Remembering Zakir
SD Sharma
“Mein jis khyal se sanvra hoon kaun sanvrega,
mein jis khuloos se nikhra hun kaun nikhrega,
Kisi ko hai bhi saleeka chaman mein jeene ka,
mein jis sukoon se bikhra hun kaun bikhrega.”
– KL Zakir
The couplet by Zakir reflects versatility and literary acumen of legendary author, Urdu poet, novelist, biographer, Padmashri awardee Kashmiri Lal Zakir whose 100th birth anniversary will be commemorated by Punjab University Alumni Association at Golden Jubilee Hall on April 18.
Born on April 7, 1919 at Begabanian in Gujarat, prodigious Kashmiri Lal was educated at Prince Wales College, Jammu. After his post-graduation in education he completed MA in English Literature from Panjab University. But the poet and writer in him remained active and in limelight even during his teens.
Dr Kamlesh Mohan, eminent author and illustrious daughter of Zakir sahib, said that the one-day seminar will be inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor, PU, Prof Raj Kumar.
Prof Abul Kalaam Qasmi will grace the function as chief guest while Anil Kumar IAS will be guest of honour.
After an introduction by Dr Kamlesh Mohan, the acclaimed literary stalwarts like Prof Shamsur Rahman Faruqi, Prof Ali Zaved will give deliberations as Prof Zaman Azurdah will be in a conversation with Nirupama Dutt. Others who will speak on the occasion are Dr Chander Trikha, Dr Raza Haider and Prof Deepti Gupta.
The highlight of the function will be presentation of KL Zakir’s couplets by Bollywood playback and ghazal singer Vinod Sehgal.
