“Literature should not only be a reflection of society but also a means of adapting people to new avenues of awakening. The writer should be pro public and should write on public suffering. Progressive poet. Not with extremism, but with tolerance, we can all live together in peace”: Mazhar Leghari
Karachi: The ninth session of the educational and literary online series initiated by Ramesh Raja and Manzoor Ujjan was held in honour of enlightened progressive poet and columnist Mazhar Leghari.
Famous intellectuals and writers Jami Chandio, Hussain Jarwar, Mahesh Kumar, Nadeem Ahmar from Canada, Dr. Khushal Kalani from USA, Taslim Mazhar from Netherlands, Kaka Singh from Germany, Danish Parmar from Hungary, Zeeshan Jatoi from Russia, Manzoor Sethar from Bahrain, Dodo Khathian from Dubai and other learned friends shed light on the art and thought of Mazhar Leghari. While young artist Saeed Abid Phul got the praise by singing the poetry of Mazhar Leghari.
According to the details, introducing the guest poet, Ramesh Raja said that Mazhar Leghari is a writer who believes in quality and not quantity, he reads more and writes less but the best. His poetry is a confluence of global and local trends. Favorite and preferred columnist and poet of all progressive and liberal people of Pakistan.
Expressing his views in this global virtual evening, the guest poet Mazhar Leghari said, “Literature should not only be a reflection of society but also a means of harmonizing the masses with new ways of awakening. The responsibility of the poet goes far beyond the order and art of rhyme and lineage but the writer should be pro public and should write on public issues and sufferings”.
Talking about the current situation and happenings in Sindh, he said that “the problem of Sindh is mostly of class. Yes, the feudal are responsible for all the destruction, they are looting more than ever by keeping their share and that of their masters, and their nominal public accountability is now becoming less and less”.
Explaining the solution to the dangers of extremism facing Sindh, he said that not with extremism, but with tolerance, we can all live together in peace. Such experiences have been done by the West in the recent past and are in peace. We have a history of centuries on this issue which must be understood and tolerance must be maintained. Insulting religions, ideologies, culture and human beings are an animal act, such acts in Sindh are external transplantation. Protecting and preserving the historical heritage, traditions and culture should be the foremost social duty of today’s writer.
Talking about his poetry, he said that my poetry is against the monarchy and capitalism and for the oppressed class especially the peasants, laborers and working men and women. In the environment of propagating the government ideologies by so called intellectuals, there is little hope that this poetry will reach to the masses directly but Ramesh Raja, Manzoor Ujjan and his colleagues who are making this effort are commendable.
Talking about the social role of the writer, he said that in this age of modern digital videography, there is no room for haste and temporary attitudes; U-turners and non-serious writers. I am ideologically steadfast and agree with and adhere to every word and letter of my old poetry. Asked about politics and poetry, he said that poetry has done its job, but if politics works in the right direction.
On this occasion, progressive intellectual Jami Chandio said that Mazhar’s poetry is a true story of the sufferings of people and also documents the struggle of the revolutionary people of Sindh. The corrupt state system, bad governance, human rights violations, water scarcity and natural disasters are the main themes of his writings and poetry.
Hussain Jarwar said that Mazhar Leghari challenged the dictatorial regime with his poems like “Don’t Stop the Winds”. The colors of happiness, sorrow, romance, migration, earth, beauty and nature are prominently scattered on the canvas of his poetry.
Concluding the program, Manzoor Ujjan said that Mazhar Leghari’s poetry reflects the pain of the people and the earth. His poetry is full of hatred and resistance to oppression.
While Abdul Razzaq Sarohi, Dr. Suresh Jesrani, Zulfiqar Bhan, Shakeel Ahmed Sheikh, Jamil Ahmed Sheikh, Obaidullah Solangi, Prof. Suresh Kumar Wadhwani, Haji Khan Bozdar, Murtaza Gohar, Sah Sheikh, Nazir Sarohi, Anis Noor Memon, Ishrat Hussain Memon, Haq Nawaz Shiraz Chandio, Chandio Anwar Aziz, Rajesh Jaipal, Ali Dost Ujan, Wajid Sindhi, Amjad Shar, Sahil Kumar Lodha, Muhammad Bakhsh Soomro, Elahi Mehr, Babu Hardas, Saeed Channa, Dr. Farrukh Bhambhro, Asif Ali Abro, Saeed Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed, Ghansham Das, Ayaz Sarang, Kesraj Bheel, Nooruddin Panhwar, Anis Bhangar, Allah Rakhiyo Kori, Dr. Shehzad Sheikh, Khalid Hussain Metlo, Neeraj Joshi, Darya Khan Sheikh, Sanwal Gaho , Zaheeruddin Babar, Faisal Nazar Maurai, Wafa Javed Makai, Moin Gulal, Ehsan Ali Sehto, Muhammad Talha Ansari, Jan Sher Soomro, Zulfiqar Jamshed and others participated online from different cities of Pakistan.
