Srinagar : As part of 8th Hamidi Kashmiri Memorial Annual Urdu lecture, Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE), University of Kashmir, organized an extension lecture on the theme ‘Mustand Hai Mera Farmaya Hua: Distinctive Features of Mir Taqi Mir’s Poetry.’
The event featured Dr. Taqi Abedi, an internationally recognized scholar from Canada, as the keynote speaker. Dr. Abedi, known for his extensive contributions to Urdu and Persian literature, has authored over 80 books and numerous research papers.
Dr. Abedi highlighted the important features of Mir’s Urdu ghazals vis-à-vis his contemporary poets and successors in his interactive lecture. He also discussed the Mir’s lasting impact on the poets of 19th and 20th centuries. “Mir’s Urdu ghazals stand out for their emotional depth and style,” he noted. In his remarks, Prof. Hameed Naseem Rafiabadi highlighted the significance of Mir’s poetry. “Mir’s poetry captures deep human emotions and provides timeless wisdom that still speaks to us today,” he said. This literary session was presided over by Dean, School of Open Learning, KU Prof. Mushtaq Ahmad while as the welcome address was delivered by Director CDOE, KU Prof. Showkat Ahmed Shah.
The proceedings of the event were conducted by Dr. Asma Bader, faculty at the department of Urdu, CDOE whileas Dr. Altaf Anjum also a faculty member at CDOE, KU introduced the guest speaker. The lecture was attended by various faculty members, scholars and students from CDOE.
Meanwhile Dr. Abedi also delivered another lecture titled ‘Bedil Ki Shayri Mein Insaan Dosti’ (Humanism in Bedil’s Poetry) organized by the Department of Urdu, University of Kashmir.
In his engaging lecture, Dr. Abedi provided in-depth insights into the relevance of Bedil’s poetry and delved into the humanistic aspects of Bedil’s poetry.
“Bedil’s poetry transcends time and offers universal lessons on human connection and understanding,” Dr. Abedi stated, highlighting how Bedil’s works resonate with contemporary issues like social and political discord.
Dr. Abedi also stressed on the importance of reinterpreting Bedil’s writings in today’s context, asserting that his works hold the potential to develop compassion and unity in a divided world.
Dean, Faculty of Arts, Languages, and Literature, KU Prof. Salah-ud-din Tak, in his remarks said, “Dr. Abedi’s work has enriched our understanding of Bedil’s philosophy, and I invite him to offer special lectures for the upcoming courses as well.”
Head, Department of Urdu, KU Prof. Aejaz Mohammad Sheikh, in his welcome address lauded Bedil’s role in shaping both Persian and Urdu poetry. “Bedil’s exploration of mysticism and humanism remains a cornerstone of literary thought,” he noted.
