Karachi: Arts Council Karachi and Pakistan Japan Cultural Association Sindh organised 36th Annual Urdu Haiku Poetry Programme. Professor Dr. Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui, Consul General of Japan in Karachi Hattori Masaru were present. Wazahat Naseem and Khurram Sahil were moderator of event.

Hattori Masaru appreciated poetic taste of Pakistanis, especially their love for haiku genre of poetry. He emphasised that there is strong cultural relationship between Pakistan and Japan, in which haiku plays significant role. Professor Dr. Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui shed light on formation of social thought and consciousness, particularly highlighting role of humor, especially poetry and applauded efforts of PJCA Sindh. Meanwhile, in poetry programme, indigenous haiku were also presented.

PJCA Sindh’s President Saadia Rashid remarked that Consul General of Japan is actively working to promote academic, literary and cultural relations between Pakistan and Japan. She praised efforts of Ahmed Shah for his contributions to literature and culture.

Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi organised event under ‘Aurat sinf-e-Nazak nahi Sinf-e-Ahan hy,’. Shahida Khursheed Kanwal as chief guest while Professor Sajida Parveen, Shehzin Faraz, Anila Razaq, Aenah Mir, Jahan Qamar, Faiza Naeem Sana and other women expressed their views on topics through poetry, fiction, prose and song on an open mic.

Organisation of event was managed by Sidra Kareem. Shahida Khursheed Kanwal recited poems on ‘bhooli Maa,’ ‘Aurat Zinda hy,’ ‘Aurat Ghulam nahi’ ‘hawa ki beti,’ and ‘Aurat Tujhe salam’. Professor Sajida Parveen remarked that if men in our society see women with respect, they might not raise slogan ‘My Body, My Choice.’ She expressed hope that with such enthusiasm, no one will look at women with evil intentions as women today are very strong. She emphasised that women and men have equal rights.

Zahid Hussain said that he prayed to Allah for woman who could stand up for her rights even against him. Singer Huma Kanwal added sweetness to event with her melodious voice, while ceremony ended with cutting cake in celebration of Women’s Day.

Meanwhile, in commemoration of International Women’s Day, Arts Council is organising ‘Fifth Women’s Conference’ on March 7, 2024. Inaugural ceremony will feature opening remarks by President Arts Council Karachi Ahmed Shah. Muneeza Shamsie will deliver keynote address, and Zehra Nigah will recite poetry. Moreover, Zubeida Mustafa will be honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award for her services. Conference will kick off with musical performance titled ‘Roop,’ featuring performances by students of Arts Council Academy including Emad Rahman, Abdul Ghani and Faizan Bhatti. Various sessions will be held during Women’s Conference.   In poetic programme, approximately 27 poets presented their original Urdu haiku compositions while Wazahat Naseem and Shezad Niaz presented Urdu translations of selected haiku by Japanese poets ‘“Momoko Kuroda’ and ‘Tota Kaneko,’ respectively.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 07 2024

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