Writers, thinkers delve into culture, human rights, the evolving role of AI in creative arts
HYDERABAD:
The 11th edition of the annual Ayaz Melo, named after iconic 20th-century Sindhi poet Shaikh Ayaz, began with its customary pomp and grandeur at Khanabadosh Writers Cafe in Hyderabad. Spanning three days at the children’s park of the Sindh Museum, the festival blends music, intellectual discourse, and literary appreciation, covering topics ranging from culture and art to society, democracy, and human rights.
As Prof Dr Arfana Mallah, one of the two chief organisers of the event besides Prof Amar Sindhu, conducted the proceedings, the literati expatiated upon the intricacies of literature and human life while Ayaz’s work drew plaudits. Dr Asghar Nadeem Syed, the playwright who shared his views through a video link from Lahore, believed that Ayaz’s poetry is imbued with a metaphor which helped aficionados of literature from other languages to relate with his poetic convictions.
For him literature, philosophy, political ideologies and folk songs are striking features of Ayaz’s poetry. The poet also instilled nationalist feelings among his readers.
The Sindh Culture Minister Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah credited the poet for translating poetry of the sufi saint Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai. He expressed hope that UNESCO is likely to enlist the archaeological site Bhanbhore in Thatta district in its heritage list after having recently declared ancient musical instrument of Moen Jo Daro, ‘Boreendo’, a cultural heritage.
The dramatist Mehtab Akbar Rashdi asked the provincial government to implement the Sindh Assembly’s resolution which had envisaged the establishment of Ibrahim Joyo Institute of Translation, named after another renowned Sindhi literary figure. She espoused the notion of translating Sindhi literature in all major languages.
Writer Taj Joyo praised Bhitai for narrating the ordeals of women, labours and peasants in his works, and Ayaz for carrying forward the legacy of Bhitai.
Songs of politics
Journalist Wusatullah Khan, moderating the session, broached the discourse questioning ‘do we live in a state or in a laboratory.” Farnood Alam, political analyst, responded saying the question contained the answer. “[The system] also features dry cleaning besides the musical chair,” he jibed. “All politicians are washed in this laundry.”
Referring to two religio-political organisations, he wondered even such entities can become registered with the Election Commission of Pakistan. “If we dare to speak the truth, the national security becomes exposed to threats. Lies, at the same time, post no threats.”
He went on to criticise the state saying that the national interest seem to be dependent on broken roads, bad governance and war. He lampooned politicians for their alleged connivance to reduce the status of the parliament to the chamber of commerce as political decisions are taken elsewhere.
Journalist Muneeze Jehangir criticised the recent piece of legislation which has allowed the law enforcement agencies to detain suspects for two to three month. She expressed fear that the law will be misused in Balochistan. Writer and intellectual Javed Qazi contended that a hybrid democracy is evident in the current dispensation. “Now tribalism and feudalism have become rejuvenated.”
Changing scenario of HR
Ghazi Salahuddin, senior journalist, also found fault with the rules for shrinking space of freedom of speech even in the educational institutions. “Democracy is being stifled by legislative amendments [in the constitution],” he argued. “Journalism in the past created awareness but today it is enfeebling people.”
AI and creative art
Discussing the topic artificial intelligence and creative art, Urdu writer Nasir Abbass Nayyar said the AI may incorporate a sea of knowledge and information, it is devoid of human feelings. “This machine cannot narrate emotional pain.” He believed that AI is both advantageous and disadvantageous for writers, poets and journalists. “It can become a threat to creative art.”
