Breaking the shackles

Report Khalid Parvez

BOONI, May 20, 2011: ‘Frailty thy name is woman’, an olden days refrain from Shakespeare got negated at a book launching ceremony organized by Anjuman Tarqi-e-Khowar, Booni chapter, at Paragon College of Commerce and Management Sciences, when a daughter of Chitral Rahima Naz came up with a romantic collection of free verses and ghazals under the title of “Lala-e-Kohsaar”.

The author, who belongs to a beautiful village of Chitral, Ayun, has become a torch-bearer for the rest of the women in Chitral by knocking the shackles of conservatism prevailed in our society where women are usually considered lesser human beings. The compilation has given a positive image to Chitrali woman folk at a critical juncture when the rate of suicide is on the rise among them in the valley.

The ceremony was presided over by Amin Afzal, President Ismaili Regional Council for upper Chitral, while DCO Rehmatullah Wazir was the chief guest on the occasion. The latter eulogized the people of Chitral for keeping pace with the trends of time and for their love with literary activities.

He quoted verses from the poetic collection of legendary mystic poet Rehman Baba and also recited verses from his own collection. Later, he announced a grant of Rs10,000 for the poetess.

Other speakers on the occasion included Fazlur Rehman, Zafarullah Parwaz, Sarfaraz Ali, Syed Sardar Hussain, who applauded the poetic collection in glorious terms. It would not be an overstatement if we call her “Parveen Shakir” of Chitral, stated another speaker Atta Hussain Athar, a prominent local columnist.

It is pertinent to mention that the poetic collection of Rahima Naz consists of 20 free verses and seven ghazals.

The preface of the book has been written by Brig. Khalid Nazeer and Prof. Shamsun Nazar Fatimi. In view of the hectic efforts of the poetess, Mr. Fazlur Rehman and Amir Afzal extended to her financial assistance of Rs10,000 each as a token of encouragement.

The gathering was also attended by a large number of women. The ceremony concluded on a positive note amidst thundering applause of the participants.



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