The new diction in narrative in a new book containing collection of Punjabi short stories received enormous praise from a number of critics at the launch of Mehar Ali's book 'Dhah Lagi Dosti'. Eminent short story writer Mansha Yad was prominent among those present at the literary function held on Wednesday at Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL).
He praised writer Mehar Ali for investing a new twirl and sensibility to Punjabi narrative writing, especially for the way in which he described the folks of the Harappan period. This was entirely new to Punjabi literature.
'We can smell new fragrance and taste in the life of ordinary folks who spent their lives in a period of hardships of a nascent civilisation, trying to make progress out of tribal fixation and achieve modernisation in that era,' said Mansha Yad, himself a writer of some of the best stories in Urdu literature, and a celebrated writer of Punjabi fiction.
Head of PAL, poet Iftikhar Arif, speaking on the occasion, prophesied that Mehar Ali's stories would profoundly affect Punjabi literature. Many others present at the function said there was a lyrical beauty in the way Mehar Ali describes locale and surroundings of that period with anthropological accuracy.
Another short story writer Hamed Shahed found great depth in writing the narrative style. Punjabi poet Akhtar Shaikh complimented the writer for a bold and provocative addition and for making a big effort in Punjabi literature.