contribution for the promotion of literature in Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion, President Arts Council Muhammad Ahmed Shah declared that the Arts Council would be compiling and publishing the entire literary works of Azm Behzad. Another speaker and editor of an Urdu monthly, Ahsan Saleem also announced to publish a special issue of Urdu magazine titled ‘Ijra’ that would cover most of the unpublished poetry of Azm Behzad.
Sahar Ansari, Khwaja Razi Haider, Akhtar Saeedi, Dr Shadab Ehsani, Rukhsana Saba, Aqeel Abbas Jaffery and Ajmal Siraj among other writers and critics shared their experiences regarding their interaction with late Azm Behzad.
Some of the writers, who had been the intimate friends of Azm Behzad, told the audience that he was a highly successful poet of “Mushairas”, but despite his popularity he remained modest and spent a pious life. He was the grandson of famous Urdu poet Behzad Lukhnavi.
The speakers highlighted that his first poetry collection titled ‘Ta’abeer se Pehle’ was published a few years ago for which he was highly acclaimed by the literary circles.
Referring to several couplets of “Ghazals” and poems by Azm Behzad, they said he gave mind-blowing poetry with a fresh diction and wonderful metaphors. Two sons and other family members of the late poet were present at the meeting that was attended by a large number of writers and journalists.
Source: The News
Date:3/19/2011
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