Saadet Hassan Manto (1912-1955) is a name synonymous to the humanistic mannerism and enlivened conscience of his era. He was gifted with a pen which never compromised with the brutal and ruthless forces of vested interests rather always unleashed its assault on the evil of religious bigotry, socio cultural and political hypocrisy, nepotism, sectarianism and injustices on the downtrodden segments of society.
The Pakistan Academy of Letters has done good work to organise a national seminar to celebrate Manto's birth anniversary on May 12 at its auditorium. Professor Ahmad Javed, a noted fiction writer presided over the literary event. He evaluated the literary contribution of Manto and opined that his vision is still relevant to the present day miserable ambience marred with intolerance, militancy and extremism in the name of religion.
Manto was a staunch champion of women empowerment and feminine dignity and respect in society. It seems that the burning issues he discussed in his stories are still confronting society. Most of his stories that dealt with the religious obscurantism carry relevance to the ongoing incidents of horror, terror and extremism engulfing the valley of Sawat and areas in its vicinity.
Professor Kh. Masud, a seasoned academic, philosopher and intellectual paid rich tributes to Manto and said that the great story writer of Pakistan stands as a most distinctive illuminating figure in the galaxy of eminent writers of the world. He appreciated the courage, fortitude and vision with which Manto knitted his masterpieces of literary work during very odd times in the sub continent.
Manto always stood with the weaker part of society, especially womenfolk. He was a great advocate of humanitarian causes and always kept the vicious forces under fire of his criticism. He was appreciative of the fearless way Manto exposed all the evil forces stood against peace, progress and prosperity.
He hoped that the traditions of heralding the truth, justice and humanism practised by Manto would have an uninterrupted continuity by the incumbent generation of writers, intellectuals and scholars. Professor Sajjad Shaikh, a senior teacher, intellectual and painter too, criticised those who all stood in the opposite side of Manto's way.
They could not reach the zenith of his socio-cultural vision and thus alleged him of 'obscenity'. It may be recalled that Manto was sued by those obscurants on the false charges of obscenity and pornographic style of writing. He was acquitted with full dignity and honour.
Once Manto commented on such behaviour in his own words 'if you find my stories dirty, the society you are living in is dirty. With my stories I only expose the truth'. Dr Dervesh another intellectual evaluated the literary work by Manto as a true exponent of the hard facts of life.
The characters he conscientiously skilfully woven into his fiction form are seemed as the instruments of change. These characters are still living both in Manto's stories and around us. Manzar Naqvi termed Manto as a writer-cum-surgeon, who keeping pen in one hand and lancet in the other, cures the physical cancer of society.
Pakistan Academy of Letters deserves appreciation for its endeavours destined for the promotion, projection and perpetuation of the literary heritage of the country under the dynamic chairmanship of Fakhar Zaman, a prolific trilingual writer in Urdu, Punjabi and English and an intellectual par excellence.
It would be however appreciative that his colleagues should also put their efforts to attract maximum number of literary enthusiasts, especially students, teachers and readers of literature to such occasions for literary stalwarts as Saadet Hassan Manto.
PULSATING FIGURINES WITH RHYTHM OF LOVE: The Northern parts of our country is fertile in producing creative figures. Sculptors Tariq Luni and Imranaullah Hunzai, both graduates from the National College of Arts, Lahore stand distinctive amongst the new generation of artists. Dr Faisal Arjumand has brought them to his well conceived Gallery 6. A beautiful exhibition of sculptures titled 'Pulsating Figurines' rightly speaks the conceptual statement of the exhibits.
Tariq Luni studied fine arts, photography and computer graphics, but in the end he discovered himself a vibrant sculptor. He opted for the medium of wood as the carrier of his inner feelings and aspirations. Wood represents the nature. Its grains, threads, textures and color variations always stimulate artists. So is the case with Tariq Luni. He creates wooden figurine to further his thoughts. Through the ongoing exhibition, he tried to highlight his perception of the rhythm of love, an integral part of peaceful living.
The exhibitions offers 17 sculptures created out of deodar wood, having the range of 1.5 to 6 feet which speaks volumes of the conceptual relationship between human beings and the nature. The smoothness of the surface, curves, all represent a variety of thoughts, including the rhythm of love, harmony, and love for nature.
Imranullah Hunzai also opted for deodar wood as a medium of expression. He however created his works mostly in relief form. The process of carving out of a single piece of wood is quite intricate and demands command over artist's physical movement and tools. A state of the art error-free process is a pre requisite for this genre of art. Hunzai sculptures could be termed as exponents of the creative pursuits of the sculptor.
Dr Faisal Arjmund, curator of the exhibition was proud of the event as the capital has had such an art show with the genre of sculpture after a long time. He hoped it would offer a unique opportunity for art enthusiasts, teachers and students to enjoy the most latest sensibilities through wooden figurines. The exhibition would continue till May 25.
Robindro joyonti night: homage to great nobel laureate: The High Commission of Bangladesh, in collaboration with expatriate Bangladeshis, celebrated the 149th birth anniversary of the first ever Asian Nobel Laureate Ranbindra Nath Tagore on May 8. The event had narrations of the great Rabindra's achievements, recitation of his poetic masterpieces and singing of his melodious lyrics. It was indeed a wonderful occasion in recognition of the outstanding contribution of the literary hero of the Bangla literary heritage.
The event was titled Robindro Joyonti Night. Mm Yasmin Murshed, High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Islamabad was the chief guest to enhance the significance of the commemorative event. Saifur Rehman, deputy high commission of Bangladesh and expatriate Bangladeshi Musharaff Khan paid rich tributes to the great man of letters, music, paintings and allied arts.
He in fact revolutionised the static surface of Bangla arts and literature of 19th and 20th centuries. It may be noted that there are over a thousand poems, eight volumes of short stories, over 25 plays, eight novels and several books of essays to Tagore's credit. He was considered a great musician, composer and painter as well.
A group of Bangla enthusiasts enthralled the audience by rendition of some romantic songs of Tagore. The songs titled 'Aamra shobaee raja' (we are all kings) and 'Duee begha jomi' (two acres of land) moved the audience to a state of ecstasy and sublimation.
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