A reference event was organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) to pay a glowing tribute to Dr Enver Sajjad on Monday. The event was attended by noted literary figures and friends of Dr Sajjad who expressed their heartfelt tributes for the late writer.
Dr Enver Sajjad was a multi-talented and dynamic personality, who raised his voice for the marginal and oppressed class of the society. Through his literary critique and artwork, Dr Sajjad highlighted the critical issues of injustice, during the dictatorship regime of Zia and was also held captive.
Renowned Urdu Poet Kishwar Naheed shed light on the life and struggles of Dr Enwer Sajjad, particularly, during the martial law era, when the writings of Dr Enver Sajjad and other literary critics and progressive writers were not published. She said Dr Sajjad’s domestic life also suffered at the hands of his wife ‘Ratti’ who played a pity role in ruining his life. She said Dr Sajjad wrote many prominent plays for PTV and made great contributions to arts and literature.
SDPI Executive Director Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri said sustainable development and sustainable societies cannot be accomplished and achieved without the contributions of such notable literary figures. He said Dr Enver Sajjad fought and struggled for social justice and equality in society through his writings and acting, whose contributions cannot be ignored. Now it is the responsibility of the civil society to carry forward his work, he added. Our young generation must be familiar with the struggle and contributions of such great literary figures, he remarked.
Progressive Intellectual/Social Commentator Dr Naazir Mahmood said the artistic and literary works of Dr Enver Sajjad stretched over a period of time. He said Dr Sajjad was one of those progressive writers who always informed and warned the society through his writings about the forthcoming destructions and difficult times. He said his writings, particularly, Chauraha, Janam Roop, Khushiyon Ka Bagh, Neeli Note Book, Talash-e-Wajood, ZardKunpal and Rasi ki zanjeer were masterpieces. The departure of such a rare literary figure was a massive loss to our society, he added.
SDPI Senior Advisor Education & Religious Diversity Ahmed Salim said there was a need to acknowledge the work of our great literary personalities. He said Dr Sajjad’s play writings, short stories, fiction stories and novels reflected the stark realities of the society and his contributions in the field of literature cannot be ignored and shall always be remembered, he added.
Fiction Writer Hameed Shahid said the departure of Dr Enver Sajjad was a big tragedy. He played many characters which included an actor, a novelist, a practising doctor of Chuna Mandi, a play writer, a fiction writer, a progressive and moderate personality, a political activist and a short story writer. His short stories, including Cinderella, Pathar Laho aur Kutta or Keekar made real ground assessment of the society which enhanced the interest and understanding of the readers about the socio-political reality of the society, he added.
Progressive Writer Ishfaq Salim Mirza expressed his thoughts on Dr Sajjad’s translated work– ‘Neeli Notebook’ (The Blue Notebook – a novella by the Russian poet and writer Emmanuil Kazakevich 1913 – 1962). He said the book describes real-life characters who were fighting against one of the most oppressive regimes in the world.
SDPI Urdu Editor and Research Fellow Dr Humaira SDPI said struggle of Dr Enver Sajjad was for the peace and well-being of the society. She said Dr Sajjad not only touched serious societal topics but also discussed issues related to sustainable development. The short stories such as Keekar and Mujy Saans Lainy Do shed light on the collective role of society, she added.
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