The Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi hosted a remarkable book launch event for “Makaalmat-e-Irfan,” the latest work by renowned poet, writer, and artist Irfan Murtaza. Held at the Haseena Moin Hall, the event was organized under the auspices of the Literary Committee (Fiction).
The ceremony was presided over by eminent poet, researcher, and educationist Dr. Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui, with several distinguished personalities sharing their insights into the work. Among the notable attendees were President of the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi Mohammad Ahmed Shah, Syed Farasat Rizvi, Dr. Rukhsana Saba, Akhtar Saeedi, Khalilullah Farooqi, and Akhlaq Ahmad.
The event was skillfully moderated by Shakeel Khan. A special showreel showcasing Irfan Murtaza’s artwork was presented during the event, highlighting his exceptional talent as a painter. Mohammad Ahmed Shah praised Murtaza for his ability to express his restlessness through both colors and words.
He also acknowledged Murtaza’s role in preserving the Urdu language while living in Los Angeles. Dr. Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui lauded Murtaza’s multifaceted personality, emphasizing his contributions to Urdu literature despite being based in the United States. He commended Murtaza’s success as an international artist and noted that his conceptual dialogues in the book offer a fresh dimension to the visual arts. “True creative expression arises when internal and external struggles are reconciled,” Dr. Siddiqui remarked. Akhlaq Ahmad, Chairman of the Literary Committee (Fiction), expressed admiration for Murtaza’s conceptual dialogue, recognizing it as a unique literary form. Dr. Rukhsana Saba elaborated on the simplicity of dialogue, pointing out that “Makaalmat-e-Irfan” touches on various issues such as individual, social, political, and economic matters. She highlighted that the dialogues in the book are a reflection of harmony and mutual respect.
Khalilullah Farooqi praised the imaginative foundation of literature, poetry, and creative art, stating that the book’s portrayal of thirty-two renowned personalities offers readers a sense of conversing directly with these figures. Akhtar Saeedi admired the book’s alphabetical arrangement, which allows readers to engage with fictional characters as if they were real individuals. Irfan Murtaza, in his closing remarks, expressed his heartfelt thanks to the audience and shared his belief that a person’s tone conveys emotions more than words alone. He also expressed his deep affection for Karachi, his city of origin, and thanked Ahmed Shah for launching his book.
