Anthology of poet-journalist’s works launched

Karachi

An anthology of the verse and memoirs of poet-journalist Allauddin H Khanzada was launched at the Karachi Press Club Sunday evening.

In his tribute to the author-poet, Zaib Azkaar Hussain, chairman of the press club’s Literary Committee, said that Khanzada’s poetry was multidimensional. He praised the book as a masterpiece of literature.

Majeed Rehmani hailed the work as religiously oriented and reflective of a deep spiritual commitment. “His personality is reflected in his verse and does not contain even an iota of egotism,” he said. Poet, scholar and eminent television personality, Aneeq Ahmed, lauded Khanzada as a committed journalist and said that never had a news item by him been contradicted. He said that nowadays when journalism is on sale and journalists reportedly compromise on the authenticity of their pieces in return for monetary gains, no such charge could be leveled against Khanzada.

Young Urdu scholar Ambreen Haseeb Amber recounted the connection between journalism and poetry. “Khanzada is a journalist of an era of cruelty,” she said, “Today’s globalised world is not only vending merchandise, but also ideas and principles. Khanzada’s poetry was a rebellion against this global racketeering and his poetry is highly sophisticated and refined.”

Ajmal Siraj lauded Khanzada’s contribution to Hamd and Naat in his poetry. 

Karachi Press Club (KPC) President Faazil Jamili, in his humour-packed speech full of witticisms, said that poetic talent could never be hidden and it was the same with Khanzada.

Others who were scheduled to speak were Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui, former vice-chancellor of Karachi University, Sehar Ansari, and Sindh Information Adviser Maula Bakhsh Chandio.