Tribute to a living legend

Islamabad

Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has said that quest for the realities of life and an unending search for human issues make Nisar Aziz Butt an acclaimed writer and novelist of Urdu.

Sartaj Aziz, who is also younger brother of the writer, was speaking at a special seminar titled ‘A Tribute to a Living Legend’ organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute.

He said that peculiar characteristics of diligence and solitary pursuit of knowledge propelled Ms Nisar to excel in Urdu literature and wrote many novels and books despite the fact that her mother tongue is Pushto. He said English and French writings are also worth discussing.

Earlier, Kishwar Naheed said that Nisar Aziz was a source of inspiration and I use to read her novels since my intermediate. "She is living in the depth of my heart since the last 50 years and I remember her as a young girl."

Progressive writer and senior adviser at SDPI Ahmed Salim said Nisar Aziz’s autobiography is a crux of many stories. He said that Rome, London, Makkah, Madina and other parts of the world are the spheres of her studies. Starting from 1947, she elaborated every event of the country in her writing. He said she started her book from the quotations of Mian Mautadillah, her paternal grandfather.

Renowned journalist Khalid Ahmed said that Nisar wrote about love and wisdom. Her English writings followed the lines of Aristotle. She has talked about Marxism which was identified so early when these concepts were originated. Modernization was another thought she talked about, he added.

Nisar Butt, in her concluding remarks, said that her story is totally different from the current legend writer. “I remained hidden and unknown throughout my life as I was afraid of fame and felt comfortable as unknown figure,” she observed. She said that she started writing at an early age but her educational life was full of hurdles. I used to wear Burqa (veil) and sit in the front row in my class.

Former ambassador Shafqat Kakakhel said that Ms Nisar is a legend of 20th Century who experienced and witnessed the times of 2nd World War, colonialism, and developments in science and technology. He said her canvas was broadened after the Independence and she wrote four novels in Urdu. He said her autobiography, ‘Gai Dinon ka Suragh’  was her most beautiful piece of writing.  Her writing is a path to follow for the youth of this country.

SDPI Executive Director Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri said that sustainable development is related to sustainable society. He said Legends Series was started to invite role models to hear them and to disseminate their experience to the youth, who have restricted themselves to tabs and mobiles. “Nisar Aziz belongs to an era of Hajira Masroor and other legendary writers and is amongst us and we are looking forward to hear her experience. Dr Abid Suleri presented life-time achievement award to her in the end.