Abaseen Yousafzai’s poetry book launched

PESHAWAR: A literary organization, Pohantoon Adabi Stori (PAS), organised a book launching ceremony at the Pashto Academy on Thursday.

Senior poet, Muntazir Shinwari was the chief guest at the launch of Maraam, the third poetry collection of noted poet, Professor Abaseen Yousafzai.Writers, young poets, intellectuals, teachers, students and others attended the ceremony.

Speaking at the event, Muntazir Shinwari said that Pashto poetry, fiction and prose had undergone a tremendous change during the last three decades owing to the conflict in the entire region, especially in the Pashtun belt. Pashto literati, he pointed out, were conscious to give due place to the rapidly emerging geo-political scenario around them.

He said a poet like Abaseen Yousafzai could not ignore what has happened and is happening to the Pashtuns.“Poetry like this could be described as the spirit of the time and voice of the people.  The sufferings of the community find a better expression and a befitting voice in the verses of the poet who shares the pains and pathos of his people,” he opined.

Fazal Azeem, who presided over the function, said Abaseen Yousafzai served as guide for a generation of budding Pashto poets. He said Pashto poets and writers would continue fulfilling their responsibility towards creation of a tolerant and peaceful society.

Young poet from Shangla, Afsarul Mulk Afghan, said Abaseen Yousafzai used simple diction and imagery to convey his message of peace, tolerance and Pashtunwali in his poetry. He said one could gauge the high standard and quality of his poetry by the fact that he kept a space of ten years between publications of his collections.

“His maiden poetry collection ‘Ghurzangoona’ (waves) was published in 1994 and second volume titled ‘Alwat’ (flight) came out in 2005 and has run into fifth edition.  Despite slump in the market for Pashto books and thin readership, Abaseen Yousafzai’s first collection ran into more than 10 editions,” he claimed.

Dr Sher Zaman Seemab said Abaseen Yousafzai was a poet of substance and clear vision.  His second volume, he said, carried ghazals, poetic tribute to popular Pashto folk singers Gulnar Begum and Khial Mohammad in addition to poems about activities of the militants in Swat and Malakand.

“His poetry is unique from his contemporary poets in many respects. Its scope is wide and vast encompassing every single incident in the region,” he remarked.Fitrat Buneri, a member of Pohantoon Adabi Stori, said “The poetry in the book Maraam is impressive with a tinge of romantic overflow of emotions.  It also contains a deep sense of nostalgia and grief over the erosion of golden Pashtun traditions,” he said.