Oldest Urdu Literary Magazine ‘Adab-e-Latif’ turns 80

KARACHI: Siddiqa Begum has achieved her target to publish 80th years’ number of Literary Magazine ‘Adab-e-Latif’ as being the AL Chief Editor.

The writers who have read that issue term the latest achievement as marvelous in terms of publication of writers, matters and presentations. The team that assisted her included AL Editor Mazhar Saleem Majoka, Shahid Bukhari and others and no doubt, the team has proved its mettle in terms of coverage of present time’s literature.

The team has rightly examined, edited and published latest works of the contemporary writers and the prevalent trends.

The issue has also presented worthy articles on the life and performance of greats and all those enriched Urdu literature in one or another way.

The huge issue (80th year number) has covered almost all the formats and forms of literature and works of the contemporary writers including short stories, novels, poetry and prose on different topics, travelogues and research-based articles.

All these works are of great worth in a manner that they raise interesting and mind-blowing questions. These works enlighten readers in developing an understanding on forms and formats dealing with the matters of literature in present times.

The AL Chief Editor Siddiqa Begum says that she was committed not to delay the publication of monthly AL besides the issuance of ‘numbers’ on eminent literary personalities and relevant literary events. 

It is worth mentioning that Siddiqa Begum has already published a sizeable number of 'numbers' of the AL on different occasions. She had done a smart job while publishing two huge issues on the occasion of completion of 75 years of the magazine (AL) aimed at paying homage to her father, Barkat Ali Chaudhry, the founder of AL.

The magazine was launched in 1935 by Barkat Ali Chaudhry from Lahore that got ground among the literary circles and readers across the sub-continent. Chaudhry was a liberal and enlightened intellectual and founder of Adab-e-Lateef.

When he had launched his magazine, there were discussions about the approach of his writings and groupings about literature. Many prominent writers were joining the Progressive Writers’ Movement.

The magazine used to encourage progressive writers by publishing their works. The movement later on became a true platform for progressive writers who were writing against social and economic exploitation and imperialist tactics at that time.

Since the magazine always preferred to publish works of quality, it emerged as a powerful literary periodical and a time came, when people used to describe it a great tradition of literature.