Book Discussions, Cultural Dialogues, and Performances Mark Vibrant Evening at Adab Festival Pakistan

  By: Aziz Khatri

  Karachi: The second day of the Adab Festival in Pakistan opened with a dynamic book discussion titled “A New Wave of Creativity in Urdu Literature.” The session featured four prominent works. Poet Inaam Nadeem began the evening by discussing his book “Tasveer Mein Chalta Aadmi” in conversation with Afzal Ahmed Syed and Johar Mehdi. This was followed by poet Nasira Zuberi’s “Be-Mausami Khwahishain,” examined alongside Firasat Rizvi. Najeeba Arif’s “Makhota” was explored with Kiran Singh, while Syed Kashif Raza concluded the session by discussing his book “Gul-e-Dugana” with Tanveer Anjum.

The programme continued with an insightful session titled “Yasmeen Lari: Ending Poverty in Post-Flood Communities, One Million at a Time.” Yasmeen Lari was joined by Syed Rafi Ahmed and Sheema Syed for a thought-provoking conversation on community uplift and post-disaster rehabilitation.

One of the most popular events of the day, “Mirror to Society: The Journey of Pakistani Film and TV Dramas,” drew a large and enthusiastic audience. The panel featured well-known figures, including Hina Bayat, Arshad Mehmood, Ali Khan, Ayesha Toor, Junaid Khan, and Misbah Khalid, with Khalid Anam moderating. Even after the discussion concluded, admirers continued to gather for photographs with their favourite artists.

A distinctive multilingual session, “Tiding from the Trees,” unfolded simultaneously in English, Urdu, and Punjabi. Introduced by Raheela Bokhari and sponsored by Faysal Bank, it stood out as a striking celebration of linguistic diversity.

In another parallel session, Hameed Haroon discussed Mian Raza Rabbani’s book “The Smile Snatchers: A Timeless Tale of Children, Resistance and Hope in Gaza” with the author, reflecting on themes of struggle, resilience, and humanity.

The festival’s concluding discussion, “Anti-Socials on Social Media,” brought together Nadeem F. Paracha, Zarrar Khuhro, and Shehzad Ghias. The speakers delved into satire, political commentary, and the evolving dynamics of the digital age. They highlighted the growing influence of satire as a medium of critique and shared insights on navigating authenticity amid algorithm-driven platforms and the pressures of online virality.

Simultaneously, the launch of “The Gulgee Museum: The Handbook,” compiled by John McCarry, drew attention to the preservation of Gulgee’s artistic legacy. The panel included Nasreen Khawaja, Neelofar Farrukh, Bina Shah, Adam Fahey-Majid, Tara Azra Dawood, and McCarry, underscoring the enduring significance of the celebrated painter’s work.

A captivating live performance by Jamal Aashiqeen, Aamina Khan, Faran Qureshi, and Farooq Shahab followed, enchanting the audience under the skilled moderation of Amin Gulgee.

The day concluded on a lively note with a musical concert by Saif Samejo, bringing together artists, participants, and visitors in a jubilant finale.

Founded by Ameena Saiyid and the late Asif Farrukhi, the tenth edition of the Adab Festival Pakistan once again upheld its mission to promote reading, dialogue, creative engagement, and cultural harmony. The second day reinforced the festival’s role as a dynamic platform for ideas, artistic expression, and community participation in Pakistan.