LAHORE  –  The Lahore Arts Council Alhamra organised a commemorative event to mark the 100th birth anniversary of renowned Urdu poet Nasir Kazmi, whose distinctive poetic voice continues to hold a prominent place in modern Urdu literature.

The keynote address was delivered by eminent playwright, columnist, and academic Professor Dr Asghar Nadeem Syed, who offered an insightful overview of Nasir Kazmi’s life, literary stature, and intellectual depth. He recalled Kazmi’s birth in Ambala, his deep emotional attachment to Lahore, and how the city became an enduring presence in his poetry. Dr Syed also shared literary anecdotes linking Kazmi with prominent figures such as Intizar Hussain, Hassan Askari, Sufi Tabassum, Hamid Akhtar, and Kishwar Naheed.

Reflecting on Kazmi’s creative sensibilities, he noted the poet’s fondness for birds, pigeons, quiet streets, and nocturnal solitude, elements that shaped the melancholic beauty and subtle emotional resonance of his verse. He also referred to literary spaces such as the historic Pak Tea House, which played a vital role in nurturing Kazmi’s literary journey. On the occasion, Chairman Alhamra Razi Ahmed said that Alhamra remains committed to promoting meaningful literary dialogue and paying tribute to towering figures of Urdu literature through such intellectual gatherings.

Executive Director Alhamra Muhammad Nawaz Gondal, along with noted columnist Sarwat Moheyuddin, Sheeba Alam, and other literary personalities, also attended the event, lending it scholarly and cultural significance. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of a souvenir to Professor Dr Asghar Nadeem Syed, marking the centenary celebrations of Nasir Kazmi and reaffirming Alhamra’s role as a vibrant platform for preserving Pakistan’s literary heritage.