With his unique diction, style and thought, Munir Niazi was a great trend-setter and made an evergreen contribution to literature of the post-Independence period. The third death anniversary of the eminent poet was observed on Saturday. The literary figures across the country paid tribute to the poet for his unique poetic creations.
Eminent writer Dr Salahuddin Darvesh told APP that Munir Niazi was one of the most imaginative poets of the century whose striking poetry knocks at the doors of hearts and takes the readers to some other world. Munir Niazi was called the ambassador of love and hope and love is the most enduring quality. Munir's poetry reflects the most sublime side of life, he commented.
Niazi raised a powerful voice against the unjust system wherein the poor people fail to accrue benefits of progress. He said the poet was actually aware of his own shortcomings and knew he was misfit in the society he lived in and unable to keep pace with the fast moving social structure.
His poetry influenced an entire generation of young writers and poets and they should be grateful to him for having set such an exceptional and powerful style in poetry. His works include "Dushmanoon Key Darmiyan", "Mah-e-Munir", "Aghaz-e-Zamastan Main Dobara" and "Aik Musalsal"
Equally proficient in Urdu and Punjabi, Munir Niazi's poetry carried great depth and he advanced the tradition of realism with great sensibility and force of imagination. He also contributed songs to Pakistani films like "Us baiwafa ka shehr hay" sung by the late Nasim Begum for the film "Shaheed" which still stirs up the old memories. Munir deeply influenced his contemporaries and later generations of poets and is respected by the reading public.
His works have been translated into many other languages. For his literary achievements Munir Niazi was awarded 'Kamal-e-Funn Award for the year 2002 by Pakistan Academy of Letters and the 'President's Award for Pride of Performance" in 1992 and 'Sitara-i-Imtiaz' in 1998.