Lasting Impression

Staff Report, "Punjabi mushaira: a success at PU Oriental College" - Daily Times - Lahore, Pakistan
Friday, October 31, 2008

PU (VC) says Punjabi culture, language, readership needs attention

Lahore: Famous poets from Pakistan, India and Italy participated in a Punjabi ‘mushaira’ organised by the Punjab University (PU) Oriental College’s Punjabi Department on Thursday at the college.

The poets included Saleem Kashir, Talib Jatoi, Dr Younis, Dr Inamul Haq Javed, Sofia Badar, Afzal Sahir and Tajender Ada alongside Kalyan Singh Kalyan from India. They were all greatly applauded for their poetry.

PU Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran was the chief guest on the occasion. He thanked the participating poets, and assured full support for the studio and repair of the Punjabi department’s building. Earlier, he had inaugurated the Audio-Video Studio and the exhibition of paintings made by the students of the department.

The department’s teacher Naheed Shahid recorded a video interview in the studio to emphasise the importance of true Punjabi culture. The exhibition showcased paintings of Baba Bullay Shah, Shah Hussain Lahori, Waris Shah and other Sufi saints, alongside pictures depicting Punjabi culture.

PU vice-chancellor: The VC said that the Punjabi language was most suitable for Sofiana Kalam (Sufi prose) because of its lasting impression, and its readers must increase.

“The Punjabi department is vital because of its role in promoting the Punjabi language and culture,” he added. He said: “The chancellor wants the PU to play a central role in the promotion of Punjabi culture. Our teachers and students possess great potential and it must be utilised.”

The Oriental Learning dean, Oriental College Principal Prof Dr Mazhar Moin, Punjabi Department Chairman Prof Dr Asmatullah Zahid, alongside other teachers and students, were also present on the occasion.

[Visit the University of the Punjab http://www.pu.edu.pk/press/press_release-30-oct-08.asp].