In memoriam: Riaz Saghar, poet and educationist

HARIPUR: The late Riaz Saghar, a pioneer of nazm (a genre of metrical expression) in the province during the sixties, was remembered for his contributions at a literary reference organised by the Haripur chapter of Anjuman Taraqipasand Musanifeen on Sunday.

Speakers paid tribute to Saghar’s command over the subject, unique diction, and ideological clarity that he passed on to five generations.

Riaz Saghar, who passed away at the age of 80 on June 16 due to cardiac arrest, was a poet and educationist with two poetry books, “Panchwan Mosam” (Fifth Weather) and “Satween Simt” (Seventh Direction), as well as numerous Urdu ghazals, nazms, and Hindko verses to his credit.

He also served the education department for over three decades.During the literary reference, speakers highlighted Saghar’s pioneering role in introducing nazm in the province during the early sixties, a time when few poets in the country were exploring this form.

They said that his poetry embodied both romanticism and progressiveness, showcasing his love for Ahl e Bait, nature, and flowers. Saghar’s work stood alone, without the influence of his contemporaries.

Saghar’s poetry also resonated with sentiments of resistance and rebellion against centuries-old traditions, customs, tyranny, hypocrisy, and social injustices.His unique poetic diction and approach brought prominence to his work nationwide, earning recognition even among contemporaries from major urban centers.

The speakers also shed light on Saghar’s role as an educationist, emphasising on the professional approach and skills he passed on to five generations as a mentor. Selected verses from Saghar’s ghazals and nazms were presented during the event.Prominent figures such as Dr Zia ur Rasheed, Prof Waheed Qureshi, Tahir Gul, Rizwan Razi, and Naeem Muradabadi addressed the ceremony.