
By Our Correspondent
KARACHI: Renowned poet, writer, and professor Sahar Ansari has described Zeb Azkar Hussain’s experimental novel “Bandobast” as a meaningful addition to Urdu fiction.
Speaking at the book launch organised by the Dr Jamal Jalibi Research Library, Ansari said the novel represents a significant development in Urdu literature, offering a mature expression that uniquely combines prose and poetry—a technique not seen before in Urdu fiction.
Guest of honour Najma Usman praised the characters in the novel, describing them as symbolic and metaphorical, and noted that such an extensive experimental approach had not previously been undertaken in Urdu literature.
Dr Arshad Rizvi said that “Bandobast” surpasses several modern English novels and that such a novel had never been created in Urdu before. He added that it goes far beyond classics such as Abdullah Hussain’s “Udaas Naslein” and Bano Qudsia’s “Raja Gidh.”
Dr Rana Khalid described the novel as a peerless experiment and congratulated Zeb Azkar Hussain for his achievement. The library also encourages MPhil and PhD students and regularly organises events for notable publications, providing introductions to recently published books.
Alongside a large number of university students, prominent literary figures and scholars such as Dr Khawer Jamil, Professor Saeed Qadri, Quiz Master Ahmed Din, Mutriba Sheikh, Kamran Mughal, and Momin Khan Momin were also present. The ceremony concluded with a lavish refreshment arrangement for all attendees.
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