Bay Mausami Khwahishein, fourth collection of Nasira Zuberi’s poetry, launched

Nasira Zuberi is a remarkable poet who has a solid grip on our craft. She does not seem to be in a hurry to express herself and patiently waits for the moment of inspiration that would reveal to her the paths of poetic expression.

Basir Sultan Kazmi, a prominent Urdu poet based in United Kingdom who has been on a visit to Pakistan, made these remarks on Thursday at the launch ceremony of the fourth collection of Nasira’s poetry titled ‘Bay Mausami Khwahishein’ held at the Arts Council of Pakistan.

A large number of prominent poets and writers of Karachi graced the occasion that was presided over by veteran poet Zehra Nigah, who praised Nasira’s poetry for its cultured tone. She said Nasira’s diction was beautiful and she induced a glow in words that she employed.

The veteran poet stated that among all the genres of Urdu poetry, her most favourite was Ghazal as a Ghazal couplet would impart a thought or feeling in just a few words, and if that task was beautifully accomplished, that couplet remained in the reader or listener’s memory enriching it forever.

Zehra mentioned Nasira’s mastery of the Ghazal form and read out some couplets with the Radeef ‘Bhi Mustaqil Nahin Rehta’.

Two of the couplets that she recited were:

“Kaat Chhaat Hoti Hai Har Ghadi Sitaron Mein/ Kehkashan Ka Naqsha Bhi Mustaqil Nahin Rehta” “Doosron Se Ik Jaisi Guftugu Kahan Mumkin/ Khud Se Apna Lehja Bhi Mustaqil Nahin Rehta”

The event was moderated by Khalid Moin, who informed the audience that Nasira was born in Lahore and obtained a degree in economics, following which she started her impressive journalistic career, being in the founding teams of Geo, Aaj TV and TV One. Later, she opted to end her professional career for domestic reasons but did not stop writing poetry.

Dr Fatima Hassan informed the audience that Nasira’s first collection ‘Shugoon’ came out in 1996. It was followed by ‘Kaanch Ka Charagh’ in 2012 and ‘Teesra Qadam’ in 2017. ‘Bay Mausami Khwahishein’ was published in 2024.

Multiple speakers highlighted the theme of temporality and changes to the human civilisation and psyche with the passage of time in Nasira’s verses. Dr Fatima recited a couplet casting doubt on whether the modernity had actually advanced the mankind in spiritual sense — “Qadeem Ghar Ki Tasweer Mein Parinda Hai/Jadeed Art Mein Urta Hua Darinda Hai”. It meant what whereas the primitive man would draw birds in the cave symbolising idealism and peace, the modern man was showing flying beasts symbolising rise of beastly instincts.

Poet and translator Syed Kashif Raza highlighted the use of modern diction by Nasira in Ghazal. He explained the poet did not hesitate to use words like allergy, Facebook, etc. in her couplets, which on the one hand made her ghazal lose the traditional aspect of Taghazzul, but on the other hand helped expand the genre for her.

He highlighted how Nasira discussed environment and changing social dynamics in her Nazm. In her brief address, Nasira thanked the speakers and participants and recited some of her poetry. One of the couplets that she recited was “Rabiton Se Wabasta Har Khushi Ke Dushman Hain/Log Facebook Par Bhi Dosti Ke Dushman Hain”, which resonated a lot with the audience.

Poet Inaam Nadeem praised the sophisticated style of Nasira’s verses, stating that they were not loud and took time to penetrate into the readers’ mind but after that, their perception would last forever.

Dr Tanveer Anjum spoke on Nasira’s Nasri Nazm in the collection, stating that this was the first time she had included the genre of Nasri Nazm in her book. The speaker, however, pointed out the lack of personal expression in the Nasri Nazm and suggested that next time the poet should focus on using the pronoun ‘Mein’ instead of ‘Hum’. Nasira’s husband Shahab Zuberi also spoke at the ceremony.