The 128th birthday of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Father of our Nation, was celebrated in Lahore on December 25 with much enthusiasm. Several literary, social and political organisations sponsored a number of programmes at which glowing tributes were paid to the sagacious leadership of a politician who, almost single-handedly, led the freedom struggle of the Muslims of the sub-continent from colonial rule to a successful culmination.
For lack of space it is not possible to comment on and difficult out a group or association for their part in sponsoring functions where befitting tributes were paid to our Great Leader. However, the thrust of the meetings was on the quality of leadership of the Quaid and the constitutional ways he adopted in achieving his goal - the creation of a separate, sovereign and independent Pakistan in which the Muslims could live in consonance with their religious, economic, political and cultural aspirations.
In British administered India the Muslims faced much discriminations, especially in the fields of education and employment both in government and private institutions. Realising that in a united India their plight would not be better their intrepid leader with the support of the people launched a struggle for the creation of an independent country for the teeming Muslim masses. The success of his mission within a short span of seven years after the adoption of the historic Lahore Resolution on March 23, 1940 surprised political pundits and analysts the world over.
On December 22 the Lahore chapter of Pakistan Academy of Letters sponsored a commemorative programme to pay homage to five poets. The speakers threw lights on the creative genius of Hafiz Jallandhary, who wrote the national anthem of Pakistan; the radicalism of Josh Malihabadi; the nationalism of Shaikh Ayaz, who has left a vast treasure of Sindhi poetry; the romanticism of Parveen Shakir and the progressive views of Mir Gul Khan Naseer the Balaochi poet/politician. Despite the remoteness of PAL office, a large number of lovers of poetry and political activists attended the event, which was chaired by Professor Ahmed Aqeel Ruby, himself, a poet of considerable repute.
Sumandar Khan Mansuri, who spoke on the life and works of poet/ politician, Mir Gul Khan Naseer was a socialist, who throughout his life fought against social injustice and economic exploitation of the poor before and after the creation of Pakistan. Unlike his contemporaries, Mir Naseer's poetical talent was not wasted in writing about love and romance but he utilised his talent for creating awareness among the oppressed people of their basic human rights.
The literary reference organised by PAL for poet Hafiz Jallandhary was chaired by Aslam Kamal, a noted painter of Pakistan. Prominent speakers and scholars, who participated in the programme urged the Nazim of Lahore to name a city road after the renowned poet, whose Shahnama is regarded as one of the best works of poetry created during the 20th century.
On December 23 the fourth death anniversary of Melody Queen Nur Jehan was observed in Lahore albeit quietly. Not a single literary or cultural association worth its name had thought of holding a reference to pay tributes to the late legendary singer, whose contributions to the evolution and refinement of melodic culture of Pakistan remains matchless.
The singer who warmed the hearts of millions in the sub-continent and whose mellifluous songs provided solace to many an emotionally disturbed mind died on December 23, 2000 in Karachi after protracted illness. However, hundreds of her songs continue to keep her memory fresh in the minds of a vast multitude of music lovers not only in Pakistan but also in India and other countries where large concentrations of Pakistani and Indian expatriates exist.
The Hamail Art Gallery recently established in the Defence Housing Society, away from the hub of the city has taken the initiative of holding exhibitions of paintings of South Asian artists. On December 22, it offered its premises and facilities for the exhibition of group show of nine Bangladeshi artists.
Inaugurated by the Punjab Minister for Literacy the Exhibitions, which is to continue till December 31, consisted of the masterpieces of painters Abul Wahab, Abdu Shakoor, Eva Hosain, Jehangir Hosain, S. A Kazi, Farida Zaman, Fakhrul Islam, Nurul Amin and Ranjeet Das. Paintings put for public viewing dealt with a variety of expressions providing the viewers an insight into contemporary art scene in Bangladesh.