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ISLAMABAD, Dec 04 (APP):Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL), under its well-known literary series “Meet the Writers,” has hosted a special session titled “Muqalma with Sarmad Sehbai” to honor the remarkable contributions of the renowned poet, writer, dramatist, filmmaker, and intellectual Sarmad Sehbai.
The event was held at the Sheikh Ayaz Conference Hall of PAL, drawing a large number of writers, poets, and literary personalities from Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and other cities.
Chairperson of PAL, Prof. Dr. Najeeba Arif, delivered the opening remarks, welcoming participants and acknowledging the distinguished presence of senior literary figures. She recited selected verses from Sehbai’s celebrated ghazal “Banati hai nazar tasveer-e-aab ahista ahista.”
The dialogue formally began with remarks by Shahid Masood and Akhtar Usman, who briefly spoke about Sehbai’s multifaceted personality and artistic contributions. The session was conducted by Munir Fayyaz, who introduced the guest of honor and engaged him in an in-depth conversation.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Arif described Sarmad Sehbai as an accomplished poet, dramatist, filmmaker, and intellectual whose diverse creative expression has earned him acclaim across generations. She invited attendees to participate in an informal exchange of ideas with the distinguished guest.
Recalling his four-decade-long association with Sehbai at PTV, Shahid Masood said he had learned immensely from him and considered their friendship both inspiring and rewarding.
Akhtar Usman discussed Sehbai’s poetic qualities, emphasizing the uniqueness of his creative voice. He described Sehbai as a “major cultural figure of the subcontinent” who never compromised the dignity of others.
In response to questions, Sarmad Sehbai said that his artistic journey was never driven by elaborate planning but by inner creative force and self-confidence. He noted that he never confined himself to a single form of expression and remained open to learning at every stage.
Discussing contemporary poetry, he observed that “our poetry has suffered from uniformity,” stressing the need for individuality and diversity — qualities he believes are reflected in his own work.
Addressing the creative process, Sehbai advised young writers to internalize the structure and form of their work, saying that true justice to creativity can only be achieved when the author makes technique a part of their sensory experience. He added that adopting this approach had enabled him to write across forms without difficulty.
He also remembered his teacher, Dr. Nazir Ahmed, praising his compassionate and humble personality. Speaking about his association with PTV, Sehbai shared mixed memories and highlighted the institution’s important role in promoting Pakistan’s regional cultures.
Sehbai appreciated the Academy’s efforts in promoting Pakistani languages and cultures, especially mentioning Dr. Najeeba Arif’s recent visits to Quetta and Karachi to engage with local writers and cultural practitioners.
Prominent literary figures — including Kishwar Naheed, Muhammad Hameed Shahid, Shahid Masood, Farakhanda Shamim, Hassan Abbas Raza, Dr. Salahuddin Darwaish, Mazhar Shahzad Khan, Imran Jahangir, Rahmat, Mehboob Zafar, and others — also shared their thoughts on Sehbai’s life, creative vision, contributions to literature, film direction, and guidance for younger generations. Sehbai responded to their questions with detailed and insightful answers. At the audience’s request, he recited selected pieces of his poetry, earning enthusiastic applause.
At the conclusion, Prof. Dr. Najeeba Arif presented a bouquet to Sarmad Sehbai, while Akmal Shahzad Ghumman gifted him a beautifully crafted portrait.