KARACHI: The Anjuman-i-Sadaat-i-Amroha hosted on Sunday evening at its community centre an event titled Nashist-i-Iftikhar with eminent poet Iftikhar Arif, who was in Karachi from Islamabad for a couple of days. Speaking on the occasion, Iftikhar Arif said years ago he had taken part in quite a few mushairas at the Anjuman. Highlighting the importance of Amroha in his personal life, he said two brothers from the city taught him in his school days. “People talk a lot about Lucknow’s culture, but not many realise that the people who lived in cities in close proximity to Lucknow — Amroha, Malihabad, Khairabad, Kakoor — have achieved a lot more in literature and erudition,” he said. Mr Arif informed the guests that he’s now 80 years of age. “I have a daughter. Two years back I said to her that I’m 78-year-old. I have come to know that I will definitely live until 80. Now that I look back, I see the roadmap that I followed in my life. One of the meanings of taqdeer (fate) is to reveal or disclose. When things unfold one by one before you, it’s called taqdeer. It felt that there a roadmap for me had been set — I’ll acquire education, get employed at radio, TV, then join a bank after which I’ll become chairman of the Academy of Letters, etc.” In latter half of the event, Mr Arif recited his poetry which was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience. He started off with his famous ghazal: [Pedigree, fame and education mean nothing In this world of needs, the needy have no dignity] Earlier, Arts Council President Ahmed Shah, who was the chief guest, said that he was invited to a function at a venue which he had been visiting from his younger days. “In the past, there used to be a large space here where now schools stand… mushairas were held in which all prominent poets from India and Pakistan took part. Poetry lovers attended those mushairas in the thousands. The people of Amroha had brought their culture into this city from India. Great individuals were associated with this tehzeeb such as Rais Amrohvi, Syed Mohammad Taqi, Jaun Elia, Iqbal Mehdi, Kamal Amrohvi and Sadequain, the artist. Sadequain became the identity of this country. Those who hold the reins of the Anjuman today must know what distinguished posts they are holding.” He said most of the poets, writers and artists who migrated to Karachi settled in neighbourhoods such as Nazimabad and Liaquatabad. “Iftikhar Arif bhai also lived in Nazimabad No 3. So I learned a great deal by sitting next to these individuals. When I was born, Karachi was a beautiful city. There were spots that remained open all through the night. Poets, writers and artists used to gather at those spots. There were the likes of Salim Ahmed, Shaukat Siddiqui and Jamal Panipati at whose places people would come, discuss various subjects and learn. Amroha played a major role in it.” About Mr Arif the president of the council said he’s one of those confident poets who quotes couplets of younger poets to promote them at events. Since Mr Arif was born in Lucknow, Mr Shah remarked: “We are happy that today Amroha has invited Lucknow...” Anjuman president Syed Sajid Raza welcomed the distinguished guest.