AHORE: Literary figures and friends of famous poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz shared their memories of the poet on Wednesday at an evening, ‘Aao milkar Faiz ki baten karen’ (let us talk about Faiz), at Faiz Ghar in Model Town.

The evening was organised by Adab Sarae Literary Forum in connection with a week-long centenary celebration of Faiz’s birth.

The fans enjoyed the memories shared by various celebrated writers such as Mashkoor Husain Yad, Kazi Javed, Dr Muhammad Rafiq and Ibrahim Tahir. All of them had one thing common to say that whoever met Faiz would always become a great fan of him because of his loving and down-to-earth nature.

Mr Yad said he had first met Faiz when his poetry collection ‘Naqsh-i-Faryadi’ was published. He said one poetry recital would always remain in his active memory where Faiz for the first time read out his poems. The recital event was presided over by Patras Bokhari and held at the Government College, Lahore. He also paid rich tributes to Faiz by reading out a literary piece on his poetry.

Kazi Javed spoke on Faiz’s poetry and life, and his views on Allama Iqbal and Ghalib. Javed met Faiz in the 80s in Lahore at Model Town. At the meeting, Abdullah Malik, Safdar Mir, Hafeez Akhtar and Amir Mughal were also present.

He recalled that at a literary sitting in London, where someone praised Faiz. The greatest poet of the 19th century is Ghalib and of 20th century Allama Iqbal, came an apt reply from Faiz.

He said though he had been to many places, Faiz would love to return to Lahore. During his self-exile in the early 80s, Faiz would miss Hameed Akhtar, Abdullah Malik and Nawabzada Mazhar Ali Khan. Dr Rafiq said he felt pride for being encouraged by Faiz to write poetry.

Writer Ibrahim Tahir said Faiz was a caring person who would visit his friends in the hour of need. He said when famous poet Ahmed Riaz developed TB, Faiz used to visit him at the hospital.
Source: Dawn
Date:2/10/2011