Karachi: The Pakistan Japan Cultural Association (PJCA) Sindh, in collaboration with the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi and under the patronage of the Consulate General of Japan in Karachi, successfully organized the 37th Annual Urdu Haiku Mushaira. This prestigious event took place at the Haseena Moin Hall of the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi.
Mr. Muhammad Ahmed Shah, President of the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, shared his thoughts on this occasion. He expressed his gratitude to PJCA Sindh for inviting him to preside over the event, considering the long-standing relations and cooperation between the two organizations. However, out of respect for the traditional etiquette of mushaira, he delegated his presidency to the senior poet Mr. Jamal Naqvi stating that, by custom, only a poet should preside over such a gathering. The Honorable Consul General of Japan graced the occasion as the chief guest. The event commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran by Mr. Saleem Ahmed.
The President of PJCA, Ms. Sadia Rashid, warmly welcomed the attendees and highlighted the significance of the annual Urdu Haiku Mushaira. She emphasized that this event plays a vital role in strengthening cultural ties between Pakistan and Japan.
Speaking at the event, Consul General Mr. Masaru Hattori expressed his pleasure in participating in the mushaira once again. He admired the beautiful fusion of Japanese and Pakistani literary traditions and acknowledged the Japanese Consulate’s contributions toward promoting Haiku poetry in Pakistan since the 1980s. He particularly appreciated the selfless and continuous efforts of Mr. Azmat Ataka and other PJCA members in this regard. He also extended his gratitude to the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi for its support in hosting various Japanese cultural programs, including the Japan Festival and the Japanese Film Festival.
One of the important features of the PJCA’s 37th annual mushaira was the presentation of poetic Urdu translations of selected Haiku by renowned Japanese poet Nakamura Teijo. The translations were done by Mr. Shahzad Niaz who presented the brief introduction of Nakamura Teijo along with the poetic Urdu translations of her haiku. This segment was highly appreciated by the audience.
Following this, the main Haiku Mushaira commenced, featuring participation from distinguished poets, including Dr. Jamal Naqvi, Yasir Chughtai, Akhtar Saeedi, Syed Meraj Jami, Syed Anwar Javed Hashmi, Wazahat Naseem, Shadab Ehsani, Naseem Nazish, Zeb-un-Nisa Zebi, Shahida Israar, Shahzad Niaz, Rubina Tahseen Bina, Shair Ali Shair, Nadeem Naqvi, Afroz Rizvi, Tahir Azeem, Hameeda Kashish, Sehar Ali, Shazia Alam Shazi, Dr. Abeda Ghanghro, Naheed Azmi, Sadaf Bint-e-Izhar, Kazunori Matsuda, Sarwar Shamal, Syed Muhammad Shahid, Shah Fahad, and Shaukat Kamal Cheema.
A unique and captivating aspect of the mushaira was the presentation of Haiku in Seraiki and Sindhi languages by Shahzad Niaz and Dr. Abda Ghanghro, respectively.
After the event, Mr. Muhammad Ahmed Shah highlighted the past literary, academic, and cultural collaborations between Pakistan and Japan, acknowledging the strong partnership between PJCA Sindh, the Consulate General of Japan Karachi, and the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi. He also assured full support from the Arts Council for future events of this nature.
Ms. Wazahat Naseem conducted the event with grace and eloquence. The audience wholeheartedly applauded PJCA Sindh, the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, and the Consulate General of Japan Karachi for organizing this remarkable literary event, further strengthening the bond of friendship between Pakistan and Japan.
