RIYADH — A reception was hosted by “Halqa Fikr-O-Fun (a literary forum)” to honor Saeed Agha, a visiting poet from Pakistan, here on weekend. The event comprised a "Mushaira (poetry symposium),"which was largely attended by prominent Pakistani members. Agha, who is famous for his satire and droll poetry, mesmerized the audience with his poems while conveying serious messages, such as Woh Mila Sehra Mein Mujhko Doosree Laila Ke Saath Mein Ne Poocha Who Jisne Majnoon Kia Uska Kia Hua Ro Dia Aur Kahne Laga Who Shoar Ko Piyaree Ho Gayee The program was well conducted by Javed Akhtar Javed, an Urdu and Punjabi poet here. He said that Agha possess a gifted talent of portraying the ills of the society in a beautiful way. "This is a special art that is bestowed to the gifted souls only. His poetry presents issues in a new, unique and simple fashion which effectively appeals a common man," he said. Abdur Razzak Tabassum, another poet, wowed the audience with his impressive Urdu and Punjabi verses. Muntazar Aankh Meree Pal Pal Hae Justoojoo Bhee Teree Musalsal Haey Waqt Ne Laake Kahan Chora Haey Door Manzil Ddoor Saahil Hay Waqar Wamiq, a young talented poet, recited the following couplets Misra Hae Agar Shokh Tou Rangeen Ghazal Hae Nairangiye Wamiq Se Tazeen Ghazal Hae Har Waqt Parosan Ke Tasawwar Mein Hae Shaer Agar Noor Hae Shaer Tou Naureen Ghazal Hae Mohammad Yunus a.k.a. Abu Ghalib spoke about how Urdu poetry has traversed through the years. He said Urdu poetry has come of age and has passed the age of cock-and-bull stories and romanticism. Arshad Shaikh, after delivering his poems, said that droll poetry gives new and fresh meanings to life. "Droll poetry existed during pre-independence days of Ghalib, Rashid Ahmed Siddiqui, Pitras Bukhari et al among others. Post-independent poets were Col. Mohammad Khan, Zamir Jafri, Mushtaq Ahmed Yusufi, Dilawar Figaar et al. Amongst the contemporary ones we see Anwar Masood and of course Saeed Agha." Others who shared their thoughts about literary activities here were Hafiz Abdul Waheed, Saeed Jatt, Choudhry Majeed, Choudhry Mohammad Hussain, Prof. Mahmood Bajwa, Waseem Sajid, Sarwar Khan, Mobeen Choudhry, Ghulam Haider Ali Khan, Rashid Mahmood Butt among others. Passport Counselor at the Embassy of Pakistan Zahid Raza Khan, who was the chief guest at the event, delivered a very thoughtful speech, and thanked Javed for hosting such a nice literary evening. "Such literary sessions play effective role in generating interests in literature and fine art and is the need of the hour," he said. Describing the poetry of Agha, Khan said that the crux of his poetry can be summed up in just one line. "He artfully sensitizes the readers by laughing at himself and then cries and weeps for others, meaning he brings to light the sufferings of others."
