By Muhammad Mujahid Syed

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — “Iqbal’s poetry is spontaneous. His art is marvelous. Iqbal’s poetry collection “Bal-e-Jibreel” in Urdu language and “Zuboor-e-Ajam” and Payam-e-Mashriq” in Persian language revolutionized Urdu and Persian ghazal. Iqbal’s poetry excels his philosophy. As a poet he is the greatest in Urdu poetry. “Bang-e-Dara” the first collection of Iqbal’s poem indicated Iqbal’s future as a great poet. I feel honored and overwhelmed by the love and affection showered on me by the Pakistani and Indian Urdu lovers, said Dr. Khurshid Rizvi ahead of his book’s launch at Fine Grill Restaurant Aziziya recently.

“For years, I have come to Jeddah annually and during my stay, Aalami Urdu Markaz, Majlis-e-Iqbal Jeddah, Majlis-e-Ilm-o-Adab and other literary and social organizations and socialites have organized literary programs and Mushairas. I am indebted that my book of pen-portraits titled “Bazdid” is being released by Aalami Urdu Markaz, Jeddah,” added Dr. Khurshid Rizvi.

Athar Abbasi, president of the Aalami Urdu Markaz, was all praise for the support and cooperation of Dr. Khurshid Rizvi. “Dr. Khurshid Rizvi’s scholarly personality enriched the Jeddah’s literary scene every year but unfortunately this year due to some unavoidable circumstances, we weren’t able to take much benefit of Dr. Rizvi’s presence,” he said.

Hamid Islam Khan, master of ceremony, gave a brief introduction of Dr. Khurshid Rizvi’s literary achievements and personality. He especially lauded his services in the field of research of Arabic literature. “The government of Pakistan has conferred its highest civilian award Sitara-e-Imtiyaz on him for his valuable service for Urdu and Arabic literature. Dr. Khurshid’s poetry and oratory skills leaves the readers and audience spellbound,” he said.

Muhammad Bilal, principal of Pakistani International School, Jeddah, along with famous socialite Munir Gondal, launched Dr. Khurshid Rizvi’s book “Bazdid”.

Dr. Muhammad Saeed Fazl-e-Kareem Beebani, in his article, took different pen portraits of Dr. Khurshid Rizvi and through them he highlighted the features of Dr. Khurshid’s writing style.

Mujahid Syed shed light on the definition and history of the art of pen portraits in Urdu literature in the Indian subcontinent. In this perspective, he assessed the value of “Bazdid”. “In this book, we discover not only the mastery of Dr. Khurshid Rizvi over these pen portraits but also his thoroughly gentle and scholarly personality,” he added.

Jeddah-based poets Zamurrad Saifi, Irfan Barabankwi, Mahtab Qadr and Athar Abbasi paid heart-felt poetic tribute to Dr. Khurshid Rizvi. The program began with the recitation of a few verses of the Holy Qur’an by Qari Muhammad Asif. Khurshid Rizvi’s Naat was recited by Muhammad Nawaz Janjua. Ahmad Zubair presented Allama Iqbal’s poem “Khudi Ka Sirre Nihan, La Ilaha Illah in his melodious voice.

The audience requested Dr.Khurshid Rizvi to recite his famous ghazal, two couplets of which are given below:

Ye jo nang the, ye jo naam the, mujhe kha gaye

Ye khayal-e- pokhta, jo kham the mujhe kha gaye

Kabhi apni aankh se zindagi pa nazar na ki

Wohi zaviye ke jo aam the mujhe kha gaye

The vote of thanks was proposed by Amir Khurshid, chairman of Majlis-e-Iqbal.