 |
| |
WEEKLY
SECTIONS |
 |
|
 |
| Tributes paid to Kaleem |
|
|
|
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Schezee Zaidi
Islamabad
Eminent literati and journalists paid rich tributes to renowned journalist and poet Kaleem Omar (late) during a reference organised in his memory by the Pakistan Academy of Letters here.
They shared their views on his life replete with myriad anecdotes and his works sketching a new literary and journalistic era.
Prominent English poet and author of many books Ejaz Raheem was the chief guest on the occasion while eminent poet Dr. Alamgir Hashmi presided over the reference. PAL Director General Khalid Iqbal Yasir, Azhar Masood, Junaid Iqbal and Muneeba Talat were the speakers on the occasion.
Prof. Dr. Alamgir Hashmi said that as a writer and columnist, Kaleem Omar always promoted Pakistani culture, and as a prolific poet, he shored up the rich literary traditions to new heights. Having equal expertise in poetry and journalism, he also had deep interest in other forms of fine arts like music and painting along with poetry, he said. His contribution to literature and journalism will always be remembered.
Dr. Hashmi talked about Kaleem Omar’s enriching contribution to our cultural life in different forms of expression and social discourse as a poet. He said that Kaleem Omar would be remembered through his writings and poems that have a resonance in our landscape. As a journalist the prose style of his columns was remarkable, as its tone and its overall quality could contain both valuable information and pointed message. He said that Kaleem Omar was a poet and an artist, who found remarkable balance between the expression of private conscience and public voice. A well honed language was his bridge towards the meaning of individual and common life, and he gained his mark by crossing that bridge frequently with ease, Dr. Hashmi added.
Ejaz Raheem described Kaleem Omar as a wonderful poet and prose write, whose works reveal the conflicts of life and death and his columns have a rich flavour of wit and humour. He also read Kaleem Omar’s poems and prose writings.
Khalid Iqbal Yasir said that Kaleem Omar never cared for his promotion rather he promoted others and himself remained invisible.
Prof. Mubeena Talat, Head of English Dept. International Islamic University, said that Kaleem Omar was one of the founding father of Pakistani English poetry and his works should be researched and reviewed.
Azhar Masood and Junaid Iqbal also shared their views on life and works of Kaleem Omar. Khurram Khiraam Siddiqui gave a resume of Kaleem Omar’s life and recited his poetry.
|
|
|
| Back
| Send
this story to Friend | Print
Version |
|
|
|
ISSN 1563-9479 
