LAHORE: The 13th session of the current term of Halqa Arbab-e-Zauq was held at the Pak Tea House under the chairmanship of Hameeda Shaheen. Joint Secretary Shahzad Faramosh presented the proceedings of the previous meeting.
This special meeting served as a tribute to prominent poetesses Ada Jafri, Parveen Shakir, Fehmida Riaz, Nasreen Anjum Bhatti, and Samina Raja. Its second session, titled “Hawai-e-Taza” featured poetry recitations by young poetesses Fatima Mehro, Zeb-un-Nisa Wasiq, Kiran Muntaha, Mah-e-Noo, Asbah Nomina, Ayman Chaghi, and Anfal Rafiq, who were greatly appreciated by the audience.
Ambreen Salahuddin presented her paper titled *“Woman Poet, Identity, and Tradition”* on the five renowned poetesses. In her address, she paid homage to the aforementioned poetesses while discussing feminism, femininity, and patriarchal oppression, supported by references from their poetry.
The chairperson remarked that women critics have been relatively few in number, and therefore, expectations should be pinned on Ambreen Salahuddin in this regard. She also welcomed the fresh breeze of new poetic voices.
Later, Secretary Aftab Javed thanked the guests and participants. Hameeda Shaheen, Ambreen Salahuddin, Khufrah Rizvi, and the poetesses collectively placed a portrait of Nasreen Anjum Bhatti among the hall of famers at the Tea House.
Reported By: Shahzad Framosh I Lahore
